If your keyboard isn’t working, and you’re considering having it repaired by a service center, you might want to try a factory reset first. I’ve had quite a few customers come in with apparently mute keyboards that, in fact, just needed a factory reset. Your Yamaha’s memory can become corrupted over time. This might be … Read more
I repaired multiple Yamaha Clavinovas with separating hammer strike felts this week. It’s interesting how these repairs seem to come in groups! This is an issue commonly seen in Clavinovas from the late 2000s, and it affects a wide variety of models. Usually customers complain of either a noisy action or a heavy, uneven feel, … Read more
I’d like to post some work notes every week, discussing interesting jobs I’ve worked on in the local area. This week I had some gems, including a magnetic pedal sensor in a Kurzweil Mark 150, blown speakers in a Baldwin MCX-88, and a key contact repair in a CLP-175. Adding PianoStream to Mark II Disklaviers … Read more
Electronic keyboard instruments—especially Yamaha Disklaviers, Clavinovas, stage pianos, and organs—represent significant financial investments. Some of these instruments cost well over $50,000. I’ve had a few customers ask me about the best surge protector for their Disklavier or other instrument. My predecessor in keyboard repair here in Maine, Nick Orso, was so enthusiastic about Tripp Lite … Read more
If you own a Yamaha Clavinova from the early 2000s and you’re noticing some sticking keys or sluggish response, you’re definitely not alone. I get this call a lot. Unfortunately, it’s a design flaw from that era that eventually affects these otherwise excellent instruments. There are other reasons Clavinova keys stick, including spilled beverages and … Read more
Today I’m sharing a few pictures of a repair on a Yamaha CLP-370 with sticking keys, clunking sounds, and dead keys. But this could happen on most Yamaha Clavinovas. See my Digital Keyboard FAQ for more! Hammer Rest Felt (Sticking and Clunking) One of the most common complaints I receive from customers is that their … Read more
A Yamaha service note from 2004 refers to Giebler’s Yamaha DOM package, which is used for copying Clavinova and Disklavier files. I’m in the process of transferring files in a Yamaha CLP-156, a Clavinova from 1994, which uses an early version of ESEQ. I was curious to see if Giebler’s software package gave me better … Read more
As a piano technician with a subspecialty in keyboards, as well as digital and hybrid pianos, I’ve compiled this guide to address common issues. Drawing from my experience with brands like Yamaha, Roland, and Casio, I’ve put together a list of the most common problems I encounter! Why do my keys play at full volume … Read more