Roland JX3P, I need help FAST!

[d1rtynyc]

Hey.
I came across a cheap Roland JX3P for $125.
The thing has 2 keys that don't work everytime and a missing fader cap.
This is a synth I had and loved, but I am not certain if I want a synth that is not 100% if I can't fix the keys. I can always use midi to program it thru Logic.

Does anyone have experience fixing keys that work intermediatly?

What should I do. That is such a nice price for this nasty analog digital hybrid synth. I have to decide in the next 3 hours.

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Popbott]

I have fixed keys on my JX-3P and 8P simply by opening the board and fiddling with the contact points. Try pressing keys that don't work a little harder, if it does make a sound, it may just need some adjustment on a spring or contact point. After all, it is a 25 year old synth. If you don't have some experience opening synths, I would get someone to do it for you. $125 is a great deal on a JX-3P.

If different keys in different locations are not making sound, then you are dealing with a synth that may have a voice problem. This is not an easy fix and would re-consider at this point.

[d1rtynyc]

Thanks Popbot!
It is just 2 keys only. I have a feeling it may be the easy fix you had mentioned. Probably just dirty connections. I do have experience opening synths & cleaning contacts, so this is why I am pretty optimistic I can make it work.
Sometimes you need a gentle push in the right direction when making a buy like this.
I am definately leaning toward it.

[echoromeo]

Originally Posted by d1rtynyc

Hey.
I came across a cheap Roland JX3P for $125.
The thing has 2 keys that don't work everytime and a missing fader cap.
This is a synth I had and loved, but I am not certain if I want a synth that is not 100% if I can't fix the keys. I can always use midi to program it thru Logic.

Does anyone have experience fixing keys that work intermediatly?

What should I do. That is such a nice price for this nasty analog digital hybrid synth. I have to decide in the next 3 hours.

THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not sure if you can edit the synth via midi. It was one of the first Roland Midi synthesizers. If you can get a hold of a pg-200 - that makes editing very simple. The Jx3p is a great synth, I love mine.

[d1rtynyc]

Originally Posted by echoromeo

I'm not sure if you can edit the synth via midi. It was one of the first Roland Midi synthesizers. If you can get a hold of a pg-200 - that makes editing very simple. The Jx3p is a great synth, I love mine.

No, I mean MIDI program the playing of the synth.
But thanks for that info too.
I had the JX3P before, with the PG200. I miss em.

[Popbott]

Did you get it? Did you get it?!?!? You filthy gear slut, I know you did!!

[echoromeo]

Originally Posted by d1rtynyc

No, I mean MIDI program the playing of the synth.
But thanks for that info too.
I had the JX3P before, with the PG200. I miss em.

Got it.

The only downer about the Jx3p is - if it is receiving midi (in midi mode) you can't use the pg-200. Many years ago I thought I read about a mod to fix that, anyone know it?

[Acid Hazard]

That mod is no longer available =o[ The only work around is to buy the MKS-30, but those don't look as cool as the JX-3P. That thing has a total totalitarian look to it! I love the way it looks! That thing is easy enough to open up and clean. Give it go, you'll get those keys working.

My old 3P with the PG200.

[d1rtynyc]

Originally Posted by Popbott

Did you get it? Did you get it?!?!? You filthy gear slut, I know you did!!

Filthy slut I am!!!! I bought it for $100.
It has some problems, mostly cosmetic, but I will fix it very easily.
Thanks for your info everybody!

If anyone has a PG200 for sale let me know. PM me!

[rachel]

This is the mod:

organix' toolshed - JX-3P MIDI Expansion Kit


It will be available again in September....


rachel

[d1rtynyc]

Originally Posted by DivineChemical

Waiting on pins and needles for this mod.

$100 for a JX-3P with two dead keys isn't bad at all. I paid $200 for mine and it's got dead keys and dead LED's.

I just found out the keys are not dead, the just stick. I have opened it up & got them unstuck, then put it back together only to have em' stick again.
This week I am going to open it back up and take the keys out and try my best to get em' functioning.
I figure if I can't get them unstuck I am gonna make a new case for the synth minus the keyboard. Either plexiglass or a wood case. At lease it will be one of a kind.

[Popbott]

1980 something, NAMM...was it the guys from Sequential Circuits carring the Prophet 600 over to the Roland booth or the other way around? As I recall, that was when the JX-3P and Prophet 600 were first joined via MIDI, and it worked.

[Popbott]

That looks great DC, I have the same setup! (like the lights at the bottom!) A piece of history I will never get rid of. I think I am going to pull my Vintage Synth book out and start reading up again.

[JDN]

Originally Posted by Popbott

1980 something, NAMM...was it the guys from Sequential Circuits carring the Prophet 600 over to the Roland booth or the other way around? As I recall, that was when the JX-3P and Prophet 600 were first joined via MIDI, and it worked.

It was a jupiter 6, 83 NAMM

[Space Station]

Originally Posted by JDN

It was a jupiter 6, 83 NAMM

“At the January 1982 NAMM show,” Mr. Kakehashi recalls, “not only did we introduce the Juno-6, but we also announced MIDI together with Sequential Circuits. Dave Smith and I decided we must demonstrate MIDI in front of people, so we connected the Jupiter-6 and Prophet-600 to each other. However, we forgot to call the press so we didn’t get any pictures! That was a big mistake.”

[d1rtynyc]

Originally Posted by Acid Hazard

That mod is no longer available =o[ The only work around is to buy the MKS-30, but those don't look as cool as the JX-3P. That thing has a total totalitarian look to it! I love the way it looks! That thing is easy enough to open up and clean. Give it go, you'll get those keys working.

My old 3P with the PG200.

Love the MMT8. That was my first sequencer.
A really cool piece, great for live!

[Popbott]

Originally Posted by JDN

It was a jupiter 6, 83 NAMM

There seems to be some speculation over the net regarding which Roland synthesizer was first connected to a Prophet 600 at NAMM. My source was KEYBOARD magazine from the early eighties, Vintage Synthesizers soft cover book features reprinted articles from KB Mag. (anyone have this book, it is awesome!) I have found several articles on the Web including an article from MIX Magazine saying it was the JP-6. I don't care to start a meaningless pissing match, but since I was a kid, I remember it being the JX3P. Dave Smith (creator, Prophet 600) seems to agree.

Dave Smith Instruments

[Space Station]

Originally Posted by Popbott

There seems to be some speculation over the net regarding which Roland synthesizer was first connected to a Prophet 600 at NAMM. My source was KEYBOARD magazine from the early eighties, Vintage Synthesizers soft cover book features reprinted articles from KB Mag. (anyone have this book, it is awesome!) I have found several articles on the Web including an article from MIX Magazine saying it was the JP-6. I don't care to start a meaningless pissing match, but since I was a kid, I remember it being the JX3P. Dave Smith (creator, Prophet 600) seems to agree.

Dave Smith Instruments

Did you read what I posted above? The head of Roland himself says it was a JP-6 in January '82.

[Popbott]

Originally Posted by Space Station

Did you read what I posted above? The head of Roland himself says it was a JP-6 in January '82.

Did you read what I posted above? The creator of the P600 himself says it was the JX3P. Jackass. *popbott cock-slaps Space Station with his own rubber dong*

[Acid Hazard]

I happen to have an issue of Keyboard from 1984 where they talk about the then new midi and it's future in the music world. Dave Smith does mention it's a Jupitor-6. I'm sure his memory in 1984 was better than it is now =o)

[Space Station]

Originally Posted by Popbott

Did you read what I posted above? The creator of the P600 himself says it was the JX3P. Jackass. *popbott cock-slaps Space Station with his own rubber dong*

I'd trust what the creator of the actual product says. Dave Smith probably couldn't tell the difference. Twatface. *Space Station pokes popbott in the eye with his own tiny wiener* In your face hahaha I win I win!

Just thought I'd join in the with the under 12's speak.

[Popbott]

Originally Posted by Space Station

I'd trust what the creator of the actual product says. Dave Smith probably couldn't tell the difference. Twatface. *Space Station pokes popbott in the eye with his own tiny wiener* In your face hahaha I win I win!

Just thought I'd join in the with the under 12's speak.

Awwww dang it! Lol...!

[Popbott]

Originally Posted by Acid Hazard

I happen to have an issue of Keyboard from 1984 where they talk about the then new midi and it's future in the music world. Dave Smith does mention it's a Jupitor-6. I'm sure his memory in 1984 was better than it is now =o)

Can you...scan that page and post it?

Or better yet just tell me what month/page number/paragraph purdy pleeeeeease?

[Acid Hazard]

I don't have a scanner, i when i dig it out, i'll let ya know the exact date and page #.

[Popbott]

Originally Posted by Acid Hazard

I don't have a scanner, i when i dig it out, i'll let ya know the exact date and page #.

I'll dig it out tonight too. It was the JX3P I tell you!!!

[d1rtynyc]

On this piece I have 2 keys that are sticking. By sticking I mean the note is playing, not the key actually sticking down. I opened it up an cleaned it out a bit and they stopped, then when I put it back together they started to stick again. I wiggle the keys and the stop for a moment only to start again.
Before I tear into it again do any of you all have any tips or suggestions of what I should do to fix this? Any help would be appreciated!thumbsup

[Acid Hazard]

June 1984
Page 44

"...January '83 NAMMM show, when Roland brought down a JP-6 and hooked it to a Prophet-600, and they talked to each other."

[Acid Hazard]

Originally Posted by d1rtynyc

On this piece I have 2 keys that are sticking. By sticking I mean the note is playing, not the key actually sticking down. I opened it up an cleaned it out a bit and they stopped, then when I put it back together they started to stick again. I wiggle the keys and the stop for a moment only to start again.
Before I tear into it again do any of you all have any tips or suggestions of what I should do to fix this? Any help would be appreciated!thumbsup

I wonder if there's something inside the case causing pressure on the keys?

[d1rtynyc]

Originally Posted by Acid Hazard

I wonder if there's something inside the case causing pressure on the keys?

That is what I am thinking as well.
The piece is missing screws and all jacked up. The side pannels are missing all but 1 screw each. The bottom of the case is starting to fall apart at the edges and the wood is warped. If I remember right, the keyboard's circuit boards seem to be not spaced right this may be causing the issue.
What would your opinion of taking the keyboard of entirely and fabricating some case for the guts? Is that a wrong move?

[Acid Hazard]

Couldn't really say. I don't remember how easy the case is to take apart entirely. If the bottom wood piece is easily removed, i don't see it being too difficult to fabricate a new one. It's just particle board painted black.