Piano Repair, Illustrated

[Mr. Nightime]

A couple weeks ago I mentioned that something fell on my Korg SP-200 and broke a couple keys. Luckily, I went to the club early to set up, and had the time to SuperGlue the broken keys. I called Korg, then Antique Electronics, and ordered the replacement keys. Well, the new keys came in today, and the repair has been done.

 

These are the keys that broke, A4 & B4

http://static.flickr.com/103/299807016_a9307dc83b.jpg

 

The first thing I did was remove the front plate off the piano.

http://static.flickr.com/112/299807017_5703451d1d.jpg

 

Then I pulled off the rest of the case, leaving just the keyboard.

 

http://static.flickr.com/121/299807020_2dae4cbfda.jpg

 

The key pivot point is at the very back of the key.

 

http://static.flickr.com/105/299807023_10dd675246.jpg

 

 

Key removal was quite easy. Just press the green tab with a screwdriver, and the key pops right off.

 

http://static.flickr.com/101/299807876_ec64f946ae.jpg

 

Then the new ones snap right on.

 

http://static.flickr.com/103/299807877_c756ceda45.jpg

 

After removing the old key, I found out just how well SuperGlue can work. This key actually worked!

 

http://static.flickr.com/103/299807879_98c2427713.jpg

 

Then it was just a matter of putting it back together, and it was as good as new.

 

http://static.flickr.com/109/299807881_a2968e535b.jpg

[Mr. Nightime]

The SP-200 uses a Fatar keyboard. Here you can see the weights on the underside of the keyboard.

 

 

http://static.flickr.com/111/299807025_bb23ff897d.jpg

 

When you press a key, the weight travels up.

 

http://static.flickr.com/99/299807027_f1c60395f0.jpg

[Trill]

Thanks for the pics Ron. Even though I don't own a Korg ,I think its a good idea to photo document our repairs for everyones benefit here, and future reference.

[dp2]

That's pretty cool. Nevertheless, I'm curious . . . how did your keys get the way they were in the first pic?

[SilverDragonSoun]

Originally posted by Trill:

Thanks for the pics Ron. Even though I don't own a Korg ,I think its a good idea to photo document our repairs for everyones benefit here, and future reference.

I absolutely agree but I do own a korg, just not one with weighted keys. None the less its fascinating to see these pictures and follow the process.

[delirium]

How many parts have you had left outside after you finished?

[Mr. Nightime]

Originally posted by dp2:

That's pretty cool. Nevertheless, I'm curious . . . how did your keys get the way they were in the first pic?

I had some help moving my gear out of a club, and I think the guy helping just wasn't very careful. Something must have fallen on the keys at that time, and the shock went through the case to the keys. The A was in 9 pieces. I SuperGlued the biggest pieces together so I could get through the gigs until I could get the replacements. When I opened the case to make the repair, I got out 4 small pieces that were still rattleing around. Time for a better case.

 

How many parts have you had left outside after you finished?

This time, none.

 

 

It will be nice to have it back whole at tonight and tomorrow's gig. The unevenness of the SuperGlu repair was hard on the fingertips.

[dementedchord]

Originally posted by delirium:

How many parts have you had left outside after you finished?

i used to work for a guy who'ld toss a couple extra screws on the bench when i wasnt looking... came real close to beating him one day... never did it again though....