Hello,
I am an average guitarist, but a complete keyboard novice. I found a
P6 in pretty bad condition in a second hand store. It needs a lot of
care, cleaning, maintenance, and repair. I have found that Old Crow
site and it has been helpful. Also, I am learning a lot of
information(and appreciation for this cool old synth) from this
discussion group. Anyhow, I would like to completely restore, and
maybe even modify/update/midi equip/etc. this beauty. But, I see that
I'm going to need some support since I'm a newbie. Here's where I
have gotten on my own so far. I turned it on and couldn't get much
sound out of it except for some intermittent sound from a some of the
keys.
Step 1- I checked the net for solutions. I downloaded the owner's
manual and some kind of service/schematic pages. I hit Old Crow's
page, found out about the leaky battery problem, and removed it asap.
It had leaked, but mostly on the battery itself, not really on the
board. What's a good solvent for this cleanup? Should I try to
neutralize the leaked conductive battery base(alkaline)(KOH?) with a
mild acid(acetic acid/vinegar)?
I am still trying to figure out my next move. I forsee myself REMOTE
mounting a replacement so this potential leakage problem will never
occur(at least not in a sensitive area). I have contacted Mr. Rogina
about buying a MIDI card to add to it. That should be fun.
Step 2-I pulled the keyboard and cleaned the contacts with an eraser
and alcohol. I cleaned out a large number of cigarette butts that a
former owner had shoved in under the keys in order to provide more
force and contact from the keys. I think that I actually made it
worse, because now I can't get any keys to sound. But, if I remove
and bypass the keys and press the rubber strip down with my finger
each note sounds properly. A couple of keys show signs of breakage
and glue repair at their fulcrum point where they meet the metal, but
seem to function properly. Two of the rubber contact strip boots are
torn a little. The felt strips are worn through. The little rubber
bushing guide things are missing on many keys(they look like very
small, black rubber bands that slip around the top of the metal key
guide posts). So, I figure that the keyboard is pretty shot. Are any
complete replacements available, or would you try some other contact
cleaning method? If I can get this one working, can someone please
sell me a C key and spring???(or tell me a source?) Also, I am
missing 7 bank? button covers. Also, where could I get felt strips?
I have another keyboard (Yamaha PSR-520) that I am willing to use for
parts if needed. Could I remove its keyboard and solder each contact
in place of the P6's?
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Brad
jbgoodchild@netzero.net