Free Keyboard Replacement for CVP-207

[r_d_wilson_47714]

I know this has been discussed at great length already, but...

Are there any CVP-207 owners in our group who have had their entire keyboard replaced free by Yamaha who have NOT had any keyboard problems at all with the unit? I have not had any keyboard problems yet with my 207, but feel Yamaha should go ahead and replace the keyboard with a new one, given all the keyboard problems with the 200-odd series documented in this message board.

I thought I would pose this question here before contacting the Yamaha service department, as they may just give me the brush-off if no problems have surfaced to this point. The problem is that my 5-year warranty expires in one year (this may not be an issue in the case of keyboard problems anyway), and I do not know what the keys look like INSIDE MY 207. It is possible they may by developing problems that would surface in the future, given the stories I have read here!

Anyone--please advise and comment.:eek:

[linjon]

although I see your point, I would guess you have zero chance of yamaha replacing a perfectly good kb.

[r_d_wilson_47714]

Does everyone agree, or are there people who have had their entire keyboard replaced by Yamaha who have NOT had any key failure?

Others--feel free to leave your opinion here.:confused:

Thanks to all for their input on my CVP-207 keyboard issue.:cool:

[Ian J. Evans]

I have kept in touch with my dealer about this issue and according to him they have only ever had one keyboard problem and it was replaced by Yamaha. I purchased my 209 in August 2003 and so far no problems.

I wonder if it is possible that Yamaha discovered the key breaking problem in time to correct it before the end of the manufacturing period for the odd numbered models...?

If so then they would not want to replace all keyboards as a routine event.

Maybe the user's that have had problems would supply the model/serial numbers so that it would be possible to trace the time of manufacture, in order to pinpoint when the defective keys were used.

I live in Canada, maybe the models sold here are different...?

Maybe there are differences in the models sold in other market areas...?

Just some thoughts on the subject.

Ian

[dancaputi]

I'll send my kids over - they'll break a key for you in no time flat!
;)

With mine, only 1 key was actually sticking and it was only sometimes. There were 2 others that were starting to go and so they sent me the new kb.

You could check this by looking at the gaps between adjacent keys. Make sure they're perfectly uniform across the entire keyboard. If you see any uneven spacing, get the replacement.

- Dan C.

[Ian J. Evans]

Originally posted by dancaputi

You could check this by looking at the gaps between adjacent keys. Make sure they're perfectly uniform across the entire keyboard. If you see any uneven spacing, get the replacement.

- Dan C. [/B]

Dan

How much gap difference are you meaning...? More than a mm or less...?

I don't think one could expect 'perfect' gaps between each key, but MORE than a mm or larger DIFFERENCE would perhaps be cause for concern that something was wrong, or it's sloppy workmanship.

My keyboard gaps vary from one mm to one & half mm max, looking down on top. If I look at the end/front of the key the gaps are smaller and very consistent. I think the latter view is probably the one to gauge by.

Please don't send the kids, I'm too old for that...<GRIN>

Hope to hear from you.

Ian

[cowpast]

The gap, or lack of it, may not be noticeable unless you are looking for it but once you see it you will know it, (if that makes any sense). In my case I first noticed it when a key started to stick as if it was rubbing the key next to it. In the second case the key did not stick but I noticed it when I looked down on it. The fracture occurs on the right backside of the key where it slips over a knuckle which allows it to shift slightly to the left.

Officially it seems that the replacement is being done on a case by case basis. They do ask for the serial number which could only be to verify that it's not a grey market piano or it could also mean that it only occurs in a certain manufacturing run. I ordered a replacement through my dealer, the keyboard was shipped there where I picked it up. I did the replacement myself and trashed the old unit as they didn't want it back. In one other case, (Dan's) the keyboard was shipped to his home and he did the replacement.

I would suggest giving the service number a call if you think you might have some key trouble and see what develops.

[Ian J. Evans]

I am not aware of any problems with my keyboard, I have just been responding to the initiator and subsequent posters to this thread. It was suggested that Yamaha should replace all the 2xx series keyboards as a routine fix due to the nimber of problems, I think this maybe wishful thinking.

However, I am interested to know just how the problem(s) have manifested in case of a future problem with my own.

Ian

[cowpast]

It can't hurt to call them anyway to see what they have to say. So far, there hasn't been any mention that someone without the problem has checked to see what their policy actually is in that case.

They never publicly stated that they were replacing problematic keyboards either. A few of us had replaced multiple keys before it became known that they would replace the entire keyboard. It's worth a shot especially if you don't intend to upgrade anytime soon.

[dancaputi]

Ian,
It was the end/front of the white keys that I could easily see the gap difference. I would say it was about 1 or more mm's off - almost rubbing but I could still slip a piece of paper between and therefore they weren't actually sticking.
So yes, it would be pretty obvious if you had the problem.
- Dan C.

[Ian J. Evans]

Thanks Dan

It's obvious I do not have a problem with my keyboard at this time and hopefully will never have. However, I will keep my eye on it.

I can't see the point in contacting Yamaha to talk about a 'maybe' problem in the future as someone suggested. If i ever have any problems the first person I will contact is my dealer who i think is very good.

You have put my mind at rest.

Ian

[r_d_wilson_47714]

So far my CVP-207 keyboard has had no problems yet, at 4 years after the purchase. What if the keyboard develops problems several years from now--after my warranty is expired [you have 5 years warranty on parts]? What then? Do you think Yamaha would replace it free of charge then?

It's something to think about. Comments, anyone??:confused:

[linjon]

If there's a history of these having bad keyboards ( as there is ), they may very well replace it year 6 or 7.
hope it doesn't come to that.

[cowpast]

I can't see the point in contacting Yamaha to talk about a 'maybe' problem in the future as someone suggested.

That's one approach, but I think I would want to be a little more proactive and find exactly what the policy might be. The only way to get that info is from Yamaha. If they say wait until a key or two bite the dust, then so be it.

My next question would be, "and how long will that policy be in effect???". If they say 6 months or a year then it's time for the grandkiddies to start practicing their dance steps on the keyboard.

But who knows?..For the price of a free phone call, the worst that can happen is you'll be shot down, the best scenario is you end up with a brand new (and better) keyboard.

[r_d_wilson_47714]

In June 2007 I filed a request online at the web page "Yamaha Customer Support Request Form," asking Yamaha to replace my CVP-207 keyboard, telling them that I knew through the CVPUG message board that there were known problems with my original keyboard, and this was admitted by Yamaha. A few weeks later a representative from Yamaha phoned me, and was getting ready to tell me that they cannot just replace every keyboard because a few were having problems (mine had given me no problems until after I filed this web page request). At this point I informed him that the E above middle C was sticking (it had warped toward the D-natural and was hanging on that key). He then changed his mind and told me that Yamaha would stand behind this instrument and replace my entire keyboard, which was done on 6-22-07.

Yamaha has a list of serial numbers of early CVP-207s that have the defective keyboard, and mine was evidently on that list.

I commend Yamaha for standing behind their great reputation. I did have to pay the labor installation cost, but now have a new keyboard.

Some technical information: According to the paperwork accompanying the replacement keyboard, my new keyboard is the (GHD/HED) model. My original keyboard was a (GH/HE/GHDcl) model.

My piano technician told me that the new keyboard is a much better one than the original. He said the new keyboard is a "heavy duty" model.

A question for anyone: How does my new keyboard compare to the "GH3" keyboard used on many of the newer Clavinovas? How does it compare to the "all-wood" keyboards on the high-end Clavinovas?

Another question: Does anyone know what the above letter combinations stand for? I would love to know (don’t just make up something if you don’t really know the meaning of these letters for sure).

ONE FINAL THO'T: Yamaha ISN'T seeking out the owners of Yamaha keyboard instruments that have defective keyboards, nor or they informing Yamaha dealers--or technicians--that problems exist with these keyboard instruments. NOW--doesn't that make a great argument for all to join the CVPUG message board? Othewise, I NEVER would have known about this problem. Thanks, CVPUG members! :cool: