Digital BW, The Print

Hi all - 

I've been reading this list since 2009, with the intention of one day setting up a dedicated B&W printer. Based on the posts I've been reading about the 1400/Eboni 6, and the low price for admission ($220 + ink and carts), I think I'm ready to make the plunge.

I've been printing with an HP 9180 for the past several years and in general it's been a good experience. Lately though, I've been having difficulty printing successfully in B&W. My tests indicate that it's probably due to a combination of poor HP software, changes in Apple's color management scheme, and printheads that are testing as good, but failing to produce consistent results from session to session. I'll continue to use the 9180 for color work as long as I can keep it going, but I know its days are numbered. It'll eventually be replaced with a 17 or 24" Epson.

The idea of carbon printing appeals to me on a number of levels. The permanence of prints is a big plus, as is the color constancy (the lack of metamerism) and the novelty of working with a relatively esoteric printing method. At this point though, I'm not willing to take the "mad scientist" experimental approach that some here have (very admirably) committed to, in paving the way toward a mainstream acceptance of carbon on cotton. I realize that I'll need to experiment and adapt the medium to my own use, but I'm far more interested in doing photography than I am in developing the technology that supports it. 

Having said this, the only thing that's holding me back right now is the fact that I've never actually seen an Eboni-6/1400 print in the  flesh. I have no way of knowing whether the color and tonal range will be suitable for the work I do. So, here's my question: is there anyone in this group, using a 1400 with Eboni-6 that lives in New Mexico, who would be willing to show me some prints? I'm east of Santa Fe, but I'd be happy to travel. Alternately, would any of you be willing and able to send me a list of the RGB values you're reading (with a spectrocolorimeter) from a typical Eboni-6/1400 print of a grayscale step wedge? My preferred paper at this point is Entrada Bright, but readings from any paper would be welcome. I'm interested in a color range that's just on the warm side of neutral.

Thanks in advance. I look forward to reading your responses.

All best,
Dave