Yamaha Clavinova CVP-203 Sticky Keys

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Yamaha Clavinova CVP-203 Sticky Keys

by John
(Huntsville AL)

How do I fix sticky keys.
E (above middle C), B (above that), and E (above that)
all are sticky. All three keys have the same basic shape, ie, they are each just below a straight-line key (F and C).
Any clues??

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Yamaha Clavinova CVP-203 Sticky Keys

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Jan 17, 2010
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Sticky Keys CVP 203
by: Alfred

Dear John: The symptoms are typical of worn or dirty Underlay Pads. Before assuming my diagnosis is correct, give those keys short strong bursts of compressed air (can type), followed by a strong vacuuming around the perimeters of the offending keys. If neither action solves your problem, how much you "love" your unit will prompt you to seek the help of a QUALIFIED TECHNICIAN (Preferably Yamaha-authorized). Replacing Underlay Pads is not normally a DIY project. It is quite labor intensive and certainly not for a tinker with no experience.
Play it safe and get the job done by a pro. You have our thanks in advance if you let us know how you fare. Good luck.

Jan 29, 2010
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cvp 203 keybed issues
by: John

Hi, i have had my cvp 203 now for about 7 years and after about 3-4 i got a couple of keys sticking, so I phones up yamaha, and apparently there was a batch done with incorrect lubricant on the keys, and mine was one of them, so they sent out a technician and replaced the entire keybed for free.

Maybe yours is one too?

Hope that helps
John

Jan 29, 2010
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Yamaha CVP 203 Sticky Keys
by: Alfred

Dear John: The Forum needs more people like you participating in passing on the good news. Dick Rector and I have been trying to encourage other members to be more active, and your contribution is really heartening. You never can tell if/when you may need a helping hand, and some guy will come up with a constructive comment. Keep well.

Apr 26, 2010
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bad key greese
by: Anonymous

A big problem with that vintage. May be covered at no charge to you,mine was. Call Yamaha or a warrenty repair shop.

May 15, 2010
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Yamaha Clavinova Sticky Keys
by: Karen

We have the Yamaha Clavinova CVP-107. Two of the keys were sticking, a third one was "bouncy".

I went to youtube today because I remember seeing a video on there for disassembling a similar model and had tried it last year, just to do a clean-up of the keys. It was scary, since I thought I could wreck the whole thing, but I tried it.

Well, our problem proceeded to get worse over the course of this past year, so I went to youtube again. Now that I REALLY know how to do it all, I would do it again. It really is simple once you've done it. Throughout doing it, I was VERY nervous and concerned that I would ruin something.

Here is the link to take it apart:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhUbfaUAayc&feature=fvw

And the link to put the keys back on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8HzWe0p2Tg&feature=related

I frequently pushed pause on the first video, as I did each step, and then pushed play again. I did not have the exact same interior where the keyboard itself had those screws in the same areas, so I did not loosen the keyboard. Also, I propped up the electrical part area instead of just pushing it back since it really wasn't high enough when I pushed it back and out of the way.

When it tells you to put the key back on, you have to keep the key almost level. Then, lower the front (bottom) of the key back onto the keyboard. This will be close to the black, front edge of the whole piano. If you pull on that front edge gently, towards yourself, to create more room to set the key down, you will see that the edge / notch inside the key can fit down over the part that is inside the piano, slide forward and on, and then snap down at the back end (top) of the key. Once I figured out to pull the keyboard edge towards me, it was SO much easier.

Also, instead of ordering new keys ahead of time (I hear they cost about $12 a piece) I just took keys from the very far ends of the piano - the ones we practically never use - and put those in the spots where the keys were sticking - you know, just swapped places with the bad ones.

I hope this helps. I'm very pleased with the results, and it cost me nothing!

Sep 01, 2010
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More sticky keys
by: Erika

Hi Karen
and where do you live? I have a Clavinova CVP8 with several black sticky keys. Did you - as a woman - do the job yourself? Is some electronic knowledge not required? I don't have that self confidence. The tip about using keys to swap is great. I'll keep looking for someone to help, hate to give up on the instrument and expert repair, esp. since they would have to come to your house, would be pricey. Thanks, Erika

Oct 01, 2010
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Sticky keys
by: Anonymous

Comment by John regarding a manufacturing problem is quite correct. Yamaha can replace whole keybeds under warranty even after 8 years in my experience ( I have changed at least 10 in the area I work in ) at no charge to the customer.

All that is needed is :

Must be the original owner from new ( not applicable to 2nd hand items )

Must be Clavinova CLP or CVP ( not portable pianos such as P85 etc )

Model, serial number, and your address details ore submitted via an approved repairer and then Yamaha check against list of serial numbers and instruct repair to be completed.

Easy.

If you need help contact me and I will try and help.

Dec 07, 2010
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lots of defective keys
by: Rach

We bought our CVP203 in the UK in 2003. But now we're in the Middle East and more and more keys are becoming "sticky" or not responding normally.

Was the Yamaha company that replaced somebody's whole keybed for free in the US? There is a Yamaha dealer here in Qatar and I have asked them before about repairing the keys but they do not do it. They said I need to pay for shipment of the whole keybed from Japan! What recourse do I have? Where or how exactly do I find out if my unit is included in the "defective batch" of CVPs?

Dec 08, 2010
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Sticky keys
by: Erika

I contacted Yamaha with Model and Serial numbers, found out my CVP is not included in any free replacement of the keyboard. Have an estimate of 500.- to replace it, 400.- for the whole keyboard and 100.- for installation. Better than buying the keys at 15.- (up from 12.-)x 88. I had a few sticky keys, had some exchanged with lower or upper keys, only to find within a short time many more going bad.I was told the spring at the end of each key is cutting a small groove into the key and that a 'sticky' problem can only get worse. Still better than buying new with no guaranty of longtime problem free usage.

Dec 23, 2010
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CVP-203 Sticky Keys
by: Gee

Our Clavanova's sticky Keys have been an issue for some time, but we could never find a certified technician until this week and then I happily came upon this blog. The recommended directions posted above seem simple. I hope to report later that our CVP qualifies for the replacement. Thanks. Gee

Dec 24, 2010
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Policy Update
by: Anonymous

Yamaha have just notified certified technicians in the UK that as from 1st January 2011 the terms of the warranty replacement is changing.

After this date Yamaha UK will supply a replacement keybed if your Clavinova is one of those with the problem BUT any associated charges for fitting will now be the responsibility of the end user.

Any call out charges and labour charges must now be met by the end user.

Any claims already authorised by Yamaha will be honoured even if the replacement does not take place until after the new cut off date.

Feb 01, 2012
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La verdadera causa NEW
by: Eduardo

La verdadera causa de las teclas que se atascan en todos los Clavinova es una fisura que se produce en la cola de la teclas, especialmente en las asimétricas (C,E,B,etc). A veces es muy poco visible pero con seguridad está presente. Las teclas fisuradas se ven cruzadas mirándolas desde el frente del teclado. Se pueden reparar con cemento de cianoacrilato, repasando los sobrantes para que la tecla asiente bien. Sin embargo como tarde o temprano ocurre en todas, una solución cruda pero efectiva es recortar la 1mm de la goma de la guía delantera para que la tecla tenga mas holgura y no se atasque aunque esté cruzada.

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