WITHOUT PREJUDICE
Yamaha Clavinova sticking keys / sticky keys / stuck keys – problem with one or more white keys – key can be played but stays stuck down or only partly returns or returns very slowly – can be lifted up again but is reluctant to return by itself – key leans slightly sideways viewed from the front. In some cases the rear of the key has broken so much that it is loose and sits higher than adjacent keys.
If your piano is a model known to have this problem, it needs a complete new keyboard assembly. This is the only way to fix the problem permanently.
Replacing sticking keys is a temporary fix – it will NOT remove the problem.
I have ONE brand new CLP170 keyboard assembly left. It could be modified for most of the other affected models by changing its contact boards.
If you live in the UK, want to have this new keyboard assembly fitted to your Clavinova and can bring the top part of your piano to me, please get in touch. Tell me which model you have. If it needs different contact boards I might already have these. If not, I can tell you which ones to order. You can order these yourself from Yamaha.
If you are buying a used/second-hand/old Clavinova from ebay or anywhere it would be advisable to ask if it has any sticking keys.
The seller might know if the piano had this problem and then had a replacement keyboard assembly fitted. If so, that’s very good news!
NOTE – don’t buy a keyboard assembly for a Yamaha piano from ebay or similar.
It is probably from a piano with the sticky key problem and is only fit for scrap!
When I was involved in replacing affected keyboard assemblies I used to wrecked the old one so there was no way it could be re-sold and give people problems!
Don’t buy so-called refurbished keys as these have more than likely come from a keyboard with sticky keys problems. If so, they will eventually start sticking – possibly in a very short time. New keys are not very expensive and, even if fitted in a piano with the sticky key problem, should last a few years before they eventually start sticking.
Before you ring to see if your Clavinova piano is one of those affected look under the keyboard (where your knees go) and write down the Model number and the Serial number.
HINT – I find it easier to lie on my back on the floor to look up under the piano.
1 – the model number
2 – the serial number
3 – your name
4 – your telephone number and when I can ring you
Please do not waste your time (and mine) by telephoning without giving this info!
IF YOU ARE NOT IN THE U.K. PLEASE CONTACT YAMAHA IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY
December 2013 update from Yamaha UK:
They have stopped supplying F.O.C. keyboard assemblies.
You can still order these but they are chargeable.
There may be a cheaper remedy – see ANOTHER IDEA below.
September 2012 update from Yamaha UK: support still continues for some models.
Time is of the essence – support won’t continue forever for the remaining models.
The costs of labour and travelling are payable by the customer.
December 2010 update: the models affected are now about 8 to 12 years old but amazingly Yamaha are continuing to supply the parts F.O.C. for the time being to a recognised repairer or repair centre.
The costs of labour and travelling are payable by the customer.
Originally Yamaha paid the labour and travelling costs of the recognised repairer or repair centre.
Later this was reduced to a fixed price regardless of distance or which model – which was strange because this work takes far longer in some models than others.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PIANO IS ONE OF THOSE AFFECTED BUT NO LONGER SUPPORTED
Other than throwing away the piano, there is only one remedy.
The complete keyboard assembly must be replaced.
I have ONE brand new CLP170 keyboard assembly left.
Not cheap, but cheaper than a new piano and end of sticky key problems.
Replacing sticky keys is only a temporary solution.
More keys will start sticking. Eventually the new keys will also start sticking.
The problem has been known for a long time and all the proper repairers/engineers/technicians are well aware of this. Unbelievably, for models where free keyboard assemblies were available, some unscrupulous repairers were replacing sticky keys and charging customers – often making several visits and charging each time – and even telling customers downright lies like “it must be the way you play it”!
If you are paying to have a sticky key or keys replaced, it is worth bearing in mind that a few calls like this will end up costing more than having a new keyboard assembly fitted in the first place.
ANOTHER IDEA
Not a permanent fix either but another way of keeping your piano going.
I could show you how to do the job so you can replace keys yourself when they need doing.
You need to be good at mechanical things and you’d have to come here with the top of your piano.
You need to buy new keys from Yamaha first. I have very few left and Yamaha closed my spares account without warning because I hadn’t ordered anything for over a year after my wife became ill and died.
OTHER STUFF
Info about INSURANCE CLAIMS on Home page.
IMPORTANT NOTES REGARDING REPAIRS AND “SERVICING”
Modern electronic pianos, keyboards etc. do NOT need servicing
Is your piano or keyboard playing ok? Then it does NOT need anything doing to it.
If anyone recommended servicing my electronic piano, as opposed to just repairing it,
I wouldn’t let them. I know these products only need attention when they go wrong.
It is a waste of money to have all your piano’s contacts cleaned or changed if it’s playing normally apart from a couple of notes.
It is standard practice for me to vacuum out the muck and fluff that accumulates inside.
It costs almost nothing to do and lessens the chance of more contact problems but it is not necessary to replace contacts or contact boards unless there is bad corrosion from a spillage.
It is wrong to charge people for something which doesn’t need doing.
As the saying goes “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it!”
Many of my customers have said that their music shop told them their piano or keyboard could not be repaired. Owners of Technics pianos usually get told this when trying to find an engineer or technician who repairs Technics.
Music shops who do not carry out repairs are not really able to advise on repairs.
You would be better advised by someone like myself who is only a repairer because,
unlike a shop, I won’t try to sell you a new one!
DISCLAIMERS
Goods here for repair are at your own risk entirely as they are not insured for any eventuality.
Goods here for repair will be sold or disposed of if there has been no word from the owner for 3 months.
E&OE