Nord Electro 6D with uneven keys and sliver. Return?

[dreamfolk]

Hi, I have just purchased a brand new Nord Electro 6D and I love it. It's a wonderful instrument. But it has some cosmetic flaws, two of them affecting the keybed. I don't know if these are normal or should I return the unit and get another one. I sent a video to the store and they answered that these are minor cosmetic flaws that don't affect playability and that other units could have similar flaws, so they won't exchange it for another unit. But I'm still within the time frame for a return, so I could simply return it and buy another one. But I'm concerned that, if this is normal as they say, I could pass through the process to end up getting another unit with similar or worst flaws. Could you give me some feedback considering your own experience with Nord keyboards? These are the flaws:

1) There is more separation between the front of the keys and the metal base on the left side of the keybed than on the right side. On the left edge of the keybed I can fit a ruler in the gap while it does not fit on the right side. So the keybed seems to be poorly placed, a bit off-center so to say. It is barely noticeable and doesn't affect playability, but I don't know if this is normal in a high end keyboard.

2) The last two keys, especially the last one, have a slightly lower height than the previous ones. And, comparing the height of the keys on the entire keybed, there is a difference of 2-3 millimeters between the height of the key on the far left of the keybed and the height of the key on the far right. In other words, the far left of the keybed is 2-3 mm higher that the far right.

These uneveness along the keybed is very slight and doesn't affect playability, but I don't know if this is a normal defect in such a expensive keyboard.

3) In the gap between the right end of the keyboard and the side wooden panel I can see what looks like a sliver coming off the internal side of the wood end.

Here are some photos so you can see:

Last keys slightly lower than the rest

PXL_20231229_161812108.MP.jpg (6.71 MiB) Viewed 2053 times

The ruler fits in the gap

PXL_20240104_094514346.jpg (2.04 MiB) Viewed 2053 times

The ruler does not fit in the gap

PXL_20240104_094521901.jpg (1.76 MiB) Viewed 2053 times

The sliver

PXL_20231229_172819774.TS_exported_153819_1704361644930.jpg (176.69 KiB) Viewed 2053 times

The sliver, closer view

PXL_20231229_172819774.TS_exported_156629_1704362142492.jpg (124.42 KiB) Viewed 2053 times

The 'sliver' is more just a cosmetic flaw and wouldn't be a problem since you can only see it if you look very closely into the gap but it worries me, again, to see these defects on a high end keyboard, especially the slight uneveness of the keybed. I would expect a perfect condition unit given the expensiveness of the instrument but then again I don't know if these are really minor flaws to be expected in any unit as the store technical department claims. What do you think?

[FZiegler]

When I was a student, I bought a bike from a small manufacturer, a local co-op. It was probably twice as expensive as a special deal from a supermarket, but certainly not twice as good. It took me a few months to decide in favour of it. And when I got it, I looked at it the same way you seem to look at your instrument. It was rock solid and with a good feel concerning social responsibility. But I had to get away with a few imperfections as well. Same thing with bio eggs I'm buying: Part of the price is in favour of the hens - no double taste experience for me.

So, in my eyes, a Nord Electro 6D is certainly not a high end keyboard by its price. It is in some aspects: sturdy body, great sounds, more or less solid controllers, great repairability (in relation to some other digital gear), even special calibration for the key action - but the keyboard is the same as Fatar produces for other brands as well. And in the end, The Electro is a tool, not a piece of art.

So, if you aren't happy with the overall experience you are offered, give it back. You might even get a better one: There are fractions of a millimeter difference in the hight of the keys and that unevenness may personally play a big role while playing - but probably not at the end of the board. So I understand the retailer who doesn't want to open a warranty case.

You won't get a 'perfect condition unit' depending on what you expect by 'perfect'. If something awakens your suspicion that there may have been an accident with the unit, that's a different thing: You should be able to trust in your gear. My main point is: Nords are relatively expensive, but in this world this is not a reason to expect a wonder machine. Just reasonable quality. And a few boni in relation to other gear.

BTW, I wasn't able to identify what you call a sliver on those photos.

[dreamfolk]

So, if you aren't happy with the overall experience you are offered, give it back. You might even get a better one: There are fractions of a millimeter difference in the hight of the keys and that unevenness may personally play a big role while playing - but probably not at the end of the board. So I understand the retailer who doesn't want to open a warranty case.

You won't get a 'perfect condition unit' depending on what you expect by 'perfect'. If something awakens your suspicion that there may have been an accident with the unit, that's a different thing: You should be able to trust in your gear. My main point is: Nords are relatively expensive, but in this world this is not a reason to expect a wonder machine. Just reasonable quality. And a few boni in relation to other gear.

I see your point and agree. And maybe I'm too picky. (I am, I know me. ) Nevertheless, I'd like to know if these defects are commonly found on Nord keyboards or they are more or less rare. Because if they are common, I can accept the unit as it is and I'll be happy with it. But if they are rare, I would prefer to avoid them while I can, not only for my being picky, but also thinking of the problems and devaluation they could imply in case I need to resell it eventually. Also being pragmatic, or so I think.

BTW, I wasn't able to identify what you call a sliver on those photos.

It is there. I'm not sure how to call it. It's like a slice of wood detached from the surface of the panel. It seems like it's just above where the metal structure is inserted into the wood.

[Normski]

It's clear you are not happy with it. So return it.
If you still want another Nord 6d.
Go in person and fully inspect it before agreeing to buy it.
They are fabulous instruments that cost a lot of money and should last many years.

[wartaler]

Difficult to see in your photos, but is that a chip of the wooden side panel? On the same side of the keyboard 2 keys are slightly lower, as if something pushes them down a bit. I've seen some uneven keybeds before, especially waterfall and synth type keys, but in combination with that chip makes me wonder if something happened during transport. If it was out of warranty, I would open it up to check what is going on. You shouldn't of course.
I agree these are quite small/cosmetic defects, but if you can't live with it either return it or have it checked.

[dreamfolk]

It's clear you are not happy with it. So return it.
If you still want another Nord 6d.
Go in person and fully inspect it before agreeing to buy it.
They are fabulous instruments that cost a lot of money and should last many years.

Where I live there are no units available so it's the same as ordering online. You have to pay before they order it for you. So, not possible to previously inspect it. But I think it is unlikely that I'll get another uneven keybed so I'll take the risk anyway.

Difficult to see in your photos, but is that a chip of the wooden side panel? On the same side of the keyboard 2 keys are slightly lower, as if something pushes them down a bit. I've seen some uneven keybeds before, especially waterfall and synth type keys, but in combination with that chip makes me wonder if something happened during transport. If it was out of warranty, I would open it up to check what is going on. You shouldn't of course.
I agree these are quite small/cosmetic defects, but if you can't live with it either return it or have it checked.

Yes, that's the word, it is a chip of the wooden side panel, thanks! I was worried about it being a transport issue as you hint at, but the retailer ruled out that possibility apparently. In any case, I had the chance to look at a normal condition 61 keys unit yesterday and the uneveness of the whole keybed of my unit, in relation to the side panels became more obvious than what my photos show. I intend to have this instrument many years so I don't mind to wait for a unit with no apparent defects. I'll return it.

Thanks all for your comments.