[Question] MPC3000 on Ebay with broken keys?

Hi to all MPC60/3000 gurus.

Came across an MPC3000 32MB / OS3.11 ...no extras 600 GBP ( 715+ Euros)

that according to seller
used to work perfectly but than soft key 1 is pushed inside and blocked/stuck that way
so the mashine will boot but the screen won't come up and remains blank ... because of that.

is this a normal behaviour when the soft key 1 is engaged at startup?

Also some other buttons need servicing or replacement...

So it goes for 600 GBP ( 715+ Euros) --- is it worth it?

Will i be able to fix it? to find the keys or switches?
Is it realistic?

thanks in advance for your (aways) wise advices
jazz

P.S.

here is a quote from the seller:

This unit needs some attention from someone who can spend a little time with it as there are two known issues:

1. The Play/Record button are rather loose but still make contact. Sometimes more than one key press may be needed, but this can be solved by fully cleaning and adjusting the buttons internally for better response.

2. The soft key 1 button has been pushed in and now the connect switch for it is on permanent engage which causes the MPC to not start-up correctly. This can be fixed by disengaging the button press internally.

The MPC starts up and power comes on but due to this key being stuck the main screen does not come on. Instead all the lights come on and the LCD screen remains blank. I feel that someone with a little more time on their hands who is confident enough to look into the matter a little closer can bag themselves a real bargain here!



I had previously spoken to Synthesizer Service Centre who quoted a price to fix the problem, and to replace any keys etc for only £130.00 for anyone wishing to have it repaired by a pro service centre.

This is truly an excellent machine and am sad to see it go, but feel it would benefit more from someone who has a little more experience with one already or who has time to have it checked out and repaired if they are uncomfortable with looking at it themselves.

is this a normal behaviour when the soft key 1 is engaged at startup?

[/quote]

No. If I press down Soft Key 1 while turning the machine on, it does not affect startup on my machine.

There is probably a power related issue with the machine or a cable inside is disconnected.

jazzroom wrote:
Will i be able to fix it? to find the keys or switches?

The tact switches are readily available and inexpensive, information is from: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=29188&start=105

MPC3000 TACT SWITCH PART NUMBERS:

Mouser Part #: 688-SKHVBE
Manufacturer Part #: SKHVBED010
Manufacturer: ALPS
Description: Tactile Switches 6.0x6.0x5.0mm 160gf

I'm certain there are European distributors for these parts as well. As for the actual buttons, you can purchase them from an service place like Forat, VST, MPCStuff, Crazy Analog, etc.

MPCHunter wrote:is this a normal behaviour when the soft key 1 is engaged at startup?

No. If I press down Soft Key 1 while turning the machine on, it does not affect startup on my machine.

There is probably a power related issue with the machine or a cable inside is disconnected.

jazzroom wrote:
Will i be able to fix it? to find the keys or switches?

The tact switches are readily available and inexpensive, information is from: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=29188&start=105

MPC3000 TACT SWITCH PART NUMBERS:

Mouser Part #: 688-SKHVBE
Manufacturer Part #: SKHVBED010
Manufacturer: ALPS
Description: Tactile Switches 6.0x6.0x5.0mm 160gf

I'm certain there are European distributors for these parts as well. As for the actual buttons, you can purchase them from an service place like Forat, VST, MPCStuff, Crazy Analog, etc.[/quote]


so if its not the soft key causing trouble... but something more serious ...?
could it be dangerous to buy this MPC as nobody knows what causes the screen being blank at startup?
what do u guys think.... is buying this MPC just asking for trouble , or?

here is the Ebay link
http://cgi.ebay.fr/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270613841504#ht_2231wt_1069

I wouldnt pay €750 for it, better save up another €500 and get one thats working.

I would consider getting it if it didn't have startup issues and we knew 100% for sure that the only issue is tact switches needing to be replaced.

When you add the cost of the machine, shipping, new parts, and paying to have it fixed (if you go that route instead of DIY) then you might as well wait for a working model to come for closer to that price and not pay to ship it around to service centers and all that extra stuff that has no guarantees.

if you start the machine while pushing soft key 1, can you still navigate through the menu?

i ask this because i ve got a 3000 which is unable to react on anything the cursor just sits blinking in the left top corner and i thought perhaps there is a contact given of a button which actually is not pressed

Flub wrote:if you start the machine while pushing soft key 1, can you still navigate through the menu?

i ask this because i ve got a 3000 which is unable to react on anything the cursor just sits blinking in the left top corner and i thought perhaps there is a contact given of a button which actually is not pressed

well, I have no idea as I don't have MPC3000
it is still on Ebay ...
I might try to email the seller and ask him about your problem...

you have to be very careful when buying items from sellers listing goods with faults as sometimes they will not disclose the severtity of the fault and will make it seem like an easy fixable when its not.

If it only needed 2 tact switches why didnt he get them fixed at a cost of £30 max and relist it for £700-800?


It's a £600 gamble at the end of the day.

jazzbee wrote:you have to be very careful when buying items from sellers listing goods with faults as sometimes they will not disclose the severtity of the fault and will make it seem like an easy fixable when its not.

If it only needed 2 tact switches why didnt he get them fixed at a cost of £30 max and relist it for £700-800?


It's a £600 gamble at the end of the day.

I agree--- it's very slipery n flaky situation
afraid to get a "lemon"
so I've asked the seller to sent me a video of the unit...
to see how it looks in reality...
but u right --- why wouldn't he just open Mpc himself
and fix the pushed in key ( as easy ad he sas it is to do)?
or goes to akai repair service and get if fixed for ( quoted?)
130 GBP ??

jazzroom wrote:

Flub wrote:if you start the machine while pushing soft key 1, can you still navigate through the menu?

i ask this because i ve got a 3000 which is unable to react on anything the cursor just sits blinking in the left top corner and i thought perhaps there is a contact given of a button which actually is not pressed

well, I have no idea as I don't have MPC3000
it is still on Ebay ...
I might try to email the seller and ask him about your problem...

Here is the Answer I got from the seller on the button question:

The screen is not dark but is very bright. All lights come on and the LCD is on too but I’m not sure you can navigate through the menu. Everything was working perfect before the button incident so I don’t think it can be that serious.

Flub wrote:if you start the machine while pushing soft key 1, can you still navigate through the menu?

i ask this because i ve got a 3000 which is unable to react on anything the cursor just sits blinking in the left top corner and i thought perhaps there is a contact given of a button which actually is not pressed

No. All of the buttons are in the same circuit. If one is depressed, the MPC won't respond to any additional button pushes until the button is released. The jog wheel works independently of the buttons, so you should see the values change irregardless of whether a button is pushed or not. The buttons are normally open, so you should not read continuity across one unless it is depressed.

jazzbee wrote:you have to be very careful when buying items from sellers listing goods with faults as sometimes they will not disclose the severtity of the fault and will make it seem like an easy fixable when its not.

If it only needed 2 tact switches why didnt he get them fixed at a cost of £30 max and relist it for £700-800?


It's a £600 gamble at the end of the day.

I agree. Who is to say that there aren't other issues being disclosed? Anything is fixable if you don't care about the time and cost. It is truly a gamble at that price -- if it were less money it would be a different decision. You could get lucky and only have to fix a tact switch -- but you could also end up with a £600 paperweight that needs £300 in parts.

MPCHunter wrote:

Flub wrote:if you start the machine while pushing soft key 1, can you still navigate through the menu?

i ask this because i ve got a 3000 which is unable to react on anything the cursor just sits blinking in the left top corner and i thought perhaps there is a contact given of a button which actually is not pressed

No. All of the buttons are in the same circuit. If one is depressed, the MPC won't respond to any additional button pushes until the button is released. The jog wheel works independently of the buttons, so you should see the values change irregardless of whether a button is pushed or not. The buttons are normally open, so you should not read continuity across one unless it is depressed.

jazzbee wrote:you have to be very careful when buying items from sellers listing goods with faults as sometimes they will not disclose the severtity of the fault and will make it seem like an easy fixable when its not.

If it only needed 2 tact switches why didnt he get them fixed at a cost of £30 max and relist it for £700-800?


It's a £600 gamble at the end of the day.

I agree. Who is to say that there aren't other issues being disclosed? Anything is fixable if you don't care about the time and cost. It is truly a gamble at that price -- if it were less money it would be a different decision. You could get lucky and only have to fix a tact switch -- but you could also end up with a £600 paperweight that needs £300 in parts.

You are absolutely right MpcHunter - its an incredible gamble...
how much should i offer to the seller than 300 - 400 Pounds...or?

How about nothing and dont take the risk?

I saw that same 3000 on gumtree.co.uk for £300 and then £400 a few days later as well as being on ebay.co.uk for £549.

Nobody it seems is willing to take the risk...I wouldn't, but it caught my attention.

clint246clint wrote:I saw that same 3000 on gumtree.co.uk for £300 and then £400 a few days later as well as being on ebay.co.uk for £549.

Heh. After reading your post, I browsed gumtree and it's listed there for £300.

http://www.gumtree.com/london/73/63319573.html