[sdiy] optical retrofit for minis?

[david at therogoffs.com]

> 
> Here's the situation:
> 
> Minimoog keyboard actions are dying left and right.
> More and more frequently, the plating on the contact springs and 
> bussbars are wearing through, springs stretched, buss bars bent and 
> the rubber standoffs on the contact board hardening. I have several 
> minis here, all with restored electronics, but with bad keyboards.
> The clients are looking into options (buying another mini for parts, 
> MIDI, etc.)
> 

Kevin,

how about magnets/reed switches?  I used these to MIDI an old organ pedalboard.  I'm not sure how fast and even the response would be, but it's worth checking out.  The install is pretty easy and requires no change to the keyboard electronics.
I'ts been a while, but I'd guess it would only cost a couple of dollars/key (2 reed switches + magnet).

 David