Roland JW 50 keyboard note problem

[rossi]

I have two ancient Roland JW50 keyboards, (1996 ish).

One has now developed an irritating habit of the "D" note below middle "C" playing much louder than the rest. I suspect the fault could go either way, eg, maybe any note having the fault.
I know the machine is old, but it does everything I require,(apart from making toast)! Is it fixable or has time claimed another victim?

Might have to resort to Ebay for another one. Problem is getting it over here,(Canary Islands).

PS. Anything too technical will go over my old brain.

Cheers,
Rossi

[lucky1950]

Hi Rossi !
Do You have near You some Roland service ?
They can repaired in one day , not try repairing by self , because it need to exchange some details , You didn't have it .
Regards - Lucky

[larryc]

Hi Rossi,
I too had this problem, A good friend of mine who repairs keyboards, informed me that its only a speck of dirt, or even a hair under the contact, In a touch sensitive keyboard there are two contact points one soft another louder, the dirt prevents the first contact being made, therefore the note sounds louder,
If you feel confident opening the keyboard its not a very technical job, Just lift the key and clean the contact,

Hope this is some help,
Larry

[ironbaden]

I used to love that keyboard...its wher i learned all about midi ;D

[midimart]

Brings back good old memories for me too.... I had the same problem, again just dirt.... You'll be surprised what gets under the keys, have you ever taken your qwety keyboard apart...

I found 3 paper confetti, a pin and two paperclips.... Wouldn't like to say what else was under there.

Wonder I didn't blow myself up....

[rossi]

Thanks for the replys,
Dirt does seem to be the obvious problem...I work out of doors with the keyboard almost every night of the year. (Canary Isles). We do have a technician of sorts over here and I'll get it to him. Don't fancy dabbling myself....I know when I try to assemble it again I'll have one piece left over!!!
I'm just pleased that it may be something simple. The JW 50 has been a wonderful model for me. My first instrument is guitar and I used to use the Keyboard as a workstation in my mini built spare room/studio, then using it to gigs.
At night here we can end up with the keyboard covered in light dust fron some of the sandstorms we get from the Sahara across in Africa and also problems with condensation some evenings....Guess you can say it's took a battering over the years.
Thanks once again people,
Cheers,
Rossi

[Tone_Deff (Musicmaker)]

I can only echo what has been said above, but have never used Roland. I have the same probs regularly with my Yamaha keyboards, in spite of them being covered with a dust cover when not being used! In my case it is Dog Hairs and gay ash! I have 3 German Shepherds in the house, and who shed their entire coat twice a year! The finer hairs get into everything, including computers, keyboards, and even our food! gay ash, because I am a chain smoker, and with one in my mouth, ash occasionally floats on to, or in between the keys!

Due to this, although, I am in need of a 'Dummies Guide to using a screwdriver', I can now open up and clean most items in this house, from Toasters and Microwaves to keyboards!

Kind regards,

Tony

[gibbo]

Hey Rossi,
Just a quick fix that may work for you, but please use in moderation; take the Roland to the nearest garage or workshop and use the compressed air to blow high-pressure air through and under the keys, it usually works a treat and you'll be amazed at all the stuff that flies out!!!
I had to pull my JV30 apart a few times to clean it until I discovered this trick.
Cheers, Dave.

[rossi]

Dave,
Thought about your advice but it put the wind up me!!!!Oh dear,that's a bad one. Anyway, I sussed out this Italian repair man on the Island and low and behold, he fixed it for the next day. Cost eighty Eueros though, but it's all functioning alright again.
Thanks to everyone for the help and response.
Cheers,
Rossi

[gibbo]

Good one, mate! lol
Glad to hear you got it sorted, maybe next time you can just try the old blow-me-down technique.
You may have already answered this but, just out of curiosity, where in the CI's are you?
All the best, Dave.

[rossi]

Hi Dave,
Based in La Tejita, Tenerife and work the golf course complexs. I Stay clear of the main resorts now...Las Americas/Los Christianos...got too old. (Me, not the resorts!)
Cheers,
Rossi

[gibbo]

Thanks Rossi,
I just checked it out on the satellite map and t looks like a VERY interesting place to live!
I hear you about steering clear of the main Resorts. I'm still doing a fair bit of the full-on gig thing with lots of kids in the 18-25 year-old bracket; still pretending to be "hip" when I'm actually getting closer to "hip-replacement"... lol
All the best, mate, Dave.