Roland · Drum machine · Pre-MIDI classics
Roland released the TR-808 Rhythm Composer in 1980 as a cheaper rival to the Linn LM-1, and it flopped. The Linn played samples of real drums, while the 808 built every sound from analog circuits, and buyers thought it sounded fake. Founder Ikutaro Kakehashi deliberately bought faulty transistors for its sizzling noise sounds, and production ended in 1983 when they could no longer be restocked, after about 12,000 were built. Cheap on the used market, it went on to Marvin Gaye's Sexual Healing, Afrika Bambaataa's Planet Rock, Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance With Somebody and Kanye West's 808s & Heartbreak. There's no MIDI. You get DIN sync, three trigger outputs and a separate output for each instrument, and plenty of 808s have had a MIDI kit fitted since. Writing in Sound On Sound, longtime owner Chris Carter noticed that no two 808s sound quite alike and that some need about 20 minutes to warm up. Judge one by a recording made once it's warm.
Dealers told Sound On Sound the 808 is reliable, but worn step buttons, dead LEDs and noisy pots come with age. The memory backup batteries can leak and corrode the battery compartment, and repair site Busted Gear also covers cracked internal ribbon cables and broken battery holders.
Buying guide
With only about 11 808s for sale the band is a rough read, and we'd start with the MIDI-modified one from UK dealer Soundgas at $8,487 delivered, inside the $6,875–8,900 band. The cheapest, at $5,007, is a 240V Australian unit with a custom faceplate, while the ones titled original or mint ask $10,000 and up. No title here claims a service, so ask for a video soloing every voice after 20 minutes warm, a photo of the battery compartment for leaks, and, on a MIDI-modded one, a clip of it running from MIDI. Skip the two zero-feedback sellers asking $6,885 and $8,012, since a new account asking thousands is a known scam pattern, and pay only through eBay checkout.
$5,006.92est. delivered
The lowest delivered 808 at $5,007, about $1,870 under the band. It's titled 240V and ships from Australia, so you'll need a step-up transformer on US mains, and the custom faceplate means the panel isn't stock.
Roland TR-808 Classic 80's Analogue Drum Machine W/ Custom Faceplate - 240V
$8,487.48est. delivered
A MIDI-modified 808 from UK dealer Soundgas for $8,487 delivered, inside the band, and MIDI makes it far easier to sequence. Ask what the mod covers, and check the voltage plate, since UK units usually run on 240V.
Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer (Soundgas Modified/Midi)
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 5, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Snapshot
Checked . Some may have sold.
Delivered prices include shipping as eBay quoted it to a US address on Oct 5, 2026. Many sellers charge by distance, so your total may differ. eBay shows yours before you pay.
Used$5,006.92est. delivered
$4,868.50 + $138.42 shipping
Buy It Now$4,868.50
Good buy
Titled 240V with a custom faceplate. Ships from Australia.
Seller: lofi_music
99.8% positive
Used$8,487.48est. delivered
$8,341.83 + $145.65 shipping
Buy It Now$8,341.83
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
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Good buy
Modified with MIDI by Soundgas, per the title. Ships from the UK.
Seller: soundgastechltd
100% positive
Used$5,449.99est. delivered
$5,299.99 + $150.00 shipping
Buy It Now$5,299.99
Our take
No test claim in the title. Ships from Japan, so check the voltage plate.
Seller: japanaudiogems
98.7% positive
Used$8,884.71est. delivered
$8,739.06 + $145.65 shipping
Buy It Now$8,739.06
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Our take
MIDI fitted, per the title, and the ask includes 20% UK VAT. Ask whether that comes off for a US buyer.
Seller: soundgastechltd
100% positive
Used$9,999.99+ shipping
$9,999.99 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$9,999.99
Our take
Titled original. About $1,100 over the band, and shipping isn't stated.
Seller: armen1959
99.7% positive
Used$6,885.32est. delivered
$6,752.91 + $132.41 shipping
Buy It Now$6,752.91
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Zero-feedback seller asking thousands, a known scam pattern. Pay only through eBay checkout.
Seller: ucheboyz
No feedback yet
Used$8,011.95est. delivered
$8,000.00 + $11.95 shipping
Buy It Now$8,000.00
This seller takes offers, and many sellers accept less than the asking price.
Fine if you might miss it? Send an offer first. Someone else can still buy it while you wait for a reply.
Want it for sure? Use Buy It Now.
Check the seller
Zero-feedback seller with a two-word title. Pay only through eBay checkout.
Seller: montenegroferre5
No feedback yet
Used$13,372.08est. delivered
$13,239.68 + $132.40 shipping
Auction · no bids yet · ends in 3d 15h
Priced high
Auction opening at $13,372 delivered, about $4,470 over the band. Its title nearly matches a listing from Japan, so compare photos.
Seller: vinnihtg
100% positive
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