Casio CZ/ VZ/ FZ - Pro Series

Hi, 

I can buy a CZ-1 which is 100% operational but all LEDs are dead.
The owner says they all died at once some time ago. But the synth is 
still working, there are just no lights anymore. 
I know the synth can be operated without these LEDs as almost all 
information is also displayed on the LCD, which is still working.

But I'm a little worried... Is this an indication of the "beginning of 
the end" of that synth ? Is it wise to buy that synth ? In my country 
CZ-1's are very hard to find...

Does anyone have experience with this problem or some advice ?

Thanx in advance,  
/esynthesist

>I can buy a CZ-1 which is 100% operational but all LEDs are dead.
>The owner says they all died at once some time ago. But the synth is
>still working, there are just no lights anymore.
>I know the synth can be operated without these LEDs as almost all
>information is also displayed on the LCD, which is still working.
>
>But I'm a little worried... Is this an indication of the "beginning of
>the end" of that synth ? Is it wise to buy that synth ? In my country
>CZ-1's are very hard to find...
>
>Does anyone have experience with this problem or some advice ?

I've never heard of the problem (don't have a CZ-1 anyway).  Most likely the 
LEDs are perfectly functional, it's something to do with whatever circuit is 
driving them that's bad.  If the synth is otherwise fine, I don't think it's 
a sign that more things will go wrong later.  If you don't mind using it 
that way I see no reason to not buy it (it might be more difficult to sell 
later, but it's not like they're worth anything anyway).  You might want to 
open it up and see if there's a broken wire or something, it could be very 
easy to fix.

Well it's not 100% operational if the LEDs are not operational. On
that basis, what garentee do you have that you're not buying a dud?

I recon you need to see it before parting with the cash, and test it
thoroughly, or you need to get it (very) cheap.

On 6/16/05, esynthesist <esynthesist@...> wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> I can buy a CZ-1 which is 100% operational but all LEDs are dead.

--- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, Jez <jezosaurus@g...> wrote:

Hi there, Usually the LED's are controlled from a central IC / 
controller board. However, it could be something as simple as a loose 
connector or wire loom. Try checking inside the machine before you buy 
(if permitted)as one may have worked loose through the years, it may 
not have been pushed down properly when originally assembled. Better 
still, if you know someone with an electronics background, let them 
check or get a service manual which are available on the internet.

It could also be something more sinister such as a failed component(s) 
or has been tampered with by a previous owner. If it still works fine 
without them then it may be worth buying but for a cheap price. 
Remember, Casio don't keep replacement parts for these machines and 
custom chips will be almost impossible to replace. The choice is yours. 
Best of luck!!! MIDCOMSYS...

> Well it's not 100% operational if the LEDs are not operational. On
> that basis, what garentee do you have that you're not buying a dud?
> 
> I recon you need to see it before parting with the cash, and test it
> thoroughly, or you need to get it (very) cheap.
> 
> On 6/16/05, esynthesist <esynthesist@y...> wrote:
> > Hi,
> > 
> > I can buy a CZ-1 which is 100% operational but all LEDs are dead.

Hi all,

Thanks for the feedback so far (from the other members too :-).
I will be able to test the unit thoroughly, the owner agreed on that. 
Not sure he will agree on opening the unit though... but that's part 
of the price negotiation then.
If I buy it I will try to get the service manual from Mark Glinsky. 
However I'm still not sure if I'll buy it. 
I have the opportunity to buy a CZ-3000 for the same price, in 
perfect condition. But I really want velocity control... Grrrhhh...

Thx,  esynthesist

--- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "midcomsys" <kmiddlemas@a...> wrote:
> --- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, Jez <jezosaurus@g...> wrote:
> 
> Hi there, Usually the LED's are controlled from a central IC / 
> controller board. However, it could be something as simple as a 
loose 
> connector or wire loom. Try checking inside the machine before you 
buy 
> (if permitted)as one may have worked loose through the years, it 
may 
> not have been pushed down properly when originally assembled. 
Better 
> still, if you know someone with an electronics background, let them 
> check or get a service manual which are available on the internet.
> 
> It could also be something more sinister such as a failed component
(s) 
> or has been tampered with by a previous owner. If it still works 
fine 
> without them then it may be worth buying but for a cheap price. 
> Remember, Casio don't keep replacement parts for these machines and 
> custom chips will be almost impossible to replace. The choice is 
yours. 
> Best of luck!!! MIDCOMSYS...
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > Well it's not 100% operational if the LEDs are not operational. On
> > that basis, what garentee do you have that you're not buying a 
dud?
> > 
> > I recon you need to see it before parting with the cash, and test 
it
> > thoroughly, or you need to get it (very) cheap.
> > 
> > On 6/16/05, esynthesist <esynthesist@y...> wrote:
> > > Hi,
> > > 
> > > I can buy a CZ-1 which is 100% operational but all LEDs are 
dead.

Hi there,

Try and get a CZ-1 instead of the CZ3000. Don't get me wrong the 3000 is a 
good synth (probably the best looking CZ) but it's nowhere near as versatile as 
the CZ-1. I know cos I've had both machines and still own 2x CZ-1's. Velocity 
sensitivity and aftertouch are a godsend to phase distortion, but you'll also 
regret not having the enhanced memory features as well. Mark Glinsky's manual 
manor is a cheap way of getting service documents but I realise it's a bit of 
a gamble. 

If you have access to EBAY then there is one being auctioned in the UK (where 
I live), starting price 100GBP (180USD approx). I don't know if the seller 
will post Worldwide but you could always ask him. Another source is Germany as 
CZ synths are pretty abundant there.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=47081&
item=7329861871&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

MIDCOMSYS.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>Thanks for the feedback so far (from the other members too :-).
>I will be able to test the unit thoroughly, the owner agreed on that.
>Not sure he will agree on opening the unit though... but that's part
>of the price negotiation then.
>If I buy it I will try to get the service manual from Mark Glinsky.
>However I'm still not sure if I'll buy it.
>I have the opportunity to buy a CZ-3000 for the same price, in
>perfect condition. But I really want velocity control... Grrrhhh...

The service manual should make it pretty easy to diagnose the problem.  Of 
course it would be more desireable to have the service manual as you're 
inspecting it...

Hi all, I just let you know that I didn't (have to) take the risk...

After posting and reading the messages on this board, I suddenly found 
another CZ-1 in perfect condition for the same price in the same town ! 
I picked it up already. The CZ-1 is hooked up in my studio and I love 
it. 

But boy, that machine is al lot bigger and heavier than my CZ-101 ! 
Didn't know Casio made such heavy units :-)
Of course now we'll never know what the problem was with the other CZ-
1. Maybe the new buyer will let us know...

Anyway, I really appreciate the feedback !  

Thanks,

E-synthesist

--- In CZsynth@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Nordlund" <gsn10@h...> wrote:
> >Thanks for the feedback so far (from the other members too :-).
> >I will be able to test the unit thoroughly, the owner agreed on that.
> >Not sure he will agree on opening the unit though... but that's part
> >of the price negotiation then.
> >If I buy it I will try to get the service manual from Mark Glinsky.
> >However I'm still not sure if I'll buy it.
> >I have the opportunity to buy a CZ-3000 for the same price, in
> >perfect condition. But I really want velocity control... Grrrhhh...
> 
> The service manual should make it pretty easy to diagnose the 
problem.  Of 
> course it would be more desireable to have the service manual as 
you're 
> inspecting it...

>After posting and reading the messages on this board, I suddenly found
>another CZ-1 in perfect condition for the same price in the same town !
>I picked it up already. The CZ-1 is hooked up in my studio and I love
>it.

Well that's certainly one way to solve the problem..