Roland MKS-80 Super Jupiter with MPG-80 Programmer (Rev 4)

Roland Super Jupiter MKS-80 AND Roland MPG-80 Programming module (100v Japan) REV 4

I am selling off another piece of my youth... my Roland MKS-80 and MPG-80 Programmer. I am selling them as a package, hopefully to a good and appreciative home for this classic beast!

This MKS-80 is the rare and preferred version 4 unit (versus the v5) based on the serial number “metric” I have read about online in numerous places (V4 serial numbers are up to and including 511799).  You can check with Roland to be sure.  The first 3 numbers of this serial number are 470... The last 3 digits are intentionally blurred in the photo for the listing.

I won’t bore you with the specs etc. as this is well documented on internet sites and YouTube.  My guess is if you are looking at this, you already have a good idea of what this legendary puppy can do.  And with a Roland Jupiter 8 going for $30K + and a Jupiter 6 $8-10K+ these days, I think that this MKS-80 and MPG-80 offering is a relative bargain.

I bought these new in Japan back in 1985. I pulled them out of their flight cases and fired them up.  The units are working flawlessly as far as I can tell playing through the presets, and twisting through the knobs and moving sliders up and down on both units. But note that I did not conduct an exhaustive parameter by parameter test...  However, see my link below where I recently walked through everything. The volume slider on the MKS-80 sometimes sounds a feels a bit scratchy, so probably in need of a cleaning.  All components are the originals, and the units are sold "as is".

Cosmetically, it is in good to very good condition (IMO) considering its age, with some minor rack rash on the screw holes, surface scratches and a fixable indentation between the Wave Form and Sync sliders on the MPG-80, and button labels rubbed off in a couple of places on the MKS-80. Also some scratches on backside of the rack ears of the MPG-80.  See the photos.

The units have been lightly used over the years, and well taken care of.  Their lives have been in flight cases or in my rack. No touring, or bar band live playing, just peacefully existing in my little hobby studios over the years. The programming module has only been used maybe 10 times or so ever, because I just never got around to actually learning how to use it... Which bums me out when I see people on YouTube making this thing really sing...

Check out online for reviews and specs, and YouTube for some awesome demos of the stock sounds and also manipulations via the programming module. (UPDATE: the links have apparently been stripped out by the bot)

musicradar was one of the links...

Note that MKS-80 is a 100v Japanese unit as I lived in Tokyo at the time I bought it. You should be able to easily find a transformer online to convert to US voltage at reasonable prices these days or find a good techie to convert to USA power. If you really want, I can throw in my Sugano SU-1000 transformer that I used with this if you meet my asking price. Last I checked, this is a $149 "value", up on ebay, but also note that it adds an additional $30-$45 to the shipping as well which is not factored in below. It is 7lbs or so heavy! Purchased back in 1989 or so.

Included in the sale are the MKS-80, the MPG-80 programmer, MKS-80 power cord, programming cord, manuals dated May 1985, and a M-64C memory cartridge factory labeled “MKS-80 Sample Sound”.  I do not have the original boxes, but they will be well packed and protected for shipping.  Note that the hard shell flight cases and the other rack equipment (ART MultiVerb III effect processor and CAD compressor) seen in the photos are not included.

I will ship via Reverb, and its Safe shipping service. According to Reverb, it depends on where our zip codes are as to which carrier options are available. Note that the $ shipping listed below is an estimate. I will be happy to refund you the difference if it ends up being cheaper, and I would expect that you reimburse me if it ends up being higher for some reason. Ships within lower 48 states USA only after payment is confirmed received. Alaska & Hawaii, I will have to get a quote for you... Canada? Apologies, not prepared to take on international shipments quite yet!

Note that your ship to name and address must match what Reverb and Paypal have on file for your account if you select Paypal as method of of payment. No drop ship to a different address or shipping to a different name, etc. Adult signature will be required at delivery.

Feel free to contact me with any questions. Thanks a lot!