cat damage to M3 - need advice

[thedad]

Posted this on the Karma Korg forum but thought there might be some additional comments that might help.

Last night one of our stupid cats managed to get into the room with my M3 and proceeded to urinate on the lower end of the keys. Needless to say, while the module works fine, anything with the keys is screwed up.

There was a puddle of urine on one of the lower keys (73 key M3) and when I tilted the M3 up, pointing the keys downward, a small amount of urine ran out from under some of the lower keys.

Not going to try to get into the keys as I don't have any service diagrams and don't want to make things worse. Any suggestions would be appreciated, although I'm expecting to have to make a trip to a service center. Will be running a dehumidifier all night tonight and during the day tomorrow. Really don't expect that to eliminate the damage.

Any advice, beyond what will happen to the cat once I get my fingers on it, would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Maximus]

You should Pee on the cat, just to let him know you're boss


but seriusly i if you are electronically inclined take the keybed apart including the troubled keys, and clean it up well with contact cleaner, althou i think that the base (pressed wood) will probably still stink of cat urin so making a new one is not totally out of the question, then again that is probably the heaviest single part on that keyboard, so you cold end up with a lighter keyboard.
if not, to the service guy.

and then pee on the cat again after you get the bill.

[thedad]

I fear trying to take the keys apart, afraid I might screw something up and add to the cost. Probably contact a service center and see if they can give me some idea of cost.

The cat has seen the inside of my house for the last time in it's stupid life!

[thedad]

After running the dehumidifier all night Wednesday, turned it on and everything work find with the exception of the lower 13 keys - the location of the stupid cat's bathroom. Absolutely no sound whatsoever from those 13 keys.

Taking it to a service center on Saturday for complete repairs. Stupid cat!

[shrike]

I can teach your cat a lesson. The one she/he will never forget.

For free.

[thedad]

Will take the keyboard to a service center Saturday. Problem is a contact board that has shorted out. Total cost is around $100 and hopefully will have it back in around two weeks.

Not as bad as I had thought, but I will miss not being to do anything until I get it back. Also, apparantly not an unusual problem when you consider how often people spill drinks or food on their keyboard.

So everyone stays back 5 feet from my keyboard, and if you have fur and a tail......................

[Rob Sherratt]

So, next time you are performing in front of an audience, you can delight them with a festival of sight and sound and ... smell ?

[Mike Bunker]

For the next time... Get a piece of oil cloth (can you still get that at fabric stores?) and cut it to fit over your keyboard. To be just a bit more elegant, cut it so that a flap reaches over the front, back and the ends. Leave a little slop when you cut. Then you can sew the corners together and you will have a waterproof, form-fitted cover. Somewhat feline-proof.

[mrkorg]

This highlights the importance of why pets should not be allowed inside the house.

[bigdaddyscondition]

My cats are generally very well behaved, but stuff happens. Does anyone know where I can get some rigid keyboard cover for my M388 that the cats can nap, walk, throw up on, etc. with no effect on the instrument? I'd like something rigid to keep them from stomping on the keys and pads, as well as protecting the keyboard and module from feline liquid waste emissions.

[mrkorg]

You can't control the way an animal functions. It is best to keep it away from your valuable items at all times, because the cat or whatever animal has no value for the keyboard.

Does anyone know where I can get some rigid keyboard cover for my M388 that the cats can nap, walk, throw up on, etc. with no effect on the instrument?

Do you consider doing the same as well

[GregC]

My cats are generally very well behaved, but stuff happens. Does anyone know where I can get some rigid keyboard cover for my M388 that the cats can nap, walk, throw up on, etc. with no effect on the instrument? I'd like something rigid to keep them from stomping on the keys and pads, as well as protecting the keyboard and module from feline liquid waste emissions.

you can find clear plastic covers for yamaha keyboards at some music stores

When I am away from the house for a few days, I toss on a towel , as well

*fingers crossed *, I have 2 cats. They are spoiled and have at least 3 comfy sleeping places

[Rob Sherratt]

Our Dad had an accident
A bit of a "cat"-astrophe,
His once shiny keyboard
Now stinks of feline wee.

The circuits are corroded,
The keys have to be replaced.
And now the cat's not grinning,
It's about to be displaced.

It's not very funny
When your cat's been quite disgraceful
But from everyone on Korg Forums
We hope the keyboard is replaceable

And Korg are quite apologetic
When it comes to the guarantee
Oh no, sir, that's most unfortunate
It's not covered for cat's wee.

The moral of this "tail"
(that's deliberate of course)
is that if you wee on Dad's keyboard
You'll have to sleep outdoors.

[bigdaddyscondition]

Thanks for the responses, including Rob's poem and Greg's perspective as a cat owner. I am going to look into a workstation stand that will allow me to block the cats' access to the keyboard and studio monitors.

[Rockitman]

Larry Lecover in the Chicago area sells keyboard/amp covers. Just Google his name. They also make covers that are padded which might supply the rigid cover you are looking for. His Prices are reasonable and the covers are waterproof. You can also call Larry directly and discuss this with him. He is very nice about making custom covers for folks. I have covers from him for my Korg CX-3, and I had bought one for a Korg Triton Studio 73 which I sold the keyboard, but that cover covers my M3-73 now. The covers feature a rear flap so you can keep connectors plugged in.