Nord User Forum

Hi I am getting ready to start a project doing early 60s Merseybeat stuff and I'm getting ready to purchase a Nord electro 3 61. However I am going to do some custom things and need some advice. I want to reverse the color of the keys - make the black ones white and the white ones black. I understand this sort of thing will probably void the warranty but where and who would you get to do something like this. I'm located in Los Angeles.

Thanks in advance!

I would find out from Nord who makes the keyboard in the Electro, and contact that company directly to see if they have a reverse 61 keyboard. My guess is that this will be more trouble and cost that it will be worth for the image.

As a DIY project, it would be relatively easy to make the white keys black, but making the black keys white would probably prove to be difficult.

OMG, you gotta be kiddin' dude. If you really must just stick some flowers on the front but leave'em keys alone............
))))

DJKeys wrote:I would find out from Nord who makes the keyboard in the Electro, and contact that company directly to see if they have a reverse 61 keyboard.

Hello cutmyearoff,
The keyboard in a Nord Electro 3 is a TP/80 made by Fatar.
I don't believe that they have a reverse color scheme keyboard available for the NE3.
Fatar doesn't like to deal with the public, good luck contacting them.

I have to agree with Shark, that the risk and effort to change the keys isn't worth it.
just my 2 centavos worth
Cheers, Hanon

Fatar does make reverse color keys, they are used on the bottom octave of the Numa organ. But I don't know (a) whether those keys are compatible with what's used in the Nord, and (b) whether there's any way to get the keys separately. Maybe a Numa dealer could order them as service parts.

Thanks for the amusing responses. I'm not going to paint or do anything myself as I want it the keyboard to look professional. It may be more trouble than it is worth so I may not do it. I sent an email to Fatar to inquire and will be interested to see if they respond to my email.

Aesthetically speaking, flowers won't cut it for this gig as we're doing harder surf type early 60's music - not flower power dude ;O) Not meaning to offend any Nord puritans as I do have a NS2 88 that I absolutely love.

The keyboard will be put in a larger box-like, tuck and rolled vinyl shell, with a chromed logo and will be on a stand that can rotate 360 degrees. A very theatrical type set up.

I'll let this board know what happens. Thanks again!

@cutmyearoff : just post some pictures of the customising process, i am eager to look at the final result !

That sounds like a crazy project, would be very curious to see your final gig rig. 360 degree rotation is extremely cool!!
The black keys look cool, e.g., on the Nord Lead Anniversary Model (http://www.clavia.se/main.asp?tm=Produc ... sary_Model)
I agree with hadrien, please post some pics if you decide to go for it!

I understand this sort of thing will probably void the warranty...

I am a bit amused about the word "probably" in this sentence

hmm 360° keyboard, can be a bit of a flashy gimmick if done like Lawrence Gowan spinning at a Styx concert (a bit OTT if you ask me...)
Always wondered how you keep the cables from getting all tangled up when you do more than 3 spins in the same direction?

Splendid idea
Looking foreward to pictures!!!