Roland Juno-60
Early 80's synthesizer (the golden years of synthesizers, in my opinion, especially for Roland) that was analog with digital controlled oscillators, like the Juno-106. Considered to be warmer sounding than the Juno-106, but otherwise very similar. Pre-midi but easily retrofitable. Also features on-board apreggiator.
Average Advertised Price:
$200 to $400
Jetboy's Humble Opinion Of Worth:
$325 is a fair price. They're pretty common to come by.
Jetboy's Review: It's a early 80's Roland, it's a Juno, how can you go wrong... I'm embrassed I don't own one...
Scott Belgarde at SBelgarde@compuserve.com writes: This was my first synth, bought in 1984 it from a guy upgrading to the DX7. He regretted selling the Juno and always wanted to buy it back. No such luck! While I was bummed when the 106 came out a few months later with MIDI, I've since discovered that I prefer the 60's sound, it does strings like nobody's business! My Juno 60 has survived many moves (I was in the Army)and still looks great and I've never had a problem that a little compressed air didn't fix. I've never changed anything in it. I wouldn't trade or sell her for anything. Other than the lack of MIDI, the only fault I see in it is a lack of portamento. It's a great synth and still my favorite.
Christian Johnson with the really long email address of stu0000051722@stumail.western.edu states: This unit was my first, too, except I got mine in 1995. I've got a Prophet 600 as well, but I like the arpeggio on the Juno 60 more. I spilled a beer on the patch buttons and now one of them is broken. Harsh.
velure at velure@onsitenj.com states with righteous prose: well...what can i say...the juno 6 is the best, then the 60. super fat sound. forget what i said about the 106, the 60 hooked up to my msq 700 via dcb is cool, but that arp. is wicked. you MUST get one. again...needs 2 lfos and cv in
Karoshi at karoshi@metronet.com amazes and delights us with: The Juno 60 is, well, what it is. It's warm and fat and fuzzy and really solid in the bass department. She's not the most versatile synth around-the chorus is so distinctive that you can't miss it. That being said, it's got a wonderful, punchy character that seems to be missing from the ROM-based boards today. It has NO trouble destroying speaker cones with its nice, rumbly bass.
jesse standing8 at s8@m7.sprynet.com gets a standing ovation for his following review: After touring all over the place and playing tons of punk shows with people banging into my juno 60, its still as perfect as the day i got it. it cost me $295 canadian and when the guy at the store told me how much it was my jaw hit the floor. in my band we use it with a 900 watt bass amp. the low bass with the double chorus sounds so damn good and the controls are so very easy to use while playing, i cant imagine ever parting with it. for the money, i cant imagine anything better.
Moy at moy7@tm.net.my has the review heard 'round the world: bought mine for around US$150 I am in Malaysia and wow the sound is wat I have been looking for saving up on those pricy analogue modelling synths and buying this is a blessing
PHOENIX at phoenixgood@hotmail.com knows that the bird is the word: A little birdy told me to buy it. A little birdy gives great advice. I am happier now with a Juno-60. Very happy.
Franko at franko_thesign@planet.nl the American who recieves signs from other planets writes: "I had been lookin' for a juno 60 for a long time, since the first time i saw and heared this synth i was in love ! I have one of my own now, but after a few years it's ill. Cause when i turn it on it makes noises that i never programmed, and it does all crazy things that i don't like? Is there anybody out there who's had the same problem and fixed it ? please e-mail your solution !"
Image of Juno-60 from Synthsite.