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I've got a Stage 3 88 that has a problem with only one key, the second to lowest A. If I play it too "enthusiastically" the back of the key gets stuck upward and it produces no sound. I can pop the rear of the key back into place and it works again, but I would like to fix this problem as I use this particular note a lot in the show I regularly play.
I took the case off and found that the pink clip that the keys snap into is slightly misshapen on this problem note. The "arm" of the pink clip should stick out away from the body of the clip, but this one is more or less parallel to the body, not sticking out slightly.
I've tried to take photos comparing a properly functioning clip to the problem one.
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IMG_5614.jpeg (1.09 MiB) Viewed 1851 times
There are also videos of me installing a key properly (you can hear the "click" when it is in place), and me trying to install the problem key with no clip.
Finally there is a photo of the back of the keybed. You can clearly see the arm of the pink clip on the problem key is not in the same position as the ones surrounding it.
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Is there an easy fix to this? Do I need to replace the entire clip? Is this a DIY-level job?
Is that plastic lip broken or lost its elasticity (and so it does not click in place)?
If so I suspect that the best thing would be change the pink piece for a new one. Not sure that is something you can do as the metal rod will have to be removed (at least partially) to insert the new piece.
As a last resort operation I would try to put the key back in and then with some thin pointy instrument try to help it clicking in place.
Good luck and let us know when you resolved it and how.
Mr_-G- wrote: ↑02 May 2025, 21:35
Is that plastic lip broken or lost its elasticity (and so it does not click in place)?
Yes, it appears to have lost its elasticity so it doesn't click into place. I finally took it to a repair guy with some replacement clips ordered from Syntaur. He couldn't get the rod to budge at all and ended up calling Nord. They told him to repair that clip would require replacing the entire keybed! That ain't happenin. He finally used a heat gun and some "encouragement" to get it to click into place. I haven't gigged with it yet (we'll see on Saturday!), but initial tests seem to have resolved the issue.
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I am getting ready to purchase the Stage 4 and am concerned with the keybed standing up to hard use. I sometimes play aggressively and wonder if this keyboard/bed can take some hard hits without an early failure.
Does anyone have some long term experience with wear and tear on these keyboards? How do they hold up under hard use?
I am not proficient, talented, or patient enough to repair problems such as the one you have described. There are no Nord techs in my location.
Thanks in advance.
MD
doctorkeys wrote: ↑13 Jul 2025, 08:55
I am getting ready to purchase the Stage 4 and am concerned with the keybed standing up to hard use. I sometimes play aggressively and wonder if this keyboard/bed can take some hard hits without an early failure.
Does anyone have some long term experience with wear and tear on these keyboards? How do they hold up under hard use?
I am not proficient, talented, or patient enough to repair problems such as the one you have described. There are no Nord techs in my location.
Thanks in advance.
MD
Nord uses Fatar keybeds, the same ones used by many mfgrs. My first Nord was an Electro 2, so I've got well over a decade's worth of experience playing these boards.
I can be an aggressive and enthusiastic player, not quite Jerry Lee Lewis but in the same vein. I think the Fatar keybeds are well-made and have stood up well for me over many years of heavy-handed playing.
The only repairs that have been needed is when my NS2 fell off its stand and landed on a corner, ejecting several keys and denting the case. BTW, the ejected keys went back in place after the dent was repaired.
The earlier Fatar unweighted keybeds can get loose and rattle-y after several years, but they're still quite playable.
Cphollis,
Thank you for that good report on the Stage 4 key bed.
It eases my concerns and will certainly help me in making my decision to purchase.
Take care,
MD
