A crucial data point comes from Sound on Sound magazine, which reported that Korg confirmed that serial number 100,000 rolled off the production line in November 1990 . This is the single most important fact for dating an M1, as it provides a concrete anchor point. This means an M1 with a serial number around 100,000 was almost certainly manufactured in late 1990.
For models like the M1, Korg generally used a single continuous sequence from 000001 to 999999 for the entire production lifespan. Production Milestones: 1988: Production begins.
Investing a few minutes into verifying an M1 serial number can save you significant money and maintenance headaches down the road. Korg M1 Serial Number
While not strictly the serial number itself, the revision of the M1R (rack version) is often tied to production batches. Early M1R units had a notorious issue where the internal backup battery was soldered directly to the board and prone to leaking acid, which would destroy the circuit traces. Later models (identifiable by serial/production batch) moved the battery to a holder, making it a "solid," maintainable feature.
If the rear sticker has peeled off or faded over time, check the bottom metal plate of the synthesizer. Some production batches featured an additional stamped or printed serial number on the underside near the keys. Internal PCB Stamps A crucial data point comes from Sound on
Before finalizing a purchase or evaluating your own Korg M1, document the following details alongside the serial number:
Unlike earlier Korg models that used a YYNNNN format (year followed by sequence), units from the M1 era (starting around 1983) typically followed a . Serial Number Location - Korg Forums For models like the M1, Korg generally used
key while turning the power on to see the firmware version (e.g., v1.19). Sound On Sound 2. Software M1 (KORG Collection / M1 Le)
Understanding the Korg M1 Serial Number: History, Location, and Dating Your Synth
The ability to decode a serial number to pinpoint the exact manufacturing date is a holy grail for vintage synth enthusiasts. For the Korg M1, the decoding process is often more of an art than an exact science, but it is certainly possible to make highly accurate estimations based on the number.
If you are looking for a "piece" of its history, the M1 is most famous for specific presets that defined late 80s and early 90s music: M1 Piano (Preset 01: Piano 16') : The definitive house music piano used in Madonna's " Vogue " and Black Box's "Ride on Time" [14, 23].
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