After many work making and preparing the documentation for the DIY format we can publish the first documents for the first batch of Antonus 2600 Original Scale version:
This project is going to mean something very special for those who want to live the experience of assembling an instrument of this level and on this scale. Obviously for those who know how the Antonus 2600 is manufactured, this is using thru-hole components respecting the original design and its components. Using original components, thru-hole, wiring… it’s not the easiest or cheapest way, but it will allow you to respect the original character, its sound, its behaviour and the sensation that the instrument transmits (something very special). Also, once the experience and result are over, the user has to feel the sensation of having built an original 2600. It will not be a kit for beginners, on the contrary it will be a kit for advanced people with experience in kitting for several reasons:
It is a very dense project as many components and many soldering points. If the user does not have a good experience, it can be chaos if user makes a mistake in positions, values, polarities or performs poor soldering.
Good tools are needed to assemble and calibrate. Being a device with many components, it is recommended to have good soldering equipment and, in case of mistakes, good equipment or desoldering techniques (very important point to avoid damaging PCBs).
Big work space. It’s a big device, very old school. I have no idea if there is a DIY project bigger than this, so it’s going to involve a large work surface. At first it can be assembled from small parts and then move on to the three motherboards that make up the 2600 panel. And then in the final stage the assembly of all the parts is carried out to later calibrate the entire equipment. If you do not have a good work table with good order and cleanliness, it can be quite complicated to assemble such device
And especially, a lot of patience. It is a project with many hours of work until reaching the end, so it is not recommended for impatient users who want to solve the project in a few days.
For all this reasons the first batch will be limited to 20 or 30 kits, as by the moment there is no building guide in a classic way. Anyone can find all the technical documentation, detailed with schematics, layouts, and BOM files but there is no the typical building guide with detailed steps and procedures that helps to non experienced builders. If the experience with the first batch goes well it will help to develop a building guide for bring access to less skilled builders to make this project. The first batch will be useful for design this future building guide. This limited small run will help to ensure that anyone have time and support from Antonus, because yes this a question of limitation of time for bring support, and need that every batch is limited in quantity to avoid overflow in support. Next batches with building guide developed will make possible to increase the units number x batch.
Being the first batch and the first time that Antonus goes into the DIY field this run will be useful for add many indications and instructions for further editions and help to make better documentation for allow more users levels. The Modwiggler thread will be very useful for document all the progress about that. https://www.modwiggler.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=275887
The internal build design is based just like the original with motherboards where the famous ARP submodules are connected. The module sockets have double footprints, to allow easy connection to both Antonus and ARP versions. Even the Antonus modules have the pins to be connected to the ARP boards. With this, total interconnection between ARP and Antonus is allowed. One can use Antonus modules to repair an old ARP2600 or use ARP modules on the Antonus 2600, demonstrating full compatibility between both instruments.
One important aspect of this project is the case itself:
We will offer two options:
The classic Tolex Road case replica of the original ARP2600. The most faithful option, and also the most pricey option in finish and shipping cost. This will be the most wanted version, but the price can be a inconvenient for many people to choose this option for finish the instrument.
That is why we are already starting to develop a case dedicated to the DIY version. The premises:
It has to be much more affordable than the Tolex case, less than half the price.
That it can be supplied disassembled for a more economical and efficient transport when sent by courier, so again there is money saving here with transport.
Easy to assemble.
Build quality and stability.
Follow the design inspiration of the ARP2600
Must allow the installation of Step Brother units in top of the unit using the vertical brackets, like the classic Antonus system.
There is some pictures of the development of this cabinet, if all the thing goes well with the first prototype we estimate to have the design finished and ready for distribution during October 2023.
For this first batch of kits the selling points will be:
1- Antonus directly using contact form
Later in next batches will add some dealers for distribution.
For this first run the DIY options are:
Front Panel Antonus 2600 OS panel kit:
Antonus 2600 front panel greay face model (soon available the orange black model)
Included slider dust filters,
Side panels for CV MIDI interface
Side panel for AC in and balanced outs
Wood frame for speaker
Price: 300 euro the Grey Face panel option / 350 euro the Orange-ARP panel option
Antonus 2600 OS FULL PCBs SET:
x3 Main Boards
x9 sub module boards
x2 boards power supply
x1 side panel board
x1 multiple board
x1 power switch board
Price : 350 euro
Electronic parts kit (full) :
Full kit of all parts, electronic, mechanical and electro mechanical.
Including standard parts and rare parts. Also includes all the cables built, ready for connect.
You can save this kit it if you prefer to source yourself looking the BOM files and making your own cables. Evaluate the cost and time for this task and choose what is better for you. Or you can go for mixed solution using the partial kits, the rare parts kit and the cable kit.
Price: 1150 euro
Partial electronic kit rare parts:
If you want to source most of the parts and save the full kit but you prefer to have the most difficult part in one kit this is the solution: tempcos, rare transistors, lm301, ca046, etc. Check the excel file for description and details
www.antonus-synths.com/antonus2600/antonus2600os%20rare%20parts%20kit.xlsx
Price: 240 euro
Cable kit:
If you want to source most of the parts and save the full kit but you prefer to have all the cables built this is the kit for you. You will have all the cables built, with all the PCB sockets. Also included Reverb tank, Power ON OFF switch, Main transformer board full built and wired, AC connector. Front Lamp, XLR-Jack combo connectors, Speakers, Midi connectors.
Price: 215 euro
Tolex Roadcase option:
ARP2600 Tolex case style case ready for install all the kit.
Limited quantity x month, must be reserved / preorder
Price: 850 euro
Metal case kit option:
This kit is for the metal case. Delivered disassembled ready for for assembled for the user. Once assembled is ready for install panels and all the boards.
Price: 380 euro
Square knobs 2600 style for illuminated sliders, set of 58 pieces:
Price: 116 euro.
Duophonic MIDI to CV board:
This board comes built and programmed ready for install on the mainboard.
Price: 70 euro
KIT DOCUMENTS FOR DOWNLOAD
www.antonus-synths.com/antonus2600/antonus%202600%20DIY%20version.zip
This is the documentation available for build the project. Very important for users to verify that you have enough experience for build the unit using this documentation. There is no step by step building guide for this initial run. Will be added in future batches.
The BOM files have suggested source and part numbers. Anyone can purchase the full electronic kit for have all parts verified and all cables done, use any of the other partial kits (rare parts, and cables) Or other way if people prefer to source themelves and build the cables for save te price of kits, the BOM files have the details of parts for source it.
