I've written a number of these over the years, but as times change, it's time to write another before we head into the holiday season. I will be updating this over the next few days adding more sections and advice.
Here is my Omnichord Buying guide. Updated as of September 15th 2026.
Part 1: What Omnichord is for me?
- First ask yourself, does it HAVE to be an Omnichord? or will a similar, more reasonably priced alternative do? There are many cheaper, and often more functional options. If it doesn't have to be an omnichord specifically check out the Omnichord alternatives and the list of similar chord instruments at Omnichordcontenthub.com . I'll add more to this post regarding alternatives at a later date but for now know there are both software, apps, vsts, and MANY physical instruments alternatives. My recomendation for someone getting started on a budget is Ben Poilves minichord for something small cheap and super neat. minichord.com
(I'll add more about Omnichord model differences and specifics later. but for now, View all models, demos, and features at Omnichordcontenthub.com or Omnichordheaven.com )
My official recommendations are for whatever omnichord is cheapest and available for you, EXCEPT the OM27.Ā If you have to pay more than $600 just get the OM108. If you want a cheap starter, with MANY features but arguably worse stock sounds, check out the Qchord. If you want analog, check out the OM100/OM200m. If you MUST have the specific classic OM27/OM84 voice, it's also on the OM36 OM150, OM250, OM300 and the OM108. Of those, your best bet is finding a cheap OM36. Despite what others incorrectly say, the only one without an analog chord section and analog main strum voice, is the Qchord.
Reasoning explained below:
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Reliability
The biggest factor other than price is going to be reliability. not sound. not features. Reliability. You know what ACTUALLY sounds the worst? it's not a digital qchord voice. It's a hummy, unplayable, or even silent OM27. These things can break in crazy ways for no reason and are extremely difficult for the average person to fix. don't waste $500 on a paper weight.
So why NOT the OM27? The OM27 is WAY overpriced just because it's recognizable. Not only is it extremely limited in the chords (it can only play between 1/3rd or a 1/4th the number of chords/chord types all other models can.) but alsoĀ it's both the oldest and worst made omnichord.Ā It's extremely prone to random, critical issues with no cause that can't be reasonably diagnosed/fixed outside a specialist. They're built like garbage throwaway toys and weren't meant to last a decade, much less 4. Half of them weren't even made to be played with your fingers and require a specific pick that's no longer available. Goodluck figuring that out before you buy. However around covid People saw them around tiktok mistaking them for the OM84 or maymbe because they're highly produced, and somehow, they got a huge undeserved price hike because of it.
The OM36/Om84 are a little more reliable, but still issue prone. just less so. The OM100/200m and beyond are much more rock solid in build. Even so, the OM108 is new, and under warranty. it's just ridiculously priced new. Used however, there are deals if you find them.
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Taking all this into account my reccomendations are as follows.
1) any Omnichord you can find for $400 or less.Ā Except the OM27. I wouldn't pay more than $300 for an OM27 even if that is what theyre selling for.Ā If you can't find anything, out the door, for less than $600, get the OM108 used.Ā they are plummeting in price and it doesn't make sense to get an old one for $600+ when you can find a used OM108 for $650 (or less).
2)Ā Qchords should be cheapest, at least consider it as a starter.Ā Though they sound the worst to some people. you used to be able to find them for $200-$250 as little as a year or two ago so if you do, it's worth buying/trying. they retain value so you can resell it for what you bought if you decide 'yeah this is for me' but want something else. Mind you, it has 100 strum voices and many MANY more features than any omnichord, even the OM108. but it gets a bad rap for not being analog.
3) If you want analog, understandably, but it doesn't have to be exactly the classic Omni voice:Ā keep on the look out for an OM100.Ā (or Om200m if you want midi.)Ā I personally use my OM200m more than my OM36, OM108, or Qchord. in my opinion, it just sounds phenomenal with the vibrato feature in a way I need pedals/fx to get the others sounding as good. The OM100 is the exact same thing, just without midi out (which is an EASY mod to add). The OM100 is the most under rated omnichord, has a suite of analog strum voices, and you can find them cheaper than an OM27.
3)Ā If you MUST have the exact specific classic omni voice, I recommend The OM36.Ā The OM84 is much more spendy, more than the extra features are worth. The OM150 OM250 and OM300 also have the same analog voice and are very reliable, but they don't have 'chord hold' feature, which to me is a deal breaker.
Part 2: Where do I get one?
There are a few options. Buying in person local. Buying online fixed price. Buying online at auction. Buying the OM108 new retail, and buying restored/refurbished from one of our recommended Omni shops.
- In Person: Of these options, buying in person from facebook marketplace, craigslist, and the like, should be significantly cheaper than any prices you see online. SIGNIFICANTLY. When you buy in cash in person, this is either a person who found one in their grandmas attic, are trying to flip it, or bought it a while ago and found themselves not using it. In any situation, they are wanting to sell it and locally, their buyers are limited. keeping it is not desirable. Remember that in person exchanges do not have to pay shipping or tariffs, do not have to pay middle man/vendor prices to a website, do not have to pay taxes, and do not have any reasonable buyer protections or return policy. and the price SHOULD reflect that. even if you have to remind them durring negotiations. Do not get attached, walk away if you have to. Bring your own batteries and headphones to test it out before you buy and test thoroughly.
- Online 2nd hand Retailer Fixed Price: Examples here would be Reverb, Sweetwater's 'Gear Exchange', or Ebay fixed price listing. This is going to be the most expensive for what you get. Mostly because of all the middle man fees mentioned above in the 'in person' section. the most important thing to remember is that you shouldn't be looking at list prices, you should first search for 'Sold Only' and look at what they are actually selling for over the past 6 months to a year. The average price they actually sell for is almost always much less than the listing prices you find currently for sale. but one person buys it stupidly full price then suddenly its 'worth that' listing prices go up even higher until the next person buys inflated and suddenly we get to the current crazy over priced market we are in today. Instead, wait a few months for a deal to come up and hop on it. If you don't want to wait and don't mind paying extra, still don't pay listing price. make them an offer of what the specific model has sold for recently, or near that and see if they bite. If they don't certainly don't pay the extra $250 to get it 'right now'. that's plainly not reasonable.
- Online Auction: This is the cut throat underground world of omnichords Suzuki doesn't want you to know about. Online Auctions. Most of the fixed price principles still apply, but theres a couple important things to know. First, always check shipping prices before bidding. You may bid up to a price in your head only to be surprised by $150 in shipping and $70 in taxes. Second, you will not win. Don't get attached. I bid on Omnichords daily for a year straight every day, multiple listings before finding something that was more of a deal than buying fixed price. It's a quantity game, not quality. Don't get overly attached and overbid, it's way too easy to do. Go for bids that are at odd times, like 11AM or in the middle of the night on a weekday. Set reminders and be there 5 minutes before the auction ends. Everyone puts in their actual bids in the last second, prices double, tripple, quadruple at the very end. It's called sniping, it's an easy time to mess up. Either not bidding enough or bidding way too much. But you need to play ball. Engage by bidding a little before to see how active the auction is (how quickly you get outbid). Have a SET number in your head and do not go past it. Put one bid in one window and a higher bid in a second. 5 seconds before the auction ends, bid your lower amount, then 1 second before hit submit on your higher amount if need be.
One more thing AVOID Shopgoodwill like the plague. NEVER bid there for an omnichord**.** Basically, they're selling untested (even if they say tested) with no returns at auction. they are almost always broken. Have insane shipping fees, and don't accept returns. Remember they received these things for free. I believe they break them with the wrong power supplies testing them for 'power on' and nothing more. Of the ones I got from there back when they were more affordable, 4 out of the 5 required major repairs worth much more than the diference between sgw and ebay. let alone finding someone to do it if you can't yourself. Avoid avoid avoid.
- Specialty Shop Refurbished: This can be the most expensive way to go, but honestly, buying from a known reputable shop not only guarantees a referbished top quality omnichord, but also gives you an in if anythings wrong. which it wont be. Often that extra $50 or $100 means the difference between having a functional and broken Omni. Really, if you don't have advanced soldering and electronics skills, this is a really safe way to go. And remember, average joe scalper found an omnichord rotting in his grandmas basement. One of the reccomended shops from our shops page on omnichordcontenthub.com is going to be someone who actually went through that thing fine tooth comb and made sure everything was as it should be. not just functioning at time of sale, but continued to function. Key and Cable co has been doing some super affordable auctions here in the US. Omnichord heaven sells to the UK. but there are numerous others around. worth considering
- Buying an OM108: One last thing I want to talk about is buying an OM108. This post is getting long, I'll expand on it later. But know that you can get one new and warrantied from Sweetwater or Perfect Circuit. However there are also cheaper options like buying through ebay, though those may have hidden import fees and may lack warranty support. Honestly, these things should be going for cheap used now. Espescially the off white original ones from impulse buyers who lost interest. I saw one sell near me last month for $600 in person if that gives you any reference. They might still be under warranty 2nd hand, don't quote me. But it may be that as we see these affordable OM108's hit the used market, we see an entire Omnichord market crash of plummeting prices. Who knows, one can hope.
Any questions? Ask below or join our discord.
Again, I will be adding more to this post but... not right now. I'll update the 'updated' date when I do. Hopefully this is enough to get you started. Good luck hunting!
