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[x=#8211/]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
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[x=#8211/]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[x=#8211/]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[x=#8211/]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.
