The Roland TR-808 (the 808) was an early commercial product failure for the newly formed Roland Corporation. Less than 12,000 were  produced before the product was discontinued three years after its introduction. At it's lowest point, a used 808 could be bought for $100. But, from that low point, the 808 became arguably the most influential musical instrument of the mid to late '80s -- and beyond.

The original Wikipedia entry lives at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_TR-808

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