Nord Stage 3 Compact Keybed WAY TOO HEAVY

[kevbasskeys]

Hi everyone! I recently purchased a Nord Stage 3 Compact in mint condition & was super dismayed to find the action to be ridiculously heavy and slow compared to my previous Stage 2 EX. I'd read some of the posts on this forum from a few years ago where some folks were able to lighten the action & would like to swap out the existing key return springs for some lighter ones, but can't seem to find an entire set anywhere. Does anyone know where I can get some or have any other suggestions other than clamping down all the keys for a few weeks (which I don't really have the tools to do)? Is it possible to just replace the entire keybed of my Stage 3 with the one from my Stage 2 EX? I really love the action on all the prior 73 key Nords as well as the action of the new Hammond SK-Pro (which is incredibly quick!!) and wish there was a way to get the action and Organ sounds of the SK-Pro with the Piano & Synth sounds of the Nord.

[PolishPrince]

That's strange... Did someone spill maple syrup on the keys? I have a Hammond A100 next to my NS3C so I can compare the action simultaneously. I can say that the stage 3 has only a slightly heavier action than the Hammond. It's in no way heavy at all. Sounds like you've got either maple syrup or possibly chicken grease in your keybed.

[Kaffimusic]

Hi, I do not know about the NS2Ex, but indeed the keys of the 3 compact are pretty hard to press. It is a Fatar waterfall keybed, but not with it´s standard springs. Nord obviously put harder ones in it - maybe to fake heavier piano-keys. This topic has been discussed several times here, as I remember. The next things I write is without being 100% sure, so enjoy with caution. The keybed is a Fatar TP8/O http://www.fatar.com/Pages/TP_8O.htm. Search for that in the forum, maybe you find a link to buy them. There should be at least one synth-parts vendor in the US for that. Maybe you have to import from Europe, since Fatar is Italian.

[Schorsch]

Hi,

not sure if a full replacement of the keybed would work or if there have been some mods mande spefically for Nord. However, there are a few threads in this forum about changing the springs to lighter ones, see these for example (and you may also search for other threads):

nord-electro-forum-f9/changing-return-s ... 20026.html

post142325.html?hilit=springs#p142325

That might be an option if you feel confident to do the work?

[FZiegler]

...ridiculously heavy and slow compared to my previous Stage 2 EX.

I can't compare to a Stage 2 ex or a Hammond - the only organs I rarely played before getting my NS3C were acoustic church organs. So maybe the action is heavy in relation to other digital organs. But I'd never say that it's slow. Even thought that they used harder springs to get the action faster (quicker release). That part of your message is odd to me.

[wtibbit]

The S3C I owned and used for a couple of years didn't seem heavy or slow to me. I played it simultaneously with an XK-5 - mostly for piano sounds - and it felt a just a bit stiffer than a typical organ action, but certainly not slow, uncomfortable or difficult to play. I regularly played an acoustic piano actions, a Yamaha S90es, and two traditional Hammond consoles during that time, so I didn't simply become accustomed to the the S3C's key bed. I can only envision two situations or events that could cause an entire key bed to be stiffer/heavier than designed; a manufacturing error where incorrect, heavier than specified springs are installed, or heavier springs being installed by the previous owner. Have you compared your S3C's key bed with another S3C's?

[analogika]

The keybed on my Stage 3 compact was noticeably heavier-action than the Stage 2 it replaced. This actually made for a better compromise when playing pianos, I felt at the time.

It may have loosened up a bit over the last five years, I suppose, but it still feels like a pretty good compromise between Hammond, Clav, and playable pianos.

[cphollis]

Hmmm, I've played keyboards with light, feathery actions -- great for certain styles -- but never really preferred them. Like @analogika, I find the slightly heavier (but still not fully weighted) near perfect for a lot of stuff: organ shredding, fast clav stuff, and non-shredding synth work. Then again, I got there playing aggressive acoustic piano, so plenty of hand strength etc. Not sure if I would want anything lighter that way.

[hernjov1]

Also remember that the NS3C is listed to have a semi weighted waterfall key bed complimenting piano, organ, synth playing all together....I like the action, and feel that with the heavier springs used will loosen up a bit over time, but if any players play harder, and more aggressive like I do will find the board to be a perfect fit....Best wishes...

[bubbajazz]

FWIW...I just switched over from a Hammond XK-1 to NS3c, brand new. After about 2 weeks, I stopped noticing the difference.

Before you tear apart a $3,000+ box, might be worth just getting used to it. I find after a short adjustment window, I am fine with the mildly stiffer action after all, not finding it an impediment.

YMMV, of course...