Dr88s Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Yesterday I bought a Roland SH-01 Gaia used - my first VA! The keys feel a little grimy. Up close, the board smells like the former owner was a smoker. The board functions perfectly, and I would not dream of opening it to clean the internals. I plan to clean the keys with a mildly dampened lint free cloth (wrung out thoroughly) but wanted to know if there was any other preferred way to do this? As a completely aside question, I play with a two tiered stand and both tiers are way wider than the very short footprint of this 37 key synth. How do you suggest I go about placing it on a stand intended for longer synths? Nord Stage 2 Compact, Yamaha MODX8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonksDream Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 If you want to get rid of the smoke smell use something that cuts oil. Vinegar is very popular for that. Instrumentation is meaningless - a song either stands on its own merit, or it requires bells and whistles to cover its lack of adequacy, much less quality. - kanker Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorgatron Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 I use rubbing alcohol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcazzy Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Yesterday I bought a Roland SH-01 Gaia used - my first VA! The keys feel a little grimy. Up close, the board smells like the former owner was a smoker. The board functions perfectly, and I would not dream of opening it to clean the internals. I plan to clean the keys with a mildly dampened lint free cloth (wrung out thoroughly) but wanted to know if there was any other preferred way to do this? As a completely aside question, I play with a two tiered stand and both tiers are way wider than the very short footprint of this 37 key synth. How do you suggest I go about placing it on a stand intended for longer synths? I would try the dampened lint free cloth suggestion first to see if it will remove the grime and some of the smell. If you do decide to use vinegar I believe I would try to cut it with water first as it has a pretty strong smell itself. If the tier is too wide, why not use a thin piece of plywood (which you could paint black to blend in) to span the tier then place the Gaia on that. I own a Gaia myself and for the price they do a great job of reproducing the classic analog synth sounds of old. I think you will like it. EDIT: just saw the previous post. rubbing alcohol should work great. John Cassetty "there is no dark side of the moon, really. As a matter of fact it's all dark" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Water with a bit of dish-washing soap in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mate stubb Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 Trebuchet removes the odor. Moe --- "I keep wanting to like it's sound, but every demo seems to demonstrate that it has the earth-shaking punch and peerless sonics of the Roland Gaia. " - Tusker http://www.hotrodmotm.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moonglow Posted November 4, 2013 Share Posted November 4, 2013 http://myhoneysplace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/windex.jpg "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr88s Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 Thanks for all your answers. The smoke odour doesn't bother me and is only noticeable when you sniff the board up close. It's more the grimy keys I could do without. Will start with rubbing alcohol. If ineffective, will try dilute vinegar and then windex if need be. Trebuchet removes the odor. Trebuchet the catapult-like weapon, or trebuchet the font? I found no other meaning of the word... Nord Stage 2 Compact, Yamaha MODX8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Muscara Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Will start with rubbing alcohol. If ineffective, will try dilute vinegar and then windex if need be. I'd start with the "mildly dampened lint free cloth (wrung out thoroughly)" you mentioned initially, and then decide if something stronger is warranted after that. I used the same thing when I got my Hammond A-100 and it worked great. "I'm so crazy, I don't know this is impossible! Hoo hoo!" - Daffy Duck "The good news is that once you start piano you never have to worry about getting laid again. More time to practice!" - MOI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegerardi Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 I;m with Moonglow. I've been using Windex for 30 years to clean my keyboards. Cuts right through all the bar scrock. ..Joe Setup: Korg Kronos 61, Roland XV-88, Korg Triton-Rack, Motif-Rack, Korg N1r, Alesis QSR, Roland M-GS64 Yamaha KX-88, KX76, Roland Super-JX, E-Mu Longboard 61, Kawai K1II, Kawai K4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIDI2XS Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Trebuchet removes the odor. Trebuchet the catapult-like weapon, or trebuchet the font? I found no other meaning of the word... Another possibility - it even has alcoholic content, although it might leave its own distinctive aroma: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24678/79979/?ba=bros By the way, if you use Windex, it might be a good idea to avoid the type that has ammonia in it, which can damage some plastics. Yamaha: Motif XF6 and XS6, A3000V2, A4000, YS200 | Korg: T3EX, 05R/W | Fender Chroma Polaris | Roland U-220 | Etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr88s Posted November 5, 2013 Author Share Posted November 5, 2013 Another possibility - it even has alcoholic content, although it might leave its own distinctive aroma: http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/24678/79979/?ba=bros Mmmmm... Cleaning cigarette smell with beer..... Nord Stage 2 Compact, Yamaha MODX8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Nightime Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Not sure I'd want to try to clean the keys with beer. Now, drinking the beer WHILE cleaning........ "In the beginning, Adam had the blues, 'cause he was lonesome. So God helped him and created woman. Now everybody's got the blues." Willie Dixon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIDI2XS Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Not sure I'd want to try to clean the keys with beer. Nor would I (it was just another "Trebuchet" reference) - but I didn't think I needed to include a smilie. Now, drinking the beer WHILE cleaning........ Fine, as long as that doesn't lead to spilling the non-beer cleaning fluid, or confusing the two. Yamaha: Motif XF6 and XS6, A3000V2, A4000, YS200 | Korg: T3EX, 05R/W | Fender Chroma Polaris | Roland U-220 | Etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Loving Posted November 5, 2013 Share Posted November 5, 2013 Fabuloso "Forget it, Jake. It's Chinatown." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Weiser Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 I always use just a touch of Windex. For a while when I was at Kurz, there was a software guy who would often play my boards with all manner of nastiness on his hands - felt like he wiped a pepperoni pizza on the keys. So I ended up using the Windex solution quite often and it always did the trick. (The software engineer was otherwise a lovely guy.) https://www.theboywhowantedtorock.com http://www.weisersound.com https://www.facebook.com/weisersound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazz+ Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Windex is a solvent... dish washing soap is gentler and it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brettymike Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 I'm listening to Dave W. , he worked at the Kurz. key(and others) coalface for years . And I'm saying , if everything else fails - try handcleaner - that's directly on the keys . Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WesG Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 Hand cleaner probably works because it's full of rubbing alcohol... The reason I like iso-propyl alcohol is because if it somehow works its way into the electronics, it is very unlikely to do any harm, as it evaporates quickly. The higher the % the better. Hammond: L111, M100, M3, BC, CV, Franken CV, A100, D152, C3, B3 Leslie: 710, 760, 51C, 147, 145, 122, 22H, 31H Yamaha: CP4, DGX-620, DX7II-FD-E!, PF85, DX9 Roland: VR-09, RD-800 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr88s Posted November 6, 2013 Author Share Posted November 6, 2013 Hand cleaner probably works because it's full of rubbing alcohol... The reason I like iso-propyl alcohol is because if it somehow works its way into the electronics, it is very unlikely to do any harm, as it evaporates quickly. The higher the % the better. True. I used to work in a lab and we used to disinfect by squirting 100% ethanol. Once wiped to a thin film, the stuff would evaporate within seconds right in front of your eyes... Nord Stage 2 Compact, Yamaha MODX8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Weiser Posted November 6, 2013 Share Posted November 6, 2013 I'm listening to Dave W. , he worked at the Kurz. key(and others) coalface for years . And I'm saying , if everything else fails - try handcleaner - that's directly on the keys . Brett Just try to make sure that none of it drips down in between the keys. A little bit is all you need. https://www.theboywhowantedtorock.com http://www.weisersound.com https://www.facebook.com/weisersound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pankertedz Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 You could use a dish washing liquid.Cleaning experts also suggest the use of white vinegar in certain cases like this. Don't press harder while scrubbing.It may damage the keys!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluzeyone Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I use rubbing alcohol. +1 then a light coat of armour all .. I like em a little slippery.. Friction can break things! "A good mix is subjective to one's cilia." http://hitnmiss.yolasite.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brettymike Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 If all of the above fails - before the armour all , gently try 1500-2000 grit wet&dry paper . Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synthoid Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 If all of the above fails http://redbeacon.s3.amazonaws.com/homeguides%2Farticles%2Fthumbs%2Fdallas_sandblasting_guide_1.jpg.600x275_q85_crop.jpg When an eel hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's a Moray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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