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Good Deal on a Used Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro?
Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 4:03 pm
by David Carter
Never looked into Mackie gear before, and a new mixer is down at number 2 or 3 on my wish list, but just thought I'd ask whether this is a good deal if it's in good working order. It seems like a really low price, but I have no clue. It's about an hour away from me. Thoughts?
http://knoxville.craigslist.org/msg/1529993872.html
Re: Good Deal on a Used Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro?
Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 6:34 pm
by DJPhatman
I'm not a Mackie fan, but that's a lot of analog board for cheap. Just be sure to test operation of EVERYTHING before commiting to buy.
Re: Good Deal on a Used Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro?
Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 7:05 pm
by Fish
I often see those listed—and selling—at about $350 each in good working order here in the S.F. Bay Area. My first thought with that one is "what's wrong with it? Why are they selling it so cheap?"
The pics look clean (often they are much dustier), and if it works it's well worth the drive IMO. I use that model all the time for corporate talking heads shows where all I need is a rack mount mixer with four groups and a couple aux.
Re: Good Deal on a Used Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro?
Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 8:44 am
by Israel
you can not tell how well it is just by its looks but mackie makes great boards and for the price you cant conplain on an 1 hr travel if they say that the board is in good working condition
happy new year pal!
Re: Good Deal on a Used Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro?
Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 3:05 pm
by Paul Norman
I have own this mixer for about 7 years and it's been to the shop twice. The tech says there is a problem with the ribbon connector on this model. The 1604 has some good points but all and all used I'd be a little careful. Mine runs hot all the time. There are better units on the the market. I say do some research and find a Allen Heath. $175 sounds cheap, so something is probably wrong.
Re: Good Deal on a Used Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro?
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 1:26 am
by bgavin
I have the VLZ Pro 24-4.
It also runs hot, but I can correct that with better heat transfer paste on the power IC, and some fans.
Evidently this 16v regulator IC is the part that craps out most of the time.
Overheating is no doubt the cause.
From what I understand, ribbon cables are a chronic problem in the 8-bus mixers.
Re: Good Deal on a Used Mackie 1604 VLZ Pro?
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2010 9:18 pm
by DaveK
Re: ribbon cables
According to Mackie tech support, they had a supplier issue with the connectors. The socket was a tiny bit too big and over time the contacts built up corrosion. Once the problem was discovered, they got a new supply of properly sized connectors and sent replacement ribbon cables to anybody that asked. If you call with your serial number they can tell you if your board was built during the problem period. They can also tell you the part number to look for on the cables to tell if they have been replaced. (Or at least they could a couple years ago; Mackie is now owned by LOUD, which has been going through some turmoil lately.)