NOT SOLD (BIDDING OVER), HIGH BID WAS
125.00USDby G********k (199)
This item WAS NOT SOLD. Auction date was 2026 Jun 13 @ 14:30UTC-07:00 : PDT/MST
Bidding deadlines for lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96 are synchronized. Their deadlines will extend & end together.
Reserve Lot. Will not exceed the pre-sale low estimate. Status indicated upon placing bid.
A Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 synthesizer (serial #1000-6055), stage-used and studio-used by Greg Hawkes of The Cars, with documented use circa 1982–1984. Confirmed by Hawkes in his own video testimony as one of his primary instruments throughout The Cars' recording and touring career. Hawkes specifically identifies the Prophet-5 as the source of the oscillator-sync lead on "Let's Go" (Candy-O, 1979) and confirms this specific synthesizer was used on the Shake It Up and Heartbeat City albums and their associated tours. The road case originally accompanying this instrument is offered separately as Lot 87.
Video Documentation
[YouTube] Greg Hawkes of The Cars — Discussing His Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 Synthesizer
[YouTube] The Cars — "Let's Go" — Midnight Special (09/28/1979)
[YouTube] The Cars — "Touch and Go" — Fridays (10/31/1980)
[YouTube] The Cars — "Shake It Up" — Fridays (01/08/1982)
[YouTube] The Cars — "Bye Bye Love" — US Festival (09/04/1982)
Historical Context
The Cars were a Boston-based new wave and rock band comprising Ric Ocasek (vocals, guitar), Ben Orr (vocals, bass), Elliot Easton (guitar), Greg Hawkes (keyboards, synthesizers), and David Robinson (drums). The band released six studio albums between 1978 and 1987, and their synthesis of new wave aesthetics with melodic rock songwriting placed them at the commercial and critical forefront of American rock for a decade.
Greg Hawkes was the primary synthesist in The Cars and is widely credited as a central figure in establishing the polyphonic analog synthesizer as a defining voice of the new wave era in American rock. His instrument choices — and the specific sounds he programmed on them — are inseparable from The Cars' identity as a recording and performing act.
The Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, introduced in 1977 and produced until 1984, was the first fully programmable polyphonic analog synthesizer with onboard patch memory, fundamentally changing the possibilities of keyboard performance in both studio and live contexts. Its five-voice polyphony, dual-oscillator architecture, and distinctive analog filter became foundational to the sound of late-1970s and early-1980s pop and rock production. The Prophet-5 was used by virtually every major synthesizer-oriented artist of the era, and Greg Hawkes was among its most prominent and identifiable practitioners.
Studio & Stage Use
Hawkes has confirmed this specific instrument's use on The Cars' recordings and tours in his own video testimony: "The Prophet-5. One of my favorite synths of all time for sure. It was used to make the 'Let's Go' sound — the 'bow-bow-bow.' And this one was used on all the Cars tours from Candy-O on. Used it on Heartbeat City album, Shake It Up album, as well as those tours. It's just one of those synths that's always sort of been associated with the sound of The Cars."
The oscillator-sync lead on "Let's Go" (Candy-O, 1979) — one of the most immediately recognizable Prophet-5 patches in pop music history — was created on a Prophet-5, with Hawkes citing it in his video testimony in direct reference to this instrument. The serial number of this unit indicates manufacture circa 1982–1983, consistent with its confirmed use on Shake It Up and Heartbeat City and their associated tours. Hawkes confirmed the Prophet-5's role in a contemporaneous published interview: in the January 1982 issue of Musician Player & Listener, discussing the "Let's Go" riff, he stated: "It's a Prophet 5. The break is actually a Prophet doubled with a real guitar, but that part is just a synthesizer." This 1982 interview — published the same year as Shake It Up — provides period-contemporary documentation corroborating Hawkes' later video testimony. The Prophet-5 is also present throughout the band's subsequent studio albums and is visible in multiple documented live appearances from the period, including the television performances linked above. The instrument was part of Hawkes' keyboard rig alongside the ARP Omni, Mini Korg, and other period synthesizers throughout The Cars' active years.
Specifications
· Sequential Circuits Prophet-5, Model 1000, Revision 3 (circa 1982–1983)
· Serial: 1000-6055 — mid-to-late Rev 3 production; Rev 3 introduced CEM chips (CEM3340 VCOs, CEM3320 filters) replacing the earlier SSM chips, providing improved tuning stability while retaining the Prophet's warm analog character
· 61-key keyboard (C–C); pitch and mod wheels
· Five-voice polyphony
· Voice architecture per voice: dual VCO (oscillator A and B) with frequency, pulse width, waveshape — sawtooth/square/triangle — sync, and low-frequency modes; noise generator
· Filter: 24dB/octave 4-pole low-pass (cutoff, resonance, envelope amount)
· Envelopes: Dual ADSR — one for filter, one for amplifier
· Modulation: LFO; poly-mod; wheel-mod; glide/unison
· Programmer: 40-patch memory (8 banks) with red 2-digit LED display; cassette interface for patch storage and recall
· Rear panel: Audio out; trigger/gate/voltage in and out (sequencer interface); cassette in/out; footswitch; amplifier/filter control voltage jacks
· Walnut side panels with "Sequential Circuits" and "prophet-5" badging
· Minor modifications present
· Functional, offered as-is
· No power supply included
Condition
The instrument is in functional condition with wear consistent with professional studio and touring use. The top panel and walnut sides present well. The bottom panel shows scuffing and two tape remnants consistent with touring use. Minor modifications are present as noted.
Included Items
Three unused original tour laminates from The Cars' Door to Door tour (1987): one V.I.P. laminate, one Backstage laminate, and one Staff laminate — all unused extras from the touring production.
Original issue of Musician Player & Listener magazine (January 1982), featuring The Cars as the cover story, with Greg Hawkes' contemporaneous statement confirming the Prophet-5's use on "Let's Go." 1 photo.
Provenance
From the personal collection of Greg Hawkes. Originally offered as Lot 725 at Weiss Auctions, Sale 378 (Historical Memorabilia, Rock N Roll, Hollywood, Advertising), November 20, 2020, Lynbrook, NY, cataloged as "owned and used by Greg on The Cars Recordings and Live in Concert." Passed at auction; acquired directly from Weiss post-auction at reserve. The R&R Cases road case originally accompanying this instrument is offered separately as Lot 87.
Nostalgia Bandit Letter of Provenance
This lot will be accompanied by a Nostalgia Bandit Letter of Provenance — a document printed on official Nostalgia Bandit letterhead, signed by Nostalgia Bandit's principal, and affixed with the official Nostalgia Bandit embossed seal. The Letter of Provenance reproduces the complete final auction description for this lot in full, memorializing all provenance documentation, attribution, supporting evidence, and condition details as presented herein. It is designed to travel with the lot through all future ownership transfers as a permanent, platform-independent physical record of the item's documented history.
Shipping & Measurements
THIRD PARTY SHIPPING ONLY. Contact Nostalgia Bandit for a shipping quote: shipping@nostalgiabandit.com
» Item: 37.5 x 16 x 6" · 32.88 lbs.
Auction Location:
14545 W Grand Ave STE 106 PMB 101, Surprise, Arizona, 85374, United States
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| AZ |
8.35% |
Arizona State Tax |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
20% |
Additional Fees:
| Fee | Amount | Applicable Locations | Applied To |
| Credit Card Processing Fee |
3%
|
Not Applicable
|
This fee applies to the total of the invoice
|
Shipping Details:
Shipping, handling, and insurance are not included in the purchase price and will be invoiced separately. Most items are eligible for in-house shipping from Nostalgia Bandit — see the individual lot description. Items requiring third-party shipping will be noted in the lot description; recommended providers and contact information are available on the Shipping & Fulfillment page at nostalgiabandit.com. Buyers may also arrange their own licensed and insured shipper. All shipments require signature confirmation and full insurance coverage. Buyers are responsible for all duties, VAT, tariffs, and import costs. Local pickup available by appointment. For shipping quotes prior to bidding, email your address and lot number(s) to shipping@nostalgiabandit.com.
Payment Details:
Payment is due within 5 calendar days of invoice.
Nostalgia Bandit accepts major credit cards and may accept alternative payment methods upon request.
Invoices may be paid using the credit card on file or by contacting us directly to arrange payment.
Shipping, handling, and insurance are invoiced separately unless otherwise noted.
Please contact us promptly with any questions regarding your invoice or payment arrangements.
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- AMEX
- Discover
- Money Order/Bank Draft
- Wire Transfer
- Multiple Credit Cards
- ACH
Nostalgia Bandit LLC
Buyer Terms & Conditions
These Buyer Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) apply to all sales conducted by Nostalgia Bandit LLC (“NB,” “we,” or “us”). By registering to bid or placing a bid, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
1. Contract Formation
NB acts solely as agent for the consignor. NB is not the seller. Placing a bid constitutes an irrevocable offer to purchase. The contract is formed upon acceptance of the winning bid by the auctioneer or platform at the close of the auction.
2. Online-Only Auctions
All bidding is conducted online only. Some auctions may include a live-streamed auctioneer and some may not. The same bidding rules apply to all auctions. NB reserves the right to withdraw any lot, refuse any bid, resolve bidding disputes, and regulate the conduct of the auction in its sole discretion. Certain lots may be offered subject to a confidential reserve. If a reserve is not met, the lot will remain unsold. Any reserve, if applicable, will not exceed the published low pre-sale estimate.
3. Buyer’s Premium & Fees
A 20% Buyer's Premium is added to the hammer price of all lots, which includes the iCollector online service fee. An additional 3% credit card processing fee will be added at checkout for payments made by credit card; payments made by ACH or wire transfer are not subject to this fee.
4. Sales Tax
Applicable sales tax will be added to the purchase price as required by law based on the delivery location and the nature of the transaction.
5. As-Is / No Reliance
All property is sold AS IS, WHERE IS, with all faults. Descriptions, estimates, and opinions are statements of judgment, not guarantees. Buyers are responsible for their own inspection and evaluation. No warranty or representation is made as to condition, authenticity, provenance, completeness, or operability except as expressly stated. Electronic items are sold as-is, untested unless otherwise stated, and may not include power supplies, accessories, or cables unless specifically described and shown in photographs. Certain electronic items may originate from other countries and may require voltage converters, adapters, or other modifications for use. Any testing, compatibility verification, or modification is at the buyer’s sole risk.
6. Payment & Default
Buyers acknowledge that iCollector may automatically charge the registered payment method on file within 24 hours of auction close. Payment is otherwise due within 5 calendar days of invoice. Payment is due within 5 calendar days of invoice unless otherwise stated. Failure to pay may result in cancellation of the sale, resale of the property, forfeiture of payments, and recovery of costs. NB reserves the right to charge the buyer’s registered payment method, assess late fees, and/or pursue legal remedies for non-payment. NB may reject future bids from any buyer who fails to complete a transaction. Although title passes at the fall of the hammer, NB retains a possessory lien on the property until full payment has been received and cleared. Property will not be released until payment clears. By registering to bid, buyers agree not to initiate chargebacks or payment reversals without first contacting NB to resolve any issue in good faith.
7. Shipping & Risk of Loss
Title and risk of loss pass to the buyer at the fall of the hammer. Property will be released for shipment or pickup only upon receipt of cleared payment in full. Shipping, insurance, handling, customs, and related costs are the buyer's responsibility. All packages shipped by NB will require signature confirmation upon delivery. Buyers are responsible for arranging shipment within a reasonable time after payment.
Full-value insurance is required on all shipped lots. Declared value for shipping insurance shall equal the hammer price plus buyer's premium; under-declaration is not permitted. All shipments must use carriers that provide signature confirmation and full declared-value coverage. For lots shipped in-house by NB, accepted carriers are UPS, FedEx and USPS Registered Mail only. For lots shipped via third-party providers, the buyer (or their chosen shipper) is responsible for selecting an appropriate carrier and arranging full-value insurance through that carrier or an independent insurer.
8. Shipping Options & Third-Party Handling
Shipping, handling, and insurance are not included in the Hammer Price or Buyer's Premium. All shipping and fulfillment costs are assessed separately and are the sole responsibility of the buyer.
NB offers in-house shipping for eligible lots, subject to availability and lot-specific requirements. NB reserves the right to require third-party shipping for any lot at its sole discretion, including but not limited to lots requiring specialized handling due to size, weight, fragility, value, or other considerations. Where third-party shipping is required, NB will provide contact information for one or more recommended providers, and the buyer may use a provider of their own choosing.
Regardless of shipping method, all shipments must comply with the insurance and carrier requirements set forth in Section 7. Risk of loss in transit lies with the buyer in all cases. Local pickup is available where applicable. Buyers should note that applicable sales tax may apply to transactions involving local pickup.
International buyers are solely responsible for compliance with all applicable import regulations, customs declarations, duties, and taxes. NB will accurately declare the full hammer price plus buyer's premium on all customs documentation. Requests to under-declare value, mark shipments as 'gift,' or otherwise misrepresent the transaction to customs authorities will be declined.
9. Returns & Claims
All sales are final unless expressly stated otherwise in writing. Any claim must be submitted in writing within seven (7) days of receipt of the property.
10. Platform Disclaimer
NB is not responsible for errors, interruptions, delays, or failures of third-party bidding platforms or internet services.
11. Limitation of Liability
NB’s liability to a buyer shall not exceed the purchase price actually paid. NB shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
12. Force Majeure
NB shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
13. Governing Law & Venue
These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Arizona. Venue is exclusively in Maricopa County, Arizona.
14. Claims & Concerns
Information regarding good-faith inquiries concerning ownership or title may be directed to us via the Contact page.