In these days we discussed a topic here and there with DJC, rnolan, MJMP and some other guys here: once you found a good MP-1, you could consider buying another one for spare parts.
A non working unit at a low price would be a good candidate, like this one:
http://www.ebay.it/itm/ADA-MP1-preamplificatore-audio-valvolare-tube-preamp-/222379976425?hash=item33c6e126e9:g:QgwAAOSwopRYfQUG
It doesn't work, but you can buy it for a few bucks and keep it for parts.
This would be a good deal, at the end...23 euros is currently the best offer...and I bet it will go for less than 40 euros.
I'm lucky enough to be relatively close (meaning that we're both located in Europe) to MJMP and I already bought from him some spare parts for my MP-1 (pots, battery holder + battery, a 2.01 EPROM).
If I would buy a 2nd MP-1 with issues at a reasonable price, I would rather sent it to MJPM for service and repair, to have it working right as a spare unit.
Other people is not lucky as I am and would prefer to buy another unit for spare parts.
But there's a problem: crazy prices and crazy people (and crazy shops).
As I wrote, I bought a MP-1 in very good conditions for 190 euro, shipment included.
It's a very good price, I know...and the unit perfectly works.
By the way, I had a look around...and found these:
https://reverb.com/item/1595612-ada-mp-1-midi-programmable-tube-guitar-preamp-overdrive-chorus-vintage-rack
http://www.ebay.it/itm/ADA-MP-1-CLASSIC-MIDI-VALVE-PRE-AMP-UK-VOLTAGE-JUST-SERVICED-original-MANUAL-/122286113346?hash=item1c78d20242:g:wncAAOSwcLxYC1YY
http://www.ebay.it/itm/ADA-MP-1-3TM-3-TUBE-MOD-ULTRA-PLUS-TRANSFORMER-BASS-NOISE-MOD-FREE-USA-SHIPPING-/172477897511?hash=item28287bdb27:g:w5AAAOSw4GVYKMPB
http://www.ebay.it/itm/1980s-ADA-MP-1-Mutli-Effects-Unit-with-MC-1-Midi-Controller-all-Original-/281746781164?hash=item41996ab3ec:g:Er4AAOSwHnFVoSmL
http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_ada-mp-1-pre-distorsore-multieffetto-valvolare-midi-da-rack-ultimo-ribasso_id4804263.html
Seriously???
I've read "it's in perfect conditions but clipping leds stays on until you flick them" or "it's like new but Output knob has some noise in it"...then it's not LIKE NEW....and those prices are crazy.
Then look at this one:
http://www.mercatinomusicale.com/mm/a_ada-mp-1-preamp_id2795270.html
The seller is a shop here in Italy.
They wrote: in perfect condition, fully functional in all its parts.
200 euros.
Then you've a look at pictures and you'll see that:
1) the power cord has been cut and modified
2) the send/return loop is missing a jack
3) the Output Level pot is missing its knob
4) it's a 1.38 unit, so probably battery is dead...and maybe tubes are dead as well...these shops do not test stuff they sell!
One month ago I tried another in a shop near here.
Same price, same story: sold as brand new and noisy, with scratchy pots, missing screws, probably dead battery and so on.
It's still there in the shop, unsold.
Maybe I've been lucky a lot, having found my Mighty One at first try and at a good price, I don't know.
But why should I spend more than 200 euros for units with issues when I payed less for a perfectly working one?
I'm just wondering, generally speaking, what would be a reasonable price for a second unit one would keep for spare parts.
What do you think about, guys?
Are we the fools or there's plenty of crazy people around?