Yamaha MQ1602 "Japa-Neve" Mixer - Fully recapped + Direct-Outs - Small PM1000, Tamura transformers, fat Pres. 4 band EQ

At Herscheid & the Headbangers — Yamaha MQ1602 with Direct Outs in excellent condition.

A beautifully maintained late-1970s Yamaha MQ1602 — serviced and upgraded with direct outs on every channel (post-EQ, post-fader).

These MQ-series mixers are loved for their musicality, routing flexibility, and that unmistakable Tamura transformer tone shared with classics like the Yamaha PM-1000 and several high-end TEAC consoles.

This unit was handled with great care during servicing, preserving originality while improving reliability and expanding studio usefulness.

Service & Maintenance Performed

• Direct outs added to all 16 channels (post-EQ, post-fader)
• All pots, faders, selectors, inputs, and outputs cleaned — smooth, noise-free operation
• Nichicon capacitors (same as the originals) replaced on every channels, power section and other boards. You can find a before / after of a channel in the pictures. Nichicon Muse used where schematics calls for bipolar caps.
• Very good shape for it's age. I think it was properly stored which is very good for some parts like the faders. I very highly recommend to cover the faders on the MQ mixers when not in use because of the lack of dust covers.

Features & Highlights of the MQ Mixers

• Tamura mic input transformers on every channel for a rich, musical, vintage colored character
• Tamura output transformer on the main program out
• 4-band cut/boost EQ per channel — highly flexible tone shaping
• Echo send/return (use with any external effect), switchable +4 dB / –20 dB
• Foldback channel for monitoring or creative routing
• Very low noise floor for a vintage unit — essentially no hiss when gain-staged correctly
• Direct outs + Tamura transformers = excellent for multitrack recording with analog warmth
• I decided to leave the covers on the side and top plus the sticker at the back because they are a part of the mixer's story

The MQ Series operating manual is widely available online for more specific specs.

This is a rare opportunity to own a professionally serviced MQ1602 with modern workflow upgrades while keeping the legendary vintage tone fully intact.

Quick and insured shipping