MODX keybed

[jahfume]

Hello from a first time poster.

Great forum you have here with many knowlegeable thoughtful and generous people!

I have just put down payment on a MODX 8 at PMT ( Having got a tip-of from a thread on here about the 10% off Black Friday deal at PMT - thanks for that!)

Iv'e noticed on a floor model in the shop that the white keys an octave AND a HALF above middle C (So; G A B C and D)
are noisier than the rest of the key bed. This happens when the keys are released - there is a louder click sound than on other white keys.

Now this wont be noticed in a loud performance but I will be doing more practicing than gigging right now.

Im wondering -if this is a 'batch' issue if its worth waiting till the shop gets in the next shippment of MODX's in - as the defect may be rectified by then?

Could any of you MODX 8 owners report back if this occurs on your keybed?

[Ronsway]

I have had no problems with my keys on MODX-88 and have been practicing scales up and down the key bed with no noticeable noise. Im enjoying weighted keys compared to semiweighted keys on my other keyboard.

[DeltaJockey]

Hi Jahfume, welcome to the forum.

Your post is rather timely for me, as I've had my MODX8 for about a month now, and enjoying the GHS keybed. However just yesterday I've started to have this problem. My keybed noise was quite uniform from new across the range, with a dull thud upon release.
I've started having noise problems with a couple of black keys. It sounds to me like the felt damper which the metal hammer shank rests back to, has moved and the shank is now hitting plastic. I live in a rural area and it will be a great inconvenience to take it to a service tech under warranty, so I've decided to keep using it for awhile until it annoys me enough to motivate me to take it in.

From the spattering of reports I've read so far on this issue, I'm a little concerned at the quality control or design of the hammer damping.
I've only given the keybed light use in the time I've had it, and I don't gig with it, so I not sure where I will go with this now.

My advice is to be cautious, as even taking a perfectly good new one could result in a problem down the track. I hope you're right and it comes down to a batch. Given the number of reports so far, I hope Yamaha are looking into it, and might come back with a response.

The GHS keybed is used in many different instruments, so unless there are subtle differences in design of the MODX 8 version, it must be some sort of QC issue?

[Saul]

Hi Jahfume and a very warm welcome to the forum

There should not be any undue noise coming from the keybed so if that is the case I would advise passing that one by. I have not heard about any issues with the MODX6 and MODX7 so this is something to do with the way the GHS keybed is constructed on the MODX8.

From other reports I have head it sounds very much as DJ described and that the levers are hitting plastic rather than the damping felt that would normally be in place so it could indeed be a QC issue. Important to point out though that although it may seem like a common issue it is not but still, it is not something you should put up with and I don't think Yamaha would like anyone to be in any way disappointed with the action on the MODX8.

Luckily here in the UK we have some of the best consumer protection laws in the world. So not only do nearly all stores offer a 30 day no quibble exchange or refund but the law has you covered as well

PMT are generally speaking a good retailer and I think they will look after you so don't let a few reports put you off.

If you are unfortunate enough to end up with a MODX8 with the same key noise issue PMT will replace it for you. Of course IF you have that issue on a new keyboard I would say that is a little more than coincidence and given the other reports there is definitely a problem somewhere.

I know Yamaha are aware of it because I have raised it with them myself and pointed them to the threads on this forum so I am sure they are or have already looked into it.

By the way Jahfume I have sent you an email that may be worth checking!

[Stevie18]

Now the keybed issue hit my MODX8 as well . As many as 20 or so keys have developed the clonking sound over the past 2-3 weeks or so. I decided to not ignore that anymore. Also for the next couple of weeks I can make do without it, I still have my Montage . So I have scheduled a pickup for repair. Hopefully it won't take too long!

[Saul]

That's not good news at all! Are we going to see more MODX8's failing over time? Would be really interesting find out WHY they are failing. Will need to get onto this one!

[pax-eterna]

No, they are not failing. This is an inherent issue with the GHS Yamaha keybed. And has been ever since it was first introduced. It is fine when brand new, but after use the keys become "clackety" if I can use such a word. Same issues with the Casio PX-5S keybed!

[Saul]

No, they are not failing. This is an inherent issue with the GHS Yamaha keybed. And has been ever since it was first introduced. It is fine when brand new, but after use the keys become "clackety" if I can use such a word. Same issues with the Casio PX-5S keybed!

Ok so if it has been a problem for so long what exactly is causing it? Also there have been many variations of the Yamaha GHS keybed so is this happening on all of them?

[DeltaJockey]

Same issues with the Casio PX-5S keybed!

Interesting....I had a PX5S for a number of years and not had the problem. I still have a PX560, which has the same keybed, and it's fine too.
I must have been lucky , I guess

[pax-eterna]

Really depends on your level of tolerance I guess, and if you use earphones all the time! Check out the Casio forums and you'll see it is an issue!

@Saul it is the cheaper construction methods used by Yamaha for this downgraded (from the BHS used on Motif and Montage) keybed. And they are not swappable either as the BHS has a deeper pivot point.

Initially I thought Yamaha had somehow upgraded this keybed, but after about two weeks the old "clackety clack" was back!

[Saul]

If it starts out ok then something must be going wrong with the mechanism that is causing the noise and I just wondered if anyone had nailed down exactly what that was?

[mitya]

On this topic, while I'm tolerating it, I do find some inconsistencies in velocities between notes that are relatively close together. Examples would be the Ab and Bb below middle C; the Bb seems much more responsive and louder at a modest velocity than the Ab. Could just be me/my MODX8...

[jahfume]

So good news is -Third time lucky - I managed to score a new MODX8 for a steal and the action is like buttaa! So far so good.

The issue of the keys getting clackety over time is likely due to lack of lubrication.The Kawai plastic action in the ES3/4 etc had this problem. I had a tech come and dismantle my ES4 (It was under warranty) and when he left the keys were also like buttaa.
The lubricant is some white lithium grease though it may have been more viscous than the stuff bike shops sell - but may be not.

Next week I'm lending my M8 to my local jazz club for a gig with James Pearson on keys. He's Ronnie Scott's house pianist an is an Oscar Peterson adherant so he has a no-holds-barred approach to the piano. Hope my keys hold out!

Will report back any subsequent clacketyness.

[shughes]

Is the noise/action similar to this youtube video?



I currently have a S90XS and considering upgrading to Montage 8. I bought the S90XS due to the action but transporting it to church every week has become more of a chore then 6 years ago when I purchased. I like the weight and position of pitch bend on the MODX8 but just not sure I could get used to the keybed and other corners Yamaha cut. A MODX8 could actually fit in my truck cab and would not have to worry about rainy days. My other thought is go for Montage 7 but with background in piano I think I will miss those extra 12 keys.

[Fleer]

That’s the reason why I turned in my MODX8 when I still could (although the problem hadn’t occurred yet).
Now I’m looking at the (also) new CP73 but that one has a BHS (Balanced Hammer Standard) action, reminding me of the MODX8’s GHS (Graded Hammer Standard) action.