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Vintage Synth Repair

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RE: [vintagesynthrepair] Roland EM2000 arranger

2008-08-18 by Scott Nordlund

Based on my experience, you'd probably have better luck pulling the circuit boards out and getting at it from the back. It's not so difficult if you're careful and note screw locations, etc. If you're lucky the boards will have removable Molex connectors that you can disconnect (carefully). If you're not so lucky, there will be ribbon cables soldered directly to the boards. I suggest applying some hot glue to each side of this connection (as a sort of stress relief to reduce the chance of damage) before proceeding.

If you're wanting to remove keys, you'll most likely find yourself faced with a strip of rubber dome switches. You'd then have to remove all of the keys and pull off the silicone rubber strip. You may only be able to re-attach it from the back.

I don't have an EM2000, nor do I know how they work, this is only my best guess based on what is most commonly used for modern keyboards. I can't really be much of a guide, so do some careful exploration and adjust your approach accordingly.

To: vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com
From: amh78833@...
Date: Sun, 17 Aug 2008 22:53:43 -0400
Subject: Re: [vintagesynthrepair] Roland EM2000 arranger


Hi Francois and anyone else who may know,
Thanks for all the info so far. I have finally had time to take the Roland apart. I was hoping that just blowing it out might make my couple of keys start working! LOL.......
but NO........... So I removed the keyboard and looked it over. There is an electronic board screwed to the underside and nothing to really see. It appears I have two choices at this point.... to disconnect the electronic board under the keys or try to remove just the keys that are not working. I see that there is a spring behind each key and it appears that if I remove the spring, it should be able to move slightly forward and disengage from a "catch" of sorts that is towards the front of the key which holds it down and in place...........
What say you?...........On one hand, removing the entire under board will give me a look-see at all the contacts (I think)...however, is there a trick to this?....does anyone know?
The other question would be if I DID decide to remove just a key at a time, any suggestions for removing the springs? Looks like each spring is situated in a guide that locks it in...... My approach would be to put a narrow row through it and "pop" it out?.........sound right?
Thanks all
Adele (and a VERY pretty name your daughter has, Francois!! LOL....You are French I am assuming?....... In an effort to find where that name actually comes from, I've asked all of the Adele's I've met in my life what their heritage is........probably only 7 or 8.......non of which have heritage from the same place.........but this would make two that would be French.... I am half Italian and part German and a few other things....... so really don't know where though I was occasionally called Adelina by my Italian family..)
----- Original Message -----
From: francois
Sent: Saturday, August 09, 2008 1:00 PM
Subject: RE: [vintagesynthrepair] Roland EM2000 arranger

Hi Adele,

if no pattern can be found on dead keys, it really sounds like more an oxydation issue than a connector/bus trouble. Was your keyboard stored in a moistured place? I've never opened this keyboard, so my advice might be not fully applicable.
- use a large workspace away from kids and pets and be prepared to use it for a couple of days.
- get a bunch of small plastic contents to store the screws while opening the case. Don't mix screws.
- if you don't have the right screwdriver, buy a good one. A cheap ;or wrong screwdriver will ruin your screws.
- if you have a digital camera, taking step-by-step pictures. Useful when reclosing the case.
- Once all screws removed, take care when you open the case: there might be a ground wire (green).
- it's better to remove the keyboard from the case. However, it could means removing a couple of other boards. Your judgement will guide you.
- take pictures of connectors position before removing them. Some could be rather tough to remove; your fingertips could be painfull after then. Don't use excessive force nor unadapted tools (pliers).
- avoid touching ICs; some are fragile enough to be harmed by ESD (electrostatic discharge). Being grounded is also a good idea.
- contacts could be de-oxyded with a QTip and a dedicated product such as Caig Deoxit. When really oxyded, I sometimes scrub with toothpaste/toothbrush and thoroughly clean the residue.
- reclosing the case is straightforward.

Hope this helps

François
(my daughter is named Adele as well; sweet name :-)



To: vintagesynthrepair@yahoogroups.com
From: amh78833@comcast.net
Date: Sat, 9 Aug 2008 14:47:27 +0000
Subject: [vintagesynthrepair] Roland EM2000 arranger


Hope it is ok to ask for help here.

My keyboard had been sitting a while and a couple of keys weren't
working. I was able to get them going by striking the keys a number
of times and all was well.

The keyboard was sitting for a while longer and a couple different
keys stopped working, not the same keys. Unfortunately, I cannot get
the keys to work by that same method.

I would like to open it and see what is going on...dust, oxidation,
rust, wear.....

I did check all the keys now and have found no pattern so I believe it
is not an electronic issue. Here is what is not working:
Octave 1 F# and A; Octave 2 C# and E; Octave 4 B; Octave 5 Eb

I haven't been able to find a service manual and there are MANY screws
on the bottom to open this. Any tricks or warnings? I have done
computer/electronic repair before so not too worried.....On the other
hand, I don't want to destroy anything else.

Second question is if it is just the contacts, any economical
suggestions besides replacing them?

Thanks very much........

Adele
in CT




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