Waldorf Microwave XT/XTk - Full, 44+2 Bonus Knob Replacement Waldorf *Cooling Tower* Knob Set

TL;DR: Cray-cray engineer, musician, and knob maker produces high-quality, cast, replica knobs for the Waldorf Microwave XT/XTk that are color-matched, look, and feel nearly identical to the original hardware, but they won't get nasty or crumble like the originals. You'll get a made-to-order set of 44 dark gray knobs + 2 extra red knobs. You won't find this unique package, or this quality, anywhere else! These knobs, not some other non-matching knobs or the even the knobs from the later Q's, will preserve your vintage Microwave synth as vintage, as designed, and as intended by the cray-cray engineers, musicians, and knob makers at Waldorf! *** PLEASE READ UPDATED SHIPPING INFO AND PRICES! ***

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FORWARD:

A major part of the Microwave XT/XTk's visual character, as designed, is comprised of the knobs that Waldorf originally implemented. At first, for the "Nextel-painted" Microwave versions, the style of knob was the larger, light gray, "garbage can." Then, for subsequent versions (non-Nextel paint), the taller and thinner "cooling tower" style was used. It is these knobs, IMHO, that are the best-looking and most visually appealing, and they complement the Microwave XT/XTk's unique style exquisitely.

The original knobs are composed of dark gray and hard rubber which match the synth's push-buttons. The knobs are actually a two-piece design, with a cap held loosely atop the "tower." They also have a unique "finger feel" due to the textured rubber. Unfortunately, age and environmental conditions are not, and have not been, kind to the rubber. Many Microwave owners have suffered from cracked, loose, crumbling, or otherwise failing knobs, or perhaps a few caps here and there have fallen off and were lost into oblivion.

Your Microwave XT/XTk may be experiencing these same problems. If so, you may be considering a few options:

1) find a set of the OEM rubber knobs, which are all on borrowed time, and NOT paying a fortune for them; 2) going with a set of the "upgraded" Q knobs; or 3) finding a run-of-the-mill knob from Digi-Key, or Mouser, and completely ruining the character, look, and feel of your precious Microwave XT/XTk.

I say, however, "STOP!!! Don't replace your fragile Microwave XT/XTk knobs with originals that are on still on borrowed time, or the Q knobs, or worse: something else entirely! Instead, go with high-quality REPLICAS of the ORIGINAL design, as intended by Waldorf. Keep your vintage Microwave XT/XTk vintage and true to the original character!"

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ABOUT THESE REPLICAS [PLEASE READ]:

The style of "cooling tower," parameter knobs are EXTREMELY rare, if not "Unobtanium," parts for the Waldorf Microwave XT and Microwave XTk (keyboard).

This sale is for a total of 46 pieces, making up the complete set of 44 knobs, plus 2 extras, as follows:

• 44 parameter knobs, DARK GRAY color, with matching texture and appearance of the original,
• 2 parameter knobs, RED color, as a value-added option/choice to change-out the color of the Wavetable and Filter Cutoff knobs, which pays homage to the first iteration of the Microwave XT! These knobs also have the same matching texture and appearance of the gray knobs.

The knobs are high‑quality, handmade replicas of the original Waldorf parts. They are not 3D printed. I use a high‑pressure plastic casting process that produces a durable part with the same general look, feel, and texture as the originals.

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DISCLAIMER:

• Since this set is a large number of knobs, it is made-to-order. Therefore, please allow at least 5-7 days of lead time before shipment.
• These replicas are cast directly from the original knobs on my own Waldorf synth. Like many “cooling tower” knobs of this age, the originals were not perfectly symmetrical and some had begun to degrade. As a result, minor, inherent variations may appear in the replicas, such as slight texture differences, a small out‑of‑round area at the base, or a subtle wobble at the very top of the cap, observed when rotated. These characteristics come from the vintage source parts themselves.
• Every knob is individually test‑fitted on my Waldorf synth to ensure proper snugness, stable seating, and no excessive asymmetry beyond what is inherent to the originals. Tolerance differences exist both in the casting process and in the synth’s encoder shafts. For any knobs that could benefit from a little extra "tightening-up," I supply thin strips of paper (included), which is a simple and non-destructive solution. Complete instructions are provided.
• All knobs in a set are dyed together as a single “lot” and matched as closely as possible to the original Waldorf color and to the synth’s buttons/main encoder. Slight shade variations may occur but are kept as minimal as possible.

SHIPPING WITHIN USA:

• USPS Priority Small Flat Rate box with tracking.

INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING:

• Globalpost Standard, via USPS, in padded, bubble-mailer with full tracking and customs forms.
• The above method is the most affordable and RELIABLE option I can get that still provides end-to-end tracking AND should avoid any hassles in customs and/or customer having to pay additional fees (per Globalpost's website).
• Average delivery time, based on experience, is 15 days, but some I've seen some shipments take as long as 21, 25, 31, even 38 days, and some as fast as 6-10 days; entirely up to your country's postal system.
• Actual shipping costs shown and applied by Reverb are FLAT RATE, but they are based on modern, actual costs of past shipments to real locations around around the world.
• Current countries in the system: Australia, Austria, Belgium*, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, and UK.
• Depending on your particular country and import laws, you may be subject to import taxes and/or additional fees via your postal system. I am not an expert in the policies and procedures for the calculation and collection of any fees specific to your country/location. However, I do know, based on previous shipment experience, that Belgium* will most likely hold the package of knobs in Customs and make the buyer pay additional costs before releasing for delivery. Buyer beware.
• If you are located in a different country than listed above, please message me so I can INPUT and PROVIDE a more-accurate shipping cost than the default, "Rest of the World" rate of $25 USD.
• Combined-shipping discounts available.

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Be sure to check my other sales for additional knobs for other synths and FX units, including custom-color options! If you're looking for high-quality replacement knobs, maybe with some added unique/custom appeal, then you've come to the right place!

Thanks for stopping by... 🦋