Which is better? Used at a great price or new?

Discussion relating to the Korg Kronos Workstation.

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ITguy54
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Which is better? Used at a great price or new?

Post by ITguy54 »

More specifically the question is this: Buy a used Kronos 1st generation at a great price, or buy a new Kronos 2 with a warranty?
tunaman
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Post by tunaman »

Neither, IMHO. Keep a close eye out and find a mint K2 for a really good price... that is what I’ve done twice now.

I bought a K2 73 off of Reverb last October for $2100, and just bought a K2 88 two weeks ago off of OfferUp for $2200.

Both boards were mint... neither had hardly been used - the owner of the 88 complained that it was too complicated.
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KK
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Post by KK »

About your question, I'd vote for new.

About four years ago, I was offered a huge discount on a supposedly excellent condition slightly used K2. Once there, upon visual inspection I found out a key was damaged, the bottom was so full of scratches it was obvious it was extensively used on stands at many gigs, etc. I'm not too picky for a lawnmower, tools and other things but for a precision electronic musical instrument, no thanks. I instead ordered a brand new one and insisted the store to NOT open the box until I'm physically there. YMMV
GregC
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Post by GregC »

its not simply about the money

when you buy used, you are at a knowledge disadvantage re: used Kronos potential defects.

Some are fine buying someone else problems, since they enjoy dissecting the Kronos internals. They have the time, and willing to fork over $$ for parts.
Hunting for parts is not a party either.
Kronos 88. MODX8
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benny ray
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Post by benny ray »

I most likely would buy new because parts can take months for the KRONOS to

arrive because Korg doesn't stock many parts. Parts is Parts has more parts in

stock. Keybeds seem to be the biggest issue from what I have observed over

the years. My K2 has been great but my second generation KRONOS had

KEYBED issues.
K2 Kronos 88, Mojo 61, Korg CX3, Roland FANTOM 7
GregC
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Post by GregC »

I also prefer reverb for shopping.

They have a strong pricing guide, and a trend chart.

Once a board gets enough sales volume, I think you can count the Reverb pricing chart to indicate FMV.

I also think new K's and Montage to be over priced. I have asserted this for some years. Many folks/owners in particular, argue this.

Given the Covid 19 economy, I was thinking that new high priced items like this
would show price decreases in July- Sept, as unsold inventory might build.

This forecast is IMO. I often guess wrong on future stuff.
Kronos 88. MODX8
Achieve your musical dreams :)
https://soundcloud.com/user-898236994
pranaearth
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Post by pranaearth »

When I had my Kronos, I bought it used.
Mistake.
It had the infamous keybed problem, so I brought i tin to my local authorized repair shop, where it sat for 2 months waiting for the replacement part to be delivered from Korg.
I ended up calling Korg, and they promptly sent me out a brand new Kronos.
So save yourself any potential misery and just get it new.
Several music retailers offer monthly payment plans. Some on a credit card, others with interest free payments, so it'd be worth your while to check out all your options.
Good luck in whatever you choose.
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apex
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Post by apex »

pranaearth wrote:When I had my Kronos, I bought it used.
Mistake.
It had the infamous keybed problem, so I brought i tin to my local authorized repair shop, where it sat for 2 months waiting for the replacement part to be delivered from Korg.
I ended up calling Korg, and they promptly sent me out a brand new Kronos.
So save yourself any potential misery and just get it new.
Several music retailers offer monthly payment plans. Some on a credit card, others with interest free payments, so it'd be worth your while to check out all your options.
Good luck in whatever you choose.
so Korg sent you a new keyboard because your used one was messed up and took so long to repair?
jones
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Post by jones »

New.
Whilst there are deals on used, it often backfires.

Its not the same as a car where you can save a LOT of money.
I paid $2K for a $46K volvo and I've put 100K miles on it so far.

The difference between used and new Kronos is only a few more weeks saving up.
if they start to push your buttons...
stop sewing them on.
GregC
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Post by GregC »

jones wrote:New.
Whilst there are deals on used, it often backfires.

Its not the same as a car where you can save a LOT of money.
I paid $2K for a $46K volvo and I've put 100K miles on it so far.

The difference between used and new Kronos is only a few more weeks saving up.
Agree. And a Fair comparison.

With a used car, often the 'history ' can be obtained. { repair receipts]

Plus its easier to get a qualified mechanic to test the used car. etc etc.

I would not completely rely on 'appearance ' of an older used Kronos. Its easy for someone to mangle the file system, or hack around with internal components. That is a worst case.
Kronos 88. MODX8
Achieve your musical dreams :)
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