Page 1 of 3
Nord Piano 4 "88 keys" chopped to "61 Keys"
Posted: 19 Jul 2022, 16:09
by PianoLuminescent
Hi everyone, just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Pierre and I'm a pianist and busker in Toronto Canada.
So, I bought a Nord Piano 4 "88 keys" few weeks ago, and already chopped it to an awesome "61 keys" keyboard.
And, that lower the weight a lot too!
So now, I load the Nord in a beach cart "with stand, battery pack, speaker, bench, hat, etc.." and go on the transit BUS and GO train to Toronto downtown parks easy.
Love my small Nord 4.
Happy to be part of this community!
Take care!
Re: Nord Piano 4 "88 keys" chopped to "61 Keys"
Posted: 19 Jul 2022, 16:28
by Tasten-Bert
Hey there
and a very warm welcome to this wonderful forum of nord enthusiasts. You seem to fit in here quite well.
You aren‘t joking with your Piano, are you? Does it work alright? Looks like a very smart tool for on the road.
Cheers from Germany
Re: Nord Piano 4 "88 keys" chopped to "61 Keys"
Posted: 19 Jul 2022, 17:22
by PianoLuminescent
Hi Tasten-Bert, thank you for your warm welcome !
It's real, work very well, perfect for on the "transit" roads.
Take about 40 hours to do the conversion.
I also chopped a Yamaha P-125 to 61 keys, 3 years ago. I still use that one when the weather outside is very bad and cool.
I install the Yamaha with heating wires inside the keybed, so I can play in winter too.
Happy music!
Re: Nord Piano 4 "88 keys" chopped to "61 Keys"
Posted: 19 Jul 2022, 17:23
by Schorsch
Hello and welcome!
How did you cut down the 88 keys Piano to 61 keys, can you let us know in detail?
Re: Nord Piano 4 "88 keys" chopped to "61 Keys"
Posted: 19 Jul 2022, 17:31
by PianoLuminescent
Hi Schorsch, thank you for the welcome.
Yes, I cut down the 88 keys to 61 keys. With a dremel cutting discs, I cut down the keybed metal frame and keys contacts board.
And use a electric Jig Saw to cut the piano exterior frame.
Re: Nord Piano 4 "88 keys" chopped to "61 Keys"
Posted: 20 Jul 2022, 00:28
by Elias
Wow. That's some daring enthusiasm right there. I guess if you really need something enough, you'll somehow make it. And heating wires inside the keybed are on another level.
Re: Nord Piano 4 "88 keys" chopped to "61 Keys"
Posted: 20 Jul 2022, 03:08
by PianoLuminescent
Hi Elias, yes it's was a bit scary, $4,000 cdn in the drain if I screw up!
But work perfectly.
You think my Nord Warranty is still valid...?
And the Yamaha heating keys, well, Canadian weather is very cool most of the year!
Re: Nord Piano 4 "88 keys" chopped to "61 Keys"
Posted: 20 Jul 2022, 06:53
by Hlaalu
PianoLuminescent wrote:
You think my Nord Warranty is still valid...?
First of all kudos for your work, it must have been a fair challenge. But to be honest I assumed you had purchased the Piano 4 second hand! Of course the warranty isn't valid anymore... was that a joke?

Re: Nord Piano 4 "88 keys" chopped to "61 Keys"
Posted: 20 Jul 2022, 08:22
by Spider
Wow, I admire your DIY skills...and your courage at doing this on a $4K instrument! I could imagine using a cheap board like the P-125 for such experiments, but on a brand new Nord...wow!
And I agree that heated keys are just the coolest thing (pun intended) I've ever heard of!
Welcome to the forum!

Re: Nord Piano 4 "88 keys" chopped to "61 Keys"
Posted: 20 Jul 2022, 09:27
by Eriknie
Nice, I one replaced a none weighted keyboard in a Kurzweil PC3 with a weighted 76 keyboard from a Studiologic midicontroller. Lot's of work, but in the end a Unique Kurzweil.
In the end it is a matter of trust and endurance.
I always like these modifications!