Thanks, Paul. Clearly I'm still learning about that 6 ink setup... with the 1800 of course it was three carts filled with 100% Eboni and the others were not in use. Quite a difference!
You were right about this inkset... I haven't had any inkling (sorry!) of a plogged nozzle, perfect checks every time.
So can I rule out the printer? As I said earlier, my one-year warranty runs out next month, and I really don't want the hassle of the return routine, what with packing, etc. Besides, they'd probably give me a 1430 and somehow I prefer the 1400. I was so surprised to see one turn up in the Epson refurb page less than a year ago, you'd think they'd run out of 1400s. So I grabbed it!