John Bowen Synth Design

midiwhale wrote: So, I think the only sensible choice is to have end cheek options, and end cheeks that third parties can build. That way you can "personalise" your keyboard (and buy replacement end cheeks if they get damaged).

Funny you should say that, as I also had this in mind, and in fact, I've already had some discussions with a wood supplier who is interested in providing custom end panels from a selection of woods. If so, I would post a page showing the selection of wood types, and then you could specify your choice. This way one could have a more customised instrument.
The only thing is that the cost would run a little bit more....

It does seem that the overall vote, no matter which color of case, is to have wood sides, not aluminium, which will make things easier for production.

-john b.

I'm one of the few who would like the aluminum option.I know i'm the minorty on this one but the aluminum seem's more sleek and robust "sorry i grew up with metal and plastic looking synths" i fall in the middle i like as much control panel information possible knobs,slider's in a dark modern looking casing.

Personally once i have one on my work desk i'm happy......but really i love the lighter colour w/ wooden ends, it has a more classic, and i think it maybe easier to see the labels in less lighted situations....only my 2 cents

cheers

Hi!

I’m woteing for a dark panel and aluminum side’s ála Jupiter-8 and white screen print, much easier to see in a dark studio or on stage. Blue and purple buttons like the Jupiter-6 and knobs like the Prophet~5. I would go for another colour on the LED's. I have blue LED's on the PEK and thay are really disturbing when edeting or playing, whey are to bright.

Kind regards
Demokid

Hello everyone!

Please have a look here for some additional renditions of the side panels:

http://www.johnbowen.com/closeups2.html

-john b.

I think I would dash for the fourth one from the top: dark wood sides with light panel

It's now "just" a question of waiting for the end-of-the-year bonus

I've just cast my vote for the dark panel with aluminum sides. This configuration is the one that jumped out at me when I first saw pics from Musikmesse, and it's still the one I prefer now. However, I think part of this has to do with the fact that I don't like the colour of those wood panels. If there were options for different woods, in particular something darker, like cherry or mahogany, I think I could be quite satisfied with that. In the end, if aluminum is going to drive up construction costs more than a selection of different wood panels, then I'm all for the 'natural' look.

I like the look of the olive with aluminum. It would be unique in my studio. The anthracite with wood reminds me of my Obxa.

lotus-eater wrote:If there were options for different woods, in particular something darker, like cherry or mahogany, I think I could be quite satisfied with that.

I mentioned earlier in this thread that I was thinking of making an arrangement with a 3rd party woodworker to provide custom wood choices for the side panels. I think this way, you could get closer to what you would want.

cheers,
John B.

Hi All,

We are thinking now to make some change in these 2 contrasting colors. The olive color is hard to represent in the photos, but I'm moving away from it, thinking a lighter color (creme or off-white) would be better. Also, the darker one we may move closer to a black than the bluish tone you see in the photos.

Just to update everyone interested...

cheers,
john b.

+1 for going darker, black always looks classy on synths.

John Bowen wrote:Hi All,

We are thinking now to make some change in these 2 contrasting colors. The olive color is hard to represent in the photos, but I'm moving away from it, thinking a lighter color (creme or off-white) would be better. Also, the darker one we may move closer to a black than the bluish tone you see in the photos.

Just to update everyone interested...

cheers,
john b.

Awww.. say it ain't so!

I kinda dug the Dark Blue with the Wood panels. Kind of an Oberheim vibe!

The thinner panels is cool though, slim and trim with class is the way to go. Of course assuming the wood isn't particle board that will look like dung if it gets chipped!

dark with wooden sides....

I like the contrast of the dark one with the white fonts...makes it easy to read....the whitish one seems a little flush and the the secondary functions seem a little lost....

contrast is a good thing...

now looks wise...that white one looks amazing, the black one would be a bit more generic...but I believe functionality over aesthetics is important....thats why i like the wood and silver panels on the side to give it a modern or old school touch depending on the user but id go for black face....

I don't like the olive with or without wooden caps, to all the people I showed pictures of it, their comments were very... discouraging.

I would choose a very dark blue color (almost as the one available), white LCDs, white LEDs, white lines and white aluminium caps.

I voted for dark with aluminium caps.

Btw, none of these configurations has anything to do with the name.. Whatever..