Looking for VMS-80 /70 in the US

[jjgolden]

Hello,

1st post here on SSOLT.
I'm looking to acquire a vms-70 or preferably a vms-80.
(complete & working system)
Are there any leads to one for sale in the US?
I am an experienced engineer/cutter currently using a VMS-70.

Thanks for your time and any info you can provide.
JJ Golden
www.goldenmastering.com
Ventura, California.

[petermontg]

welcome

i think the place to try is al grundy

hope you find one

p

[jjgolden]

Thanks Peter. I know he's on of "The Guys" to go to.
Just got to find how to get in touch with him.
I might have an old phone number around here somewhere.
If you have his # handy would you PM me?

Best,
JJG

[opcode66]

Al is certainly the man to go to. I just got my VMS70 system from him. It is more than I was expecting.

I really doubt you will find a VMS80 system. I think there are maybe 4 in the continental U.S. Two of which are owned and operated by The Church of Scientology.

The rest are overseas. There were only about 50 of them made. Probably of the original 50 there are maybe 40 that are fully functional. A lot of them have been converted from DMM (cuting directly into metal plates) to cutting lacquers.

To have one shipped would be murderously expensive. The only VMS80's I've seen cost something on the order of $50K. Not sure what your budget is. A VMS70 system from Al will cost you $30K. A VMS70 that was not restored by Al will cost you $20K. Those are the going prices.

Hope you find a machine! If you can't get a number for Al let me know. I'll ask him if it's ok to pass number along to you.

Take Care,

Opcode66

[jjgolden]

Thanks Opcode66,

Yes, if you could ask him I'd appreciate it, you can PM me the number/email.
Thanks for the info as well.
I'm aware of the Scientology lathes, I know about their DMM's , I didn't know they had any 80s. I hear they're nearing completion of the time capsule project... we'll see.
I'm trying to avoid the shipping and exchange rate and overall expenses of an overseas purchase.
Euro is $1.40 today... aprox. 10k in exchange rate alone.

Thanks so much for your time,
JJG

[Aussie0zborn]

I know about their DMM's , I didn't know they had any 80s.

They have two VMS82 DMM lathes only.

I don't think you'll find a VMS80 in the USA and as Opcode mentioned the going rate is 50K easy. Some VMS80 parts are hard to get so the VMS70 seems a better bet for longevity. Good luck.

[concretecowboy71]

Talk to Albert. That is where I got mine.

Picked it up in March 2010.

Opcode's got the info.

[jjgolden]

Thanks everybody, I appreciate your input.

Any vms-80 owners/past users out there who have had a technical problem/issue?
and if so , what was it and what did it take to get it repaired/remedied?

These vms-80's are rare and to my knowledge more money to repair,
my hope is that they are solid enough to "keep on going."
I've been cutting on a vms-70/zuma for 12 years now and it's been really solid. Just changing belts,bulbs and some rubber parts. I'd love to move into the convenience features of a vms- 80 but in terms of dollars & sense this is 2010 not 1980....

Any Thoughts?

[jjgolden]

Is there anybody out there who could forward me contact info for Sean Davies?

Thanks so much,

JJG

[mossboss]

will pm you with it Cheers

[Nickou]

If you find any neumannlathe , 66/70 or am 32 , and install a ultrapitch on it , you will have a lathe wich will give results as good than a 80 , and if you are good probably better.

we did the tests with a 80 and a am32 with ultra pitch , and the old lady won !

So , there is a lot of possibility to make a good working system with out having to find a vms80

[mossboss]

Nickou
This is very interesting indeed Where are you located by the way Cheers

[jjgolden]

Nikou,
Thanks, yea I am curious about that ultra pitch.I'm completely unfamiliar with it. Cool/interesting to know the results of your test.
I was always under the impression that the actual reaction time of the pitch motor and mechanics in the vms- 80 was much more precise with little to know lag time. I'll have to look into the ultra pitch to see how it retrofits to the 66's & 70's.
Thanks for the post,
JJG

[Dub Studio]

http://www.proaudioeurope.com/index.php?id=22&entryId=4343&catId=647

[jjgolden]

Thanks Dub Studio, Good to know.
First vms-70 I've seen with duct tape on the overhead vacuum tube :>)
Any Idea of what they're asking?

Appreciated,
JJG

[opcode66]

JJG - Think you want to look for VMS systems on this side of the pond. To crated and ship from oversees would be very expensive (600 pounds or so). And you would risk messing up a variety of the parts. When there was a distributor (Gotham Audio) this was much more feasible. These days, it would be tough and expensive.

Waiting to hear back from Al before passing his cell phone number off to you via PM.

[TotalSonic]

JJ - I just sent you Al Grundy's contact info to your inbox on this message board.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[jjgolden]

Opcode,

Tried sending PM but not sending for some reason..
Thanks for the input. That's one of my concerns for an overseas purchase.
I have Al's info now. He's at AES this weekend.
I'll be there tomorrow, might bump into him...
Best,
JJG

[jjgolden]

Thank you so much Steve, got your message but having trouble with the PM not sending.... not sure if you're getting them.?

Best,
JJG

[Dub Studio]

Thanks Dub Studio, Good to know.
First vms-70 I've seen with duct tape on the overhead vacuum tube :>)
Any Idea of what they're asking?

Appreciated,
JJG

No idea, let us know if you find out