Korg Forums

Slyster · Joined: 19 Jun 2019 Posts: 3

I just bought a great condition WS1 (Original Wavestation) and I love it! So fun to get a nice old hardware synth again after many years.. but I was surprised to see there is no backlight on the display. I was surprised since my good old M1 (sadly I sold 10 years ago) did.

SO.. did the first ones not have a backlight? Or is mine just burned out?

Anyone knowledgeable let me know... and if they DID have a backlight (or I can add one)... are the ones on ebay ok? I found a bunch for $28 or so.

Pete

HardSync · Platinum Member Joined: 07 Jan 2011 Posts: 794

Yeah, the LCDs are backlit. IIRC, I think the backlighting is integral to the display itself, so generally just replacing the display is the way forward. But the displays do tend to dim over time. In the late 90s, I replaced the displays on two of my three Wavestations, and 20 years later, they have very dim screens. Anyway, the display going bad is probably the most common issue with hardware Wavestations.

voip · Platinum Member Joined: 27 Nov 2014 Posts: 3772

The electroluminescent backlight behind the Wavestation LCD can be replaced separately and, like the original, will probably fade over time, and is relatively inexpensive. The LCD itself doesn't seem to fade. LED-backlit LCDs are more expensive, but the end result will not fade significantly.

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Slyster · Joined: 19 Jun 2019 Posts: 3

Rats so I guess it's just too old. I don't want to bother taking it apart. I was hoping maybe there was just a off/dim/bright setting somewhere in the menus.

Thanks so much!

holografique · Joined: 08 Jun 2019 Posts: 12

There are tons of available LED based replacement screens for the Wavestation (an A/D rack) that you can find online on Ebay or Reverb, and come in various colors and do not dim over time like the old CFL based screens do.

I recently replaced mine with a beautiful black text on white background and looks beautiful.

You do need to be prepared to spend about 1-2 hours taking the unit apart, but there's no soldering involved. Just time and patience. But well worth it.

deansum · Joined: 03 Nov 2020 Posts: 7

TELESIS BACKLIGHTS
P.O. Box 19015
Anaheim Hills, CA 92817
714-998-3001
http://backlights.telesisgear.com

I replaced mine several years ago. It was fairly simple.

This is where I got it and it wasn't very expensive. I have no idea if they are still in business

Slyster · Joined: 19 Jun 2019 Posts: 3

Thanks... but alas.. the site is gone.