Roland · Drum machine · Early MIDI era
Roland introduced the TR-909 in 1983 as the 808's successor, and it was a hybrid. Tadao Kikumoto's design makes the kick, snare, toms, rimshot and clap with analog circuits, while software engineer Atsushi Hoshiai sampled his own cymbals in 6-bit for the hi-hats, crash and ride. It was also Roland's first drum machine with MIDI. Buyers wanted the realistic LinnDrum instead, so Roland stopped production after about a year and 10,000 units and moved on to the all-sample TR-707. Used 909s got cheap fast, and Chicago and Detroit producers such as Frankie Knuckles, Derrick May and Jeff Mills built house and techno on them. Daft Punk later named a track Revolution 909. Service techs told Sound On Sound the 909 rarely turns up faulty. Roland changed some sounds in later production revisions, and some owners modify their machines to match the earlier ones. Its MIDI resets to Omni and internal sync at every power-up, so set it each session.
Service techs quoted by Sound On Sound said the 909 is stable and rarely needs repair. The main risk is the two AA memory backup batteries, which Roland told owners to replace every year because leaks cause trouble.
Buying guide
We'd buy the one from Japan titled maintained and tested at $6,680 delivered, just under the $6,825–8,025 band, or the one titled tested and fully functional at $6,861. About 15 are for sale, mostly from Japan, so check each voltage plate, and look for Late Model in a title, since Roland changed some sounds in later production. The two AA memory batteries are the 909's main risk, so ask for a photo inside the battery compartment and for a pattern saved, switched off and played back. Skip the zero-feedback sellers, especially the bare $5,500 listing that undercuts every working one, and the $13,373 UK auction, which opens about $5,350 over the band.
$5,315.00est. delivered
The lowest delivered complete 909 at $5,315, a no-bid auction from a US seller with about a day left at capture. The title is bare, so get a video of all 11 voices, and stop around $6,600 delivered, since one titled maintained and tested asks $6,680.
Roland TR-909 Rhythm Composer drum machine
$6,680.00delivered
Titled maintained and tested for $6,680 with free shipping, just under the band. It ships from Japan, so check the voltage plate, and ask what the maintenance covered, including the memory batteries.
Roland TR-909 Rhythm Composer Drum Machine Vintage Maintained Tested Used Japan!
$7,540.85est. delivered
Titled excellent with the original box at $7,541 delivered, mid-band, so the box carries little premium. It ships from Italy, so check the voltage plate for 230V, which needs a step-up transformer on US mains.
Roland TR-909 in excellent condition, with original box.
$2,689.87est. delivered
Titled "BAD SHAPE For Parts / Repair" at $2,690 delivered, about $4,135 under the band. Read the description first, as the seller asks, and price it as a repair job or a donor.
Roland TR-909 Rhythm Composer Drum Machine BAD SHAPE For Parts / Repair READ 1st
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$5,315.00est. delivered
$5,200.00 + $115.00 shipping
Auction · no bids yet · ends in 23h 36m
Good buy
No-bid auction with about a day left at capture. Bare title.
Seller: chercp
100% positive
Serviced$6,680.00delivered
$6,680.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$6,680.00
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.
Good buy
Titled maintained and tested. Ships from Japan.
Seller: asterisk_llc
99.6% positive
Used$7,540.85est. delivered
$7,315.75 + $225.10 shipping
Buy It Now$7,315.75
Good buy
Titled excellent, with the original box. Ships from Italy.
Seller: lucianoappo
100% positive
For parts$2,689.87est. delivered
$2,599.99 + $89.88 shipping
Buy It Now$2,599.99
Project piece
Titled bad shape, for parts or repair. Read the description first.
Seller: 123synthland
100% positive
Used$6,861.00est. delivered
$6,800.00 + $61.00 shipping
Buy It Now$6,800.00
Our take
Titled tested and fully functional. Ships from Japan.
Seller: mid_tom
100% positive
![ROLAND TR-909 Rhythm Composer (Late Model) [415398]](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/SX0AAeSwr9Jqw1Vn/s-l500.jpg)
Used$7,020.00delivered
$7,020.00 · free shipping
Buy It Now$7,020.00
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.
Our take
Titled Late Model, a later revision with some changed sounds. Ships from Japan.
Seller: ishibashimusic
100% positive
Used$13,373.39est. delivered
$13,240.99 + $132.40 shipping
Auction · no bids yet · ends in 2d 18h
Priced high
Auction opening at $13,373 delivered, about $5,350 over the band. Titled UK 240V.
Seller: vinnihtg
100% positive
Used$5,500.00+ shipping
$5,500.00 · shipping not stated
Buy It Now$5,500.00
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, a two-word title, and an ask well under working units. Pay only through eBay checkout.
Seller: laurent-s
No feedback yet
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