I think I have to modify my previous response, on the basis of Dean's excellent post below. I knew as I sent, that I wasn't really addressing the whole story! In view of the growing ubiquity of electronic keyboards, why *shouldn't* we get involved to at least some extent, if there is money to be made - provided we get appropriate knowledge and do a decent job. I was thinking about traditonal watch repairers when electronics came in. The good, and forward-looking ones, learnt about the new technology, got in new diagnostic equipment, developed new supplier relationships, and consequently, having adapted to meet the market, found themselves with a new revenue stream. Those who did not, found their income reduced. Maybe we will as a trade, collectively move gradually in the direction of repairs to keyboards. Best, David. > I've done repair on Kurzweil and Clavinova. Most of the repairs involve > mechanical issues, key issues, pedals. > > > > Often there is a problem with the rubber contact pads below the keys (or > pedals). Those are easy to change. The symptom will be a note that doesn't > work or is always loud no matter how hard you press it. Be sure to clean > the > contact surface on the PC board with rubbing alcohol and Q-tip. > > > > For electronic issues I can get Kurzweil tech support on the phone and > they > will walk me through tests to isolate the offending component. Send the > component in for repair and replace it when it comes back. Once I got $70 > for replacing the internal battery on a PC88. I first did web research to > find out which battery it needed so I had it when I made the service call. > I've even replaced the micro switches on a Kurweil panel PC board, not my > favorite thing to do, but it is money. > > > > I'm not an electronics guy, but I can de-solder and solder a PC board. So > far I've not run across a problem I can't fix with Tech support on the > phone. > > > > Dean > > Dean May cell 812.239.3359 > > PianoRebuilders.com 812.235.5272 > > Terre Haute IN 47802 > > _____ > > From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On > Behalf > Of Tom Driscoll > Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 8:26 AM > To: pianotech at ptg.org > Subject: Re: [pianotech] Do we do Keyboard repairs?? > > > > Matthew, > > My suggestion is to leave them alone---Although I did repair a broken > pedal mount on a Clavinova type instrument last week. Only for a musician > friend in need did I even consider looking at this problem.If it was an > electronic issue I would be lost but it turned out to be a broken piece of > plastic that was repared with C.A. and a small block of 1/2" plywood and > sheet metal screws to reinforce the damaged area from below. I did have to > go to the big hardware store with all those screws and things. > > Best wishes , > > Tom Driscoll > > Subject: [pianotech] Do we do Keyboard repairs?? > > > > > I have been getting calls of late for repairing keyboards. Several weeks > ago I received a call from a retirement home about a non-functioning > damper > pedal, and I just got off the phone with a church that has two sticking > keys > on their keyboard. > > > > I am just wondering how many of us repair keyboards, and if it's worth > getting involved with. > > TODD PIANO WORKS > Matthew Todd, Piano Technician > (979) 248-9578 > > http://www.toddpianoworks.com <http://www.toddpianoworks.com/> > > > >
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