Yesterday I wrote a post on the myth of flea market bargains when it comes to synth gear. Read what was my view on it HERE. In short: I didn't believe that it's possible to find these bargains. I got quite a few responses though, where people told me of their bargain stories. Now I have changed my mind and I have a busy weekend in garage sales, flea markets etc to look forward to. Here's some of the responses, interesting stories indeed:

From simplyanalogue

"I felt like you - for years. But looking back I realised I got my SH-09 for free (my highschool throwing out "useless crap" in the mid-90's), my 24-channel mixer (Hill Audio Remix for free if I picked it up at the storage facility - sure thing!) and a FZ-1 sampler (semi-working spare for my other).

But the Spring of this year brought the best story so far:

I've always dreamt the dream of finding a synth at my local recycling location. I've made sure to bring broken electronics each time to get the opportunity to look inside the electronics container. In April I stopped outside, stepped out and immediately saw a huge, tolex-clad case on the ground beside the container. I sat down beside it and saw the Yamaha logo and my heart started pounding. While searching further a guy working at the recycling station came up and I thought: "crap!" but he only said: "I understand you're curious. Apparently it has taken a bath...". After some inspection I replied: "What do the rules say - you're not allowed to remove stuff from here, right?". The man looked at me, smiling and said: "Let me reply like this... I'll be around the corner, busy with my broom."

I've never hurled a fully working Yamaha CP-35 into my trailer that quick before.

Now it resides in the studio, working like a charm and it's cosmetically well-kept too. I only miss the chrome legs...:DHere's a pic from the arrival in my kitchen:http://www.electronic-obsession.se/studio/sopfynd.jpg"

    From @ KirkBerserk via Twitter

Still jealous my ex found a Casio SK-1 for $1 at a garage sale while I was busy looking at lousy shoes. Sample FAIL!

From Neil Adrian Bates Nab via Facebook

I bought a Roland Juno 106 for £11.46 off a car boot but they wanted £15, it was all I had on me at the time. Thinking it would need a fixing I got it home and dusted it down it was in excellent condition and all the original factory presets were on it too. A true bargain in 2003.

From Dan Tearle via Facebook:

It does, I bought a Jupiter 4 and a Korg Micropreset for the grand sum of £30 for the pair. And they were in lovely condition!