How do I fix a stuck key on a CVP-207

[samthedog4]

I have plenty of kids in my house playing the CVP-207. Some are mine, some only pass through. Most of them play the piano. I recently noticed that the "E" key above middle "C" sticks a little. Looking down at the keyboard the bad key also leans to the left against the D key. I have read the posts on how to look for a hairline crack in the key and how to replace a broken key. The think I can't figure out is how to disassemble the keyboard so I can inspect the sticking key. (I am hoping there is a surprise under it)

I know I can buy a repair manual from Yamaha but it seems like a lot of money to know only one secret. Can anyone help me and tell me how to get the keyboard apart so I can work on the key. It seems like there must be some screws holding it together but I can't figure out where they might be.

help!!!!

[ClavinovaGuy]

You're gonna have to trust me on this - you want the manual. It isn't rocket science, but there are a lot of steps, and the pictures are very valuable. You have to remove the top lid, the roll-up keyboard cover, and the control panel.

If you want to have a look, first roll the keyboard cover down about halfway. Then (facing the piano) look in the corners just under the top lid, and you will see a screw on each side (you will probably need a flashlight) - these screws are at an angle. If you remove those screws (use a magnetized screwdriver), you can then slide the lid to release it from its bracket and lift it up and off. That won't get you far enough to inspect the key, which actually has to be removed before you can determine if it is cracked, but one look should convince you to order the manual ;-)

[samthedog4]

OK - you convinced me I will order the repair guide. Here is a follow up question since you seem to be in the know. If I find that the key in the middle of the piano is in fact cracked is it possible to swap the bad key with a key at either end of the piano since I rarely use those keys?
And thank you kindly for the fast reply!

[cowpast]

Not practical and more trouble than it's worth, since the cost of the key is only about $15.
It would also have to be an "E" key. Each key in an octave is different and the keys on either end are different from all the others.

[ClavinovaGuy]

Yes, you can swap any white key of the same note, other than the keys at the ends of the keyboard, and it is my understanding that all the black keys are intererchangeable (I never had a problem with a black key) . That may come in handy down the road if you need to make a repair faster than you can get a part. But I would go ahead and order that "E" key with the manual - I'd say there's a 99% chance it's cracked. That is the exact symptom, where the key leans a bit to one side, causing it to stick.

[ClavinovaGuy]

I dug a couple of bad keys out of the drawer (not sure why I kept them - LOL!) and took a picture - the photo quality is lacking, as my digital doesn't do close-ups very well, and my photography skills are even worse than my piano playing. In the picture are two broken keys, laying upside-down. The one on the left has an obvious gouge out of the end (left side of the end of the key). The one on the right looks more like an unbroken key, except there is a hairline crack, which I circled with a pen. If you don't see any obvious damage to your key, you may have to see if you can grab that part and wiggle it - even a very small crack weakens the key so that it won't stay in place properly. Hope this helps some.

http://www.imagehosting.us/imagehosting/showimg.jpg/?id=274326

[cookp]

I've just had that very same problem on my CVP205, bought about 27 months ago. Spoke with Yamaha Customer Services here in the UK and they have agreed to replace the complete keyboard unit free of charge, despite being out of warranty.

There's obviously a known problem with this range. Once they had my serial number they offered me the replacement without prompting.

Suggest you try the same approach.

Good luck.

[ClavinovaGuy]

I agree wholeheartedly - I had them replace my keyboard as well, after breaking 11 keys. I'm still not sure if this is a problem across all 200-series, or if it was just a particular manufacturing run. But there are a fair number of us on this board that have had problems.