Just how serious is the M50 "capacitor" issue?

[miden]

I am about to buy a used M50 88, and I have just discovered that apparently they have a so called "capacitor issue.

Can anyone advise if it is one that affects ALL m50's made, a select series of serial numbers, or is it just random?

[Ajbbklyn]

It does not affect all M50s. It affects a small percentage thereof. However, the percentage has been significant enough for it to be an identified issue.

That said, the M50-88 model does not appear to be susceptible to the capacitor issue, probably owing to the fact that the 88-key version of the board was manufactured in Japan, not China. There have been isolated cases of an M50-88 with the issue. But, not in any significant numbers.

If you're buying locally, I would recommend testing the board before buying.

[miden]

Thanks

[John Hendry]

It does not affect all M50s. It affects a small percentage thereof. However, the percentage has been significant enough for it to be an identified issue.

That said, the M50-88 model does not appear to be susceptible to the capacitor issue, probably owing to the fact that the 88-key version of the board was manufactured in Japan, not China. There have been isolated cases of an M50-88 with the issue. But, not in any significant numbers.

If you're buying locally, I would recommend testing the board before buying.

There were far less M50-88's sold so if seeing it happen in a few it's likely the same situation IMO.

[JerseyMac]

I have my M50 88 for 5 years and I never had any problems until now.<br>

• First problem:
  I broke "chord assign" button #1. After dismantling the instrument it showed up that all plastic buttons are made like... (the best comparison that I can think of) the top from plastic bottles of shampoo, when you open and close them many times they will break over time. The switch is under the button on the bottom of it, and the top of the button is conected to the board with thin plastic. I had to fix mine with resin.
  Also button #2 began to detach and I put some resin on it.<br>
  Second problem:
  Cable from joystick broke, I had to solder it and rigidly secure because it was designed wrong, too loose.<br>
  Third problem:
  This one bothers me a lot. My Korg freezes during playing or editing, pressing buttons, etc. Powering off and on again sometimes helps but not always. I never updated OS because I didn't need to. The instrument was great until now... I'm trying to find upgrade link that works, any help?

Serial number of my Korg: 00,415. It was made in Japan.

[John Hendry]

Two of my chord buttons broke too. The buttons will last at LOT longer if you only press on the bottom of them because of the way they are designed and this is something all M50 owners should be aware of. Korg should have used better buttons for the chord buttons at the very least.

[JerseyMac]

Two of my chord buttons broke too. The buttons will last at LOT longer if you only press on the bottom of them because of the way they are designed and this is something all M50 owners should be aware of. Korg should have used better buttons for the chord buttons at the very least.

I agree with you. Korg m50 owners (I don't know how about other boards) remember to press all buttons on your front panel only at the bottom!
I spent $2.800 for my board and I was really surprised when I looked inside. Bad, bad design.

How did you fix buttons by the way?

[Lenster]

My M50 - 61 locks up all the time. It has gotten beyond maddening, and now I just consider it a feature of the model. At gigs, the band gives me the wtf stare as I reboot it mid song. I just laugh it off knowing that it will become relegated to my cave soon.

I am thinking about upgrading to a Krome, but I am suspecting that they have the same issue. Has anyone heard about that? Thanks, Lenster.

[John Hendry]

Wow.. $2,800 for an M50 with no aftertouch. Where did you buy it? The Krome 88 is only $1,650 at Musician Friends right now. I didn't realize the MSP was that high on the M50 88.

I never fixed my buttons even though it was under the warranty period because "something" happened and I had more important issues to deal with. The contacts under the buttons work so I may make up a set of my own buttons but have both versions of the Nana Pad so not much incentive to mess with it. But I really like the M50 as it's so simple with just two arpeggiators and light weight compared to the Kronos. I can pick it up and throw it in my van as easy as a laptop almost.

[JerseyMac]

It was a typo I spent $1.800 on my Korg at Sam Ash store back in 2009. I'm still thinking it was kind of expensive.

[John Hendry]

OK... I was wondering about that. And yes $1,800 is a lot of money these days especially when you look at the used market excluding keyboards with Poly AT that are selling for outrages amounts IMO because you can't get parts for them. But as I recall $1,500 was the lowest price on the M50 88 at the end of the cycle so not so bad. Good luck and hope you get it resolved. I updated the OS on mine as soon as it came out.

[JerseyMac]

I updated the OS on mine as soon as it came out.

Where did you get that update? I can't find any working links.

[John Hendry]

I got it here:

http://i.korg.com/SupportPage.aspx?productid=413

Works on my end....