Instrument Registry
These pages list known Chromas and Chroma Expanders, their owners — past and present — and their stories. Although the listings are constantly growing, we have represented a significant fraction of the instruments that were produced and sold in the early 1980s (though there's no way to know how many are still in use). In addition to the entries which originated from owner-supplied information, there is a large number based on Fender's list of owners who sent in registration cards. This list was supplied by Ken Ypparila [21030229]. From the list, only serial number and first name, last initial are included; full last name and city are omitted as the information was obviously not volunteered for this site. A few exceptions are made for institutions and well-known industry people.
There are a number of models in the Chroma line: 2101, 2102, 2103, and 2104. These appear to correspond to geographic regions: Europe (2101), North America (2103), and Australia (2104), with the 2102s originally purchased in Sweden. There are also some instruments with unusual or unknown serial numbers. David Clarke [21030085++] posted some information on the differences between the 2101 and 2103 models in his ChromaTalk mailing list post All sorts of Values (and follow-up Other 2101/2103 difference) in July 1999.
See also listings of models 1631 and 1633 Expanders, the keyboardless Chroma.
Information typically included is:
- full (8 digit) serial number;
- price paid (for the Price History);
- date purchased, place of purchase, related circumstances;
- previous owner(s), if known;
- music played, gigs gigged, tours done, and recordings made with the instrument;
- stories of repair and customization;
- current status, use, and condition;
- pictures of the instrument, if available.
Please send information on your instrument to chris@rhodeschroma.com.
See also the Polaris Instrument Registry.