mbillings wrote:If I buy an MPC1k new am I pretty much guaranteed to have a functioning machine for several years?
Hi, good to see someone actually researching their purchases.
I bought mine new because I didn't want to sort through the bs of ebay pawn shops who know nothing about the MPC or the lame scam artists selling broken crap. Now with that said, no, a new 1k will not be guaranteed fully functional for several years. After about a year the tact switches on my 1k started dying. Same with my friend who got his around the same time. This is the most common problem with the 1000 and 2500. Fortunately this is an easy fix. If you go with the 1000 or 2500 I highly recommend you learn how to solder so you can fix the tact switches yourself. Actually, you should learn how to solder anyways, it's a good skill to have.
If you buy off of ebay and the seller has no idea about the pads, see if they'll pop the outermost corner of a corner pad out of the assembly. If they can't do it or won't do it, move on. If they will and it does, ask for a picture of it. No picture, no purchase. Also ask about the buttons, rotary encoder, volume knobs, inputs and outputs, qlinks, everything. I know it seems like a lot but so is being asked to spend hundreds of dollars on something that has a reputation for poor build quality. Just be cautious and know what you're buying.
As for the tact switches, that's something you'll have to deal with whether buying new or used. Learn how to solder and it won't be that big of a deal.
