CLP-170... is this normal?

[Rich]

Just dragged myself away from the 170. The piano sound is wonderful... especially with the iAFC set to Dynamic Damper Effect. It's great to have a 'piano' back in the house...

I have noticed a little clicking sound emanating from the keys when they're pressed more than 'piano'. Easiest to hear when the volume is turned right down... you hear the normal 'thud' on depressing a key (fine), but there's a little clicking sound at the same time. Hard to describe really, maybe I'll record it. My ears pick up this little sound even when the volume is at 1 o'clock. If it's normal that's fine... I'll get accustomed to it. Does anyone else hear it on theirs?

I can foresee many happy hours for us, playing this beauty.

All the best,
Rich

[feketejim]

Hi Rich:

I've had my 170 for about a month now, and am really enjoying starting to play again, after a 25 year hiatus. I really like the instrument.

I haven't noticed the clicking sound that you refer to, though. Does it happen with all keys?

Regards,

Jim

[Rich]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for replying. I was beginning to think I was the only CLP-170 owner here :D

Yup, every key... I probably wouldn't have mentioned it, it's just that I know the box (when the CLP arrived) was manouvered on it's end to get to my front door. Actually, it was dragged off the lorry (only one man) while I wasn't looking and probably dropped on its end onto the road. It simply occurred to me when I first heard the sound, that maybe the keyboard had been damaged in some way.

Today, I've been hearing some resonant buzzing (not the sample itself) when the F above middle C is played a few times in succession (high velocity). Also, the E above the C above middle C doesn't sound too good at high velocity, but I can't do anything about that, as it's the sample.

It really was a 'Mickey Mouse' delivery service from Sounds Musical in London. I still haven't received the paperwork! Haven't heard back over the delivery fiasco I described in another thread either.

I'm a bit reluctant to go back to Sounds Musical with these potential problems because if they haven't sent the paperwork by now, or refunded me part of the delivery costs, they probably won't care much about customer service. I'd have to go direct to Yamaha... it is all so contrary to what their website states and to how helpful they were on the phone initially.

Ah well...

When I get the DAT recorder out next I'll record a few key presses and post an MP3 on my website. Hopefully, it IS just normal and I'm just concerned over nothing... or my ears are too sensitive.

I think it's great that you're playing again after a 25 year break!
It's certainly a lovely instrument.

All the best,
Rich

[Rich]

I've posted an MP3 clip of the mysterious (but perhaps normal?) clicking sound at:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/richmusic/clp170.html

For anyone who listens, please let me know your thoughts. Thank you.

All the best,
Rich

[Rich]

For anyone following my 'experience' with Sounds Musical in London...

My invoice arrived today! One month and two days after purchase. The invoice itself (dated 1st March) looks like a print out from an old fax machine...

Strangely, the envelope has 'UK PIANOS The Piano Rental Specialists www.ukpianos.co.uk' on the front .

I believe this company has at least 4 website addresses:

www.ukpianos.co.uk
www.pianosale.co.uk
www.yamaha-piano.co.uk
www.digital-piano.co.uk

Still no word on compensation regarding the delivery fiasco...

About these clicking sounds... after listening to the MP3, does anyone else recognise them? Cheers...

All the best,
Rich

[ragvand]

I would visit a dealer in your area that has a CLP-170 on display and try the keyboard there to see if you get the same cliking sound. If you do then it's probably normal.
I have a CVP-209 and if I put my ear right up to the keyboard and play it with the Clavinova turned off, I think I do hear a faint click. It's very faint so I'm not sure if what I am hearing is the same thing you are hearing.

[Ian J. Evans]

I think Ragvand's recommendation is a good one.

I have a CVP209 and I do not hear any clicking when the keys are depressed, even when the piano is not turned on. The only 'noise' I hear is the usual noise that one would expect when the key bottoms out if pressed firmly.

I was in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for the last two months and while there I browsed in a large music store and checked out a CVP 900 just to pass time. I was amazed at how noisy the keyboard was, it was much more noisy than a Yamaha grand acoustic piano. The 900 has the so called natural piano keyboard touch, I was not impressed. My 209 is virtually silent by comparison.

Ian

[7zark7]

Rich,

I purchased a CLP-170 from sounds musical in london on 29th Dec last year. It arrived the next day but I did see the box upright in the lorry - not flat as the box says all over it. I helped him carry it off the lorry and into the house properly (btw it is very heavy so if you're not that strong it would be an idea to have someone else to help at delivery time). I was concerned that it had been on its side during transit though, but then this may be the case when delivered to any other musical shop.

My invoice arrived last friday and looks like the one you described.

As for the clicking noise - I get a very faint clicking noise (like ragvand) but not as loud as your recording.

I will have a listen tonight and hopefully get a chance to listen to one in a shop this weekend.

[Rich]

Thank you ragvand, Ian and 7zark7 for your replies and advice... much appreciated.

All the best,
Rich