Inconsistent space between keys - technical support /return

[Elivagar]

Hi all - long time lurker, first time poster! I've been shopping around for a Nord Stage 3 for a couple of years now, and finally went out and bought one last week from a retailer that was running a 20% off sale. The keyboard is fantastic, and I'm having a lot of fun playing with it and learning it's features. However, I wanted to get some feedback on an issue with the one I purchased.

The Nord Stage 3 I bought has inconsistent spacing between the keys, across the entire keybed. The gaps between two white keys (B to C, E to F) is slightly larger than all the others but this isn't really a problem. My biggest concern is the space between an F and G key, where the gap on wither side is quite large, and the gap between these two is quite small (not rubbing together, but close).

So my question to the community here is - is this typical for Nord workmanship? If not, should I try exchanging it at the retailer for another keyboard with more uniform key spacing? Or would it be more appropriate to put in a technical support ticket with Nord to have their technicians adjust the 'alignment'?

Much appreciated - thanks all.

[cgrafx]

this has nothing to do with Nord workmanship. They don't build their own keybeds they buy them from suppliers like Akai and Fatar.

Nord will not do anything about this issue as it would not be considered a defect. You could try to return your Nord and get another one, but there is not guarantee it would not show the exact same spacing properties.

If the keys are not rubbing I don't believe there is reason to be concerned about this issue.

[Ledbetter]

All electronic key beds I have used, for the last 50 years have a bit of play in the keys. Even my Kawai baby grand, which was almost new when I bought it. Even the brand new Rhodes I bought in 1976. This is actually e good thing, since they would be more prone to damage when played strenuously if the keys were locked stiffly in place from side to side. If you ever take apart a piano action, you will see that the keys float on pins that go through holes in the keys with felt bushings in them. They are tightened when needed by recompressing the felt bushing, or replacing it if needed. Go wiggle the keys on a good piano and you will still find a slight amount of play. Hope this is helpful.

[Gen1piano]

There shouldnt be inconsistent spaces between keys, or excessive play from side to side. Ive heard of this problem with the Nord grand also, so it seems to be 'a nord thing' I own another brand and all keys have consistent key spacing and horizontal movement is there, but minimal. Sloppy keybeds are not good and are poor workmanship. For what Nord charge for their keyboards there should be no sloppy keybeds or inconsistent spacing of keys. Thats just bad, and is another reason preventing me from purchasing a Nord even though I would love to.

[Valpurgis]

The keybeds used in all Nord keyboards are from Fatar except the Nord Grands which are made by Kawai. The same Fatar keybeds are in use by several synth, stage piano and midi controller manufacturers and will eventually prevent you from buying a lot of interesting equipment. I agree fully with the comments made by Ledbetter.

[maxpiano]

There shouldnt be inconsistent spaces between keys, or excessive play from side to side. Ive heard of this problem with the Nord grand also, so it seems to be 'a nord thing' I own another brand and all keys have consistent key spacing and horizontal movement is there, but minimal. Sloppy keybeds are not good and are poor workmanship. For what Nord charge for their keyboards there should be no sloppy keybeds or inconsistent spacing of keys. Thats just bad, and is another reason preventing me from purchasing a Nord even though I would love to.

Please define "excessive" because as other said any piano keyboard can show some lateral play... then, you have "heard" things but have you ever tried to play one, to see if that's actually a problem for you? Maybe yes but making decisions on musical instruments just on rumors imo is not the most effective way, a personal test of the specific models of interest (in a shop or friend owner's or ultimately buying it with a full refund return policy) is.

[Gen1piano]

No smoke without fire as they say, and when you see numerous reports of the same problem occuring on the same instrument, that has to be a problem.
Yes keys do have some lateral movement, but when its very loose it causes clicky keys. I tried a Nord grand and I pointed out to the guy in the shop lateral movement was very loose and there was also some roll that you could twist the key without much resistants.
It also had the spacing issue, where some gaps between keys were slightly wider in places.
I also tried another Nord with fatar action and a numa with fatar. Didnt like those at all. Very rattly plasticy feeling. Maybe OK geared towards the synth side.
I really love the Nord grand for its tone and playability in how there is a real connection to pressing the keys and the sound. But the slack latteral movement and spacing issues, plus hearing the same problems and customers returning the grand to be fixed, doesn't bode well for long term use. Its probably more Kawai to blame perhaps as they supply the keybed and there have been issues with the mp7se.
A big part of me wants to purchase the Nord grand, but im held back by problems reported and seen.

If anyone on here has the grand and has had no problems with it in the first year or two I would love to know. That might ease my conscerns that maybe problems ive read and experienced in store, are not as common as they seem.