Considered to be quite a rare find, particularly in this part of the world (Halifax, Nova Scotia), this string synth from 1977 may not be considered to be one of the classics but it's distinct sound does feature in a number of songs from the late 70's to the mid 1980's. Most people will of course know the 1980 (almost) chart-topping 'Vienna' by Ultravox but would they realise how heavily the Yamaha SS-30 string sound features? Would they even care? I doubt it but that very distinctive lush string wash in the chorus, (alongside the thumping synthetic Dum dum. Dum dum dum dum drum intro and Billy Currie's haunting piano) is arguably the sound of 'Vienna'. The sound of the SS-30 is also very much at the forefront in 'The Voice' (1981) and 'Reap the Wild Wind' (1982). Suprisingly Ultravox continued to use this ageing keyboard until around 1984. Noteable tunes by other artists of the period include...