[sdiy] Where to get *new* keyboard assemblies?

[thx1138]

On 7/2/09 1:44 AM, "Graham Atkins" <gatkins at blueyonder.co.uk> wrote:

> Hi Karl,
> 
> In the late 70's / early 80's there were 2 companies making good
> keyboards,
> Pratt-Read in the US and Kimber-Allen in the UK. Both made good quality
> plastic organ / synth types. In the UK Maplin Electronics supplied a
> range of
> Kimber-Allen keyboards with traditional key contact blocks for their
> kits. I
> suppose the far east manufacturers took away most of the business. I
> see the
> Pratt-Read name still exists, but making screwdrivers these days.
> Kimber-Allen
> still make traditional organ electrics including wooden keybeds, but
> importantly
> still make the contact blocks. Here is a link to their site :-
> 
> http://www.kimberallen.8m.net/index.html
> 
> I believe Fatar are the only european manufacturer of synth keybeds
> now. I
> guess the likes of Roland / Korg / Yamaha etc source their parts in
> the east.
> It may be worth asking Moog where they get their
> keyboards.....probably in
> the east as well.
> 
> The only other way is to watch Ebay for things like Yamaha porta
> keyboards
> going cheap but in fair condition, then strip the keyboard out. Bob
> Weigel is
> another man to talk to. He has been working on a practical repair
> solution
> for used keybeds with bubble contact problems.
> 
> Look at the Kimber-Allen contact blocks, they are very nice.
> 
> Graham
> 
> On 2 Jul 2009, at 05:58, Karl Ekdahl wrote:
> 
>> 
>> Hi list
>> 
>> Does anyone know where to get *new* keyboard assemblies? I'm just
>> wondering, is this something you've got to fabricate to get a hold
>> of - is there no supplier somewhere? I was hoping for something with
>> mini-keys, but anything will do..
>> 
>> Karl
>> 
>> 
>>      __________________________________________________________
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> 
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Hi Folks,

OEM keyboard manufacturer Fatar in Italy is difficult to get any attention
with unless you are speaking volume quantities.

Pratt-Read is gone of course, but I have not checked with Kimber - Allen to
see what is possible.

At E-Mu , I designed in a Panasonic weighted keyboard for the Emulator II
but I have been unable to get any current status on their OEM keyboard line.

At PPG, I used the Pratt-Read keyboard that E-Mu had designed and for the
PRK we used a Wooden Piano action from Walter Kluge in Wuppertal Germany. I
recently discussed this action and it might be possible to obtain a Piano
type action but a setup charge might be required. Steinway acquired Walter
Kluge around 1998 I believe.

Another place to check would be the Wersi Organ Kit guys. I have not chatted
with them in over 10 years but they may also be viable in providing keyboard
assemblies.

I have been using M-Audio Midi keyboards (Fatar based) and just ripping the
keyboard out and interfacing to my MCU boards.

Yamaha Service Dept. in Buena Park, Calif. Is another source of of
keyboards. Contact Paul Morte Technical Sevices in Orange, Calif.
714-532-9540. Paul Morte is the repair Contractor for Yamaha Corp. and he
can order these for you. Mention my name , Terry Shultz, as a reference
point might help you get what you need. He repairs all of Yamaha's returned
gear from Music stores , customers etc. for Yamaha Corp.

I believe Dave Smith uses Fatar as well, but I could be wrong. Chinese
keybeds are popping up I hear, but I have yet checked into who the reps are.

Most companies hate dealing with Hobbyists I have found, but I find it
easier to just buy inexpensive M-Audio Midi Station 61 keyboards and
repackage the action.

That is about the most info I can provide at the moment. Hope it helps
someone.

Regards,

Terry Shultz
DSP and ARM Audio Technology
Freescale Inc.