What to look out for when buying a used kronos

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:28 pm

Natasha0404 wrote:Thank you all. There's a seller on eBay in Fulham London who's selling his Kronos. He's saying on the listing that he's moved on to using a DAW hence the sale.

I won't get any warranty from him so want to make sure I'm not paying for his potentially problematic synth.

You would have to have a thorough visit and have a good environment to test it, IMO. Maybe u could give him a question list in advance

splinters · Post by **splinters** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 6:10 pm

I saw that listing and it seems awfully cheap...

phil55 · Post by **phil55** » Sat Feb 01, 2014 7:40 pm

splinters wrote:I saw that listing and it seems awfully cheap...

I looked at it too - it was a starting bid but when you consider it's 'pounds' and not $, then it seems in the ballpark.

Natasha0404 · Post by **Natasha0404** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 7:10 pm

Well. I went to try it and after 30 minutes I could smell a burning wire. I asked him what it was and he said it could be his electric radiator.

I presume his Kronos is being used as a part time heater !!!

phil55 · Post by **phil55** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 7:14 pm

Natasha0404 wrote:Well. I went to try it and after 30 minutes I could smell a burning wire. I asked him what it was and he said it could be his electric radiator.

I presume his Kronos is being used as a part time heater !!!

So no Kronos for you then?

Natasha0404 · Post by **Natasha0404** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 7:42 pm

phil55 wrote:
Natasha0404 wrote:Well. I went to try it and after 30 minutes I could smell a burning wire. I asked him what it was and he said it could be his electric radiator.

I presume his Kronos is being used as a part time heater !!!
So no Kronos for you then?

I still want a Kronos. It's my valentines gift so I should make the most of it right?

phil55 · Post by **phil55** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 7:46 pm

Well I hope you get one that doesn't give you heartburn.

Do you really think it was the Kronos making that smell? Were you right on top of the smell whilst playing the Kronos?

Natasha0404 · Post by **Natasha0404** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 7:50 pm

phil55 wrote:Well I hope you get one that doesn't give you heartburn.

Do you really think it was the Kronos making that smell? Were you right on top of the smell whilst playing the Kronos?

Yes I want to get a non problematic one. I'm going to see one tomorrow as well.

Yes I think the burning smell was definitely from the Kronos. I'm blonde but not clumsy. Lol. Plus his body language changed once that happened.

phil55 · Post by **phil55** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 8:02 pm

Natasha0404 wrote:
phil55 wrote:Well I hope you get one that doesn't give you heartburn.

Do you really think it was the Kronos making that smell? Were you right on top of the smell whilst playing the Kronos?
Yes I want to get a non problematic one. I'm going to see one tomorrow as well.

Yes I think the burning smell was definitely from the Kronos. I'm blonde but not clumsy. Lol. Plus his body language changed once that happened.

I'm glad you have the check list to help and I wish you the very best luck in getting one. It is possible to find a good 2nd hand one, I did, just know what to look for, and you do...

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 8:17 pm

Natasha0404 wrote:
phil55 wrote:Well I hope you get one that doesn't give you heartburn.

Do you really think it was the Kronos making that smell? Were you right on top of the smell whilst playing the Kronos?
Yes I want to get a non problematic one. I'm going to see one tomorrow as well.

Yes I think the burning smell was definitely from the Kronos. I'm blonde but not clumsy. Lol. Plus his body language changed once that happened.

good move. Unfortunately, there are sellers that want to give you their 'problem ' .

phil55 · Post by **phil55** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:22 pm

GregC wrote:….

good move. Unfortunately, there are sellers that want to give you their 'problem ' .

This is the listing in question: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KORG-KRONOS-6 ... 2a37181466

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Mon Feb 03, 2014 9:31 pm

phil55 wrote:
GregC wrote:….

good move. Unfortunately, there are sellers that want to give you their 'problem ' .
This is the listing in question: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/KORG-KRONOS-6 ... 2a37181466

The ad wording is convincing. I see nothing about original DVDs and manuals.
Proof of registration is good. Actual purchase receipt copy would help .

Kronoso · Post by **Kronoso** » Tue Feb 04, 2014 9:46 pm

Hello,

can you explain what you mean by number 2? Build quality? what does it mean if there is a gap near the keybed?

phil55 wrote:The normal boot up time is two minutes and eleven seconds

Off the top of my head here's a check list for a 61:

1. Check the fan noise - turn it on in a quiet room with nothing else on. Does the fan noise wear you out? Can you live with it? Would you consider replacing it with a quieter one? (I did on mine)

2. Build qualities - look for gaps near the chassis and the keybed. Check the data knobs and the joysticks.

3. 61 keybed - any clicking? Are the keys even? Do they all play?

4. Check outputs (digital and analogue)

5. check the sustain pedal - does it work? Did you use the correct polarity (other pedals are different than Korg's) - Is the OS 2.1.1? If not, this may be a cause for sustain issues

6. Are you going to use it live? You'll need a surge protector.

7. Ask for a small warrantee if buying used with option for return (heck do this anyway for new too)

-------------------------

For 73s and 88s

8. Check the keybed for a. double strikes b. uneven keys c. clicking and play them all. It wouldn't hurt to get someone who can play fancy classical music to jam on it and see if he felt the keys were working as intended.

9. look underneath the keyboard. Any screws missing? Any screws look like they've been scoured (has the board been opened?). This applies to the 61 too.

Finally and probably most important, read the sticky at the top of the Kronos page for other issues and fixes.

As far as the actual programming and getting in deep with sequencing, sampling etc, I haven't got that far yet.

Also, prices have come down on used and some new. Don't pay the price of a new one from a couple of years ago.

Good luck!

phil55 · Post by **phil55** » Tue Feb 04, 2014 10:20 pm

I wish I could find the post for you, but some people had a Kronos with a gap between the keys and the chassis, suggesting that the keybed had shifted. It was a 61, if memory serves. Also some people reported the knobs falling off mainly the data knob and the occassional coming apart of the joy stick.

Pepperpotty · Post by **Pepperpotty** » Sat Feb 08, 2014 6:12 pm

The listing just ended and it went for £1285. I really hope that the burning smell wasn't coming from the synth after all. I have to say there is no way I would have paid £1285 when Korg are selling one on ebay for £1299 with a years warranty.