Paper Clips fell between keys (ouch) - Help!!

[PianoManChuck]

So I had a handful of paper clips to refill the paper clip dispenser as I walked past the Stage 2... but something happened and they fell onto the keys and some (at least 6) had fallen between the keys and into the board. I immediately powered down the Stage 2 and unplugged it. Its now in its gig bag (so it won't be used by anyone) standing up on its side.
Anyone know if there's an easy way to open it up and get those paper clips out? I would hate to drag the unit over to a service center for that
Thanks in advance...

[mjbrands]

You can try unscrewing one of the wooden ends (two screws) and try and shake them out. If that doesn't work well enough, put some pillows or something similar on the ground and put your NS2 on top of that, upside down. Unscrew both wooden ends. Look at the bottom and you should notice the screws are mostly aligned in rows going from left to right. There are two identical rows near the front of the NS2; those hold the keybed against the black bottom. There should be one row with only 1-2 screws (roughly in the center of the unit), unscrew those.

Turn the NS2 over again (keys up) and unscrew the screws on the back that fasten the red top panel to the black bottom. You should now be able to gently lift the top of the unit; if not, try to discover where the top and bottom are still held together and undo those screws (they'll likely be on the bottom). When you can lift up the top panel, be careful with the two gray ribbon cables (orange connectors), they damage fairly easily. You could unplug the two ribbon cables, but if you do I really advise you to take some photos of where they go and be aware of the fact the connectors may be wider than the bits the plug in to on the mainboard.

Anyway, I don't think you need to unplug the ribbon cables; I think that if you lift up one end, you can slide/shake the paperclips to the other end. Then you should just be able to take then out, while holding the top panel with your free hand.

Of course, given the weight you might want to have someone assist you, especially when you turn the unit over. It probably goes without saying, don't touch the electronics (electrostatic discharge might damage them) and keep your fingers out of the power supply on the right; it might still give you a zap.

[PianoManChuck]

Thanks!!! I tried unscrewing one of the wooden ends (actually 5 screws) but it seems to be attached at the top to the top (red) metal case. I don't really want to mess with taking the entire case off and/or messing around with ribbon cables because I don't know what I'm doing and I'm afraid I'll really mess something up
I'll play with it some more to see if there might be some way to separate the wood from the metal. I can lift it (the wooden end piece) somewhat (now that its unscrewed), which made me happy because I thought I could just keep it lifted enough to shake the paper clips out, but, lifting it exposes the bottom metal portion of the case which is not flat across, it has a lip that curves upward so turning the unit on its side simply collects the paper clips against that lip... I can't lift the wooden end high enough to clear the lip.
Thanks again for your help anyway I'll try a little more and may end up taking it in to a service center

[PianoManChuck]

UPDATE: SUCCESS!!!!!!
Even though the best I could do with the side wood panel was to unscrew and just lift it up slightly, and look like I'm using the NS2 as my dance partner on the floor, it finally worked!! All the paper clips are out (I hope... I don't hear any more rattling around in there). I secured the bolts I unscrewed, hooked it all up and turned it on (covering my eyes)... All is well!
Thank you so much for your help! Forums like this are awesome for all users (and future users)!

[mjbrands]

There's one or two metal supports between the front of the red top panel (near the keys) and the black bottom. These make it so that when you press on the top panel, it doesn't flex. These are screwed to the bottom plate and this is what I was referring to with the 1-2 screws mentioned above.

I had a Stage 2 SW73, which is quite a bit lighter than your HA88 and has less screws holding the thing together.

Better safe than sorry; if feel you have to force things open, than don't. It is easy to cause quite a bit more damage than the paperclips would.

Anyway, you could look up Pable Mastodon's contact details on the forum, as he does tech support for Nord in the US. He can probably advise you on how to best proceed.

[Frantz]

Good story ending !
Use Patafix now Chuck

[Mr_-G-]

Use Patafix now Chuck

Or a cover... seriously.
Somebody spilled a bit of beer over mine while setting up. It did not cause a problem because fortunately, I was using a plastic cover.
Since that day I always use the cover as soon as the NS2 is out of the bag and remove it just before playing. It should keep dust away from those key contacts too.
Glad you sorted it out.

[Diego5150]

Use Patafix now Chuck

Or a cover... seriously.
Somebody spilled a bit of beer over mine while setting up. It did not cause a problem because fortunately, I was using a plastic cover.
Since that day I always use the cover as soon as the NS2 is out of the bag and remove it just before playing. It should keep dust away from those key contacts too.
Glad you sorted it out.

+1
Glad to hear it worked out well in the end for you Chuck.