1960s Ace Tone Rhythm Ace FR-2L Vintage Analog Drum Machine, Roland

Up for sale, a 1960s Ace Tone Rhythm Ace FR-2L Drum Machine in exceptional condition and in perfect working order. The FR-2L was a follow-up to 1965’s FR-1, the first drum machine to feature a transistor-based, fully analog construction as opposed to the rotating prepared disk/photoreceptor technology that had come prior. Both Rhythm Aces were invented by legendary Japanese engineer Ikutaro Kakehashi, who would go on to start Roland in roughly a decade and create some of the most iconic drum machines ever conceived.The FR-2L was specifically designed to fit comfortably atop an organ or keyboard and whittle some of its predecessor’s bulk into a more streamlined (3” tall) package. Both machines function virtually identically, wherein the user selects a classic rhythm from the 16 options and uses knobs to control Tempo and Volume. The Rhythm Ace was far more flexible than other drum machines of the era thanks to its ability to mute certain instruments thanks to the Cancel buttons. Additionally, the various preset Rhythm buttons could be pushed in any tandem combination, allowing for, as Ace Tone described upon release in ‘65, “unlimited variations.”The 16 rhythm presets are: March, Shuffle, Cha-Cha, Mambo, Samba, Rumba, Beguine, Tango, Swing, Foxtrot, Bossa Nova, Slow Rock, Rock n Roll, Western, Dixieland, and Waltz.Each is made up of some or all of the following 10 instruments: snare, bass drum, brushes, cymbals, conga, low bongo, high bongo, claves, maracas, and cowbell; with the ability to mute or “Cancel” cymbal, claves, and snare.The sound of this FR-2L is distinctly analog; with real warmth and depth but certainly still exhibiting all the charm of an early drum machine. The kicks are bassy and round, the snares are snappy, and the cymbals are somewhere between static and a handful of loose change. The Rhythm Ace also pairs well with modern effects thanks to its simple dual ¼” output design.The build quality and attention to detail on the unit is excellent, and it still feels solid from the wood housing to the built-in music stand. All the buttons press and depress without issue or binding. Cosmetic wear is limited to a few light scratches on the right side of the wooden housing, as well as a few minor dings on top. The inspection sticker is still present on the bottom of the housing.