Korg Forums

DJCobbSalad · Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 27 Location: Los Angeles

So I'm about to return my third (!!!) Kronos 61 in less than 2 weeks due to manufacturer defect. Is this normal? I need a keyboard that actually works for gigs, I was pretty stoked about the Kronos sounds but starting to feel like this was the wrong product choice.

The purchase history:

#1: Kronos 2 61 (Korg Refubished): Arrived DOA (System Startup Failed)
#2: Kronos 2 61 (New): Joystick issue (Caused pitches to change randomly)
#3: Kronos 2 61 SE (New) - 3 System Startup Failed messages in first 2 days, 2 last night during the first rehearsal with the keyboard.

So... is it time to look at a different brand of keyboard? What the hell is going on?

KK · Platinum Member Joined: 13 Oct 2016 Posts: 1422

I can't speak for the 61 models but my Kronos 2 88 works flawlessly since day one. Are you sure the "new" ones you were given to replace the first refurbished were indeed new ? Do they all come from the same store ?

DJCobbSalad · Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 27 Location: Los Angeles

The refurbished one came from a different store. The 2 new ones both came from the same place. The most recent one is a SE which the brand "new" model that just started shipping this week, and now already appears to be out of stock again so I don't know if I'll be able to get a replacement anytime soon.

GregC · Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2019 5:10 pm Post subject:

are you 100% sure you have steady power, and not using a flakey outlet that is swamped by amps, PA's etc ? Most gigging keyboardists have a UPS for their Kronos.

the defective refurb is not a surprise.

The other 2 are a negative trend.

To be clear, its not exclusively build quality. To me, its a bad component, possibly in the assembly process. If this is a case, we will hear about more defectives.

I am sorry your SE bombed, that's a bummer.

Are these sweet water purchases ? They sell volume every month and must know what the defective return rate is every month.

Typically a salesperson is not going to discuss this or have an answer. You might have to go to manager at SW who is aware of the bigger picture. Thats the best source.
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Sam CA · Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2019 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: Kronos Build Quality?

DJCobbSalad · Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 27 Location: Los Angeles

In my studio it's on a UPS, everything in there is. I'm not sure about the rehearsal space last night, but unlikely. It's had the system startup failure in both locations.

I've been using it a little bit today at the studio (on the UPS) in short sessions, then turning it off and coming back a little while later to reboot. So far it's given me the error 1 out of the 5 times (the 4th one). Under normal circumstances I wouldn't go off/on that many times in a day but I'm just trying to see if it's reproducible with any consistency. They're from Zzounds, I have had bad experiences with Sweetwater so I don't do business with them anymore.

GregC · Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2019 6:32 pm Post subject:

DJCobbSalad · Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 27 Location: Los Angeles

KK · Platinum Member Joined: 13 Oct 2016 Posts: 1422

Before concluding too quickly, I wouldn't rule out damage during transport. Certain major companies (which I shall not name here, but they are often chosen by bigger stores) just don't know how to handle fragile stuff, which includes musical instruments. You can flat drop a big box way too harshly without damaging its external cardboard but its contents is likely to end up damaged or non-functional.

GregC · Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2019 8:05 pm Post subject:

DJCobbSalad · Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 27 Location: Los Angeles

Very good point. I was going to point out to ZZounds when I talk to them tomorrow that the 2 endcap styrofoam pieces were both broken in the SE box on the same side (what would be the back of the Kronos when inside the box). You couldn’t tell from outside the box at all, but when I unpacked it those pieces were broken. I may have to tape them together in order to be able to ship the unit back.

Mike Conway · Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2019 8:56 pm Post subject:

KK · Platinum Member Joined: 13 Oct 2016 Posts: 1422

Mike Conway · Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2019 9:03 pm Post subject:

timbukktwo · Senior Member Joined: 09 Dec 2007 Posts: 287

The ram being unseated is a likely culprit, even hopefully so in comparison to anything more serious. A number of people in the past had reported this, and will definitely cause a system startup failure, for sure. If it were the ram, too bad having to send it in for service for such a diy project that would void the warranty, even though there would be no downtime. It would be hard to believe multiple units leaving the factory new would have your issue, though possible for some reason. Nonetheless, sorry to hear of your troubles and good luck to you.