via this auction
"Being 39 years old, all Korg PS-3100s will have problems if they haven't been serviced in many years (EVEN if they were never gigged and kept in a smoke-free studio).
THIS unit has been serviced and REFURBISHED by a professional synthesizer and electronics engineer with decades of experience. The POWER SUPPLY going is a common problem with synths of this era. This one is now in good shape for years to come.
However, most important is THIS (the reason for the REFURBISH):
The plastic connectors that seat the voice cards into the backplane on this type of machine have become brittle and prone to breakage. They WILL break if they haven't been replaced, especially when shipped. When I first bought this unit that's exactly what happened: it worked fine for the seller, and the voice card connectors broke during shipping because of the brittleness with age. So even if another PS-3100 is said to be in great condition -- unless the backplane has been rebuilt it will almost certainly fail during transit or soon after.
Replacing the connects requires sourcing new compatible connectors (the old ones are long out of production) means finding a technician familiar with not just analog gear, but wire-wrapping (because that's how the harness is wired). Painstaking hours are then spent, at GREAT COST, to rebuild the backplane. If this hasn't already been done, you will end up with a busted synth -- probably as soon as it is next jostled (like during shipping when you buy it).
THE BACKPLANE ON THIS UNIT HAS BEEN REFURBISHED.
That is why, if you want to purchase a PS-3100 to PLAY it, you should buy this unit. (That is also why it is more expensive than the few others kicking around for sale.)"
Naah, no wirewrapping on those backplane connectors, at least not on the ones I looked in, just a lot of soldering!
ReplyDeleteThe back plane connectors are cheap at Mouser, just look at item nr 587-306-50-022, EDAC connector