Janome Memory Craft 6600
 

Is this a good machine? I saw it at an estate sale and am thinking about buying it. Price is $400.00. What's the difference between this and the 6600 Professional?

Thanks, Ellen

I loved mine, sold when I sold all my too many machines, nothing wrong with it. Metal body, one of the longest running lines Janbime has ever produced. I 'think' the P might relate to more stitches per minute, it is advertized as beiing for bag makers. there is a good 6600 group on fb, the price for used ones is probably all over the map because it's been around for so long.

sit down and drive it with some of your own fabric, make a couple of blocks.

I have the MC6600P - and it's at least 14 years old and going strong. It's easy to use and stitches out great. Very easy to change the stitches too. The only issue I had was the needle threader wasn't working and so I took it in and had it serviced at the same time. It gets serviced about every 4 to 5 years. I learned how to clean it myself so it doesn't need it any more often. I didn't know there was a 6600 and a 6600P. When I bought it, it was the only one the store had and it was on sale with the set-in table. (I do not like using a portable on a table top if I don't have to.)

Best Machine that I ever had!
Yes, HAD ... traded up, thinking I was getting something better, but NOPE, and eventually got rid of the machine.

As far as I know they were all P ... most of us just referred to it as the 6600.
MC, as you probably figured out is for Memory Craft.
Again, most times that is dropped. when referencing.

As long as it works fine ... test drive it to make sure ... $400 is well worth it, to me.
(YES, personally, I would jump at the chance for it, if I had the option.)

Another thing to consider, do you have someone to service it locally? Chances are it will not need much servicing if all is good right now. But definitely something to take into consideration. In buying it as a used machine, I would probably have it serviced as soon as I got it, just to know it is back into the best condition possible and ready for many happy hours of stitching!

I still have my MC4800 and love it. of course I now have problem with thread messing up I must figure out. But it is still going strong. would love a larger throat space though!

I have the MC6600 and LOVE it. It's a true work horse that just sews without complaints. The built-in upper feed dogs are so useful and you can always flip them up if you don't want to use them (though - why!). I even took my to the school and let the students use it and it never glitched. Love the hum.

So why did I buy another machine? - I wanted a bigger throat space.
Has it been an improvement? - not really. I could shove a lot of quilt through the 6600 and even managed to quilt a king-sized quilt.

Really, $400 seems a reasonable price. I take mine for servicing every year and it has never needed anything beyond cleaning. Use it a lot because that's what it likes. Usage keeps everything well oiled.

I bought it!! I got it for $380 and I'm happy with that. It's one of the earlier 6600's as opposed to a later one. It's heavy!! Looks like there's a lot to learn so I'm sure I'll have questions. Yup, there's no difference between the 6600 and 6600P. When I was looking at it, the word "professional" had the price sticker on it so I didn't see that.

So very glad for you! I bought my 6600 in 2008 and it has been a wonderful machine. In 2014 I wanted to upgrade my embroidery machine and bought the 15000. Kept the 6600 and use it regularly to this day. The only service the 6600 has ever had was cleaning and checking once every year or so. I had to replace the bobbin holder once upon a time, but that has been the extent of any repair type work done on this fantastic machine.
Murphy

I think the 6600 is the best machine Janome ever made. If you keep your machine cleaned and oiled, it will last a long, long time.

I have had the 6600 since 2008. Love it. The term Workhorse has been used since it was first introduced. It is heavy,to me, but it is all metal, which probably accounts for its durability. I make bags and it has never disappointed me. I would ask the seller when the last time it was in for a check up. Since it would cost you 75 to100 dollars for a check up, would they consider $350.....but I would buy it in an instant at $400!
If it runs, buy it.