Back after a long journey of bullshit... long story short, I retail-therapied a 404A, then a 404mk2, and now a 404OG. I'm giving the 404A to a friend in need, but the 404mk2 I'm using standalone and the 404OG is getting paired with my MPC1000 (and also standalone).

Anyways... while shopping around I found a 404OG that had whiter pads, clean RCA jacks, and a no rust on the ground screw. All good signs. I saw the "wood grain" on it pretty clearly, but everything was perfectly readable so I didn't mind. For some reason it just seems hilarious to me because of how consistent it is throughout, and it kind of looks like tree bark.

Besides for the clean parts, I knew the effect on the metal was probably due to some kind of damage because the listing said that it was in storage (from Japan). I checked the inside for any moisture and because there was a broken clip loose in there, but everything looked alright. The listing also said it was inspected (taking that with a grain of salt) and tested, and from my testing everything works fine as well. I figured it isn't sun damage because the pads aren't yellowing, but could it have been high temperatures or humidity? What do you guys think?

I sharpied in the S in the SP because it was a bit faded but everything else is as it came

Wow, I imagine u got a real good deal on that considering it’s the look of the machine nowadays that makes up half that selling price haha, good job

Looks like someone tried to clean that thing up .

It's probably a corrosive substance of some sort that's been applied which caused the cracking and flaking on the metal there .

I'd hit it