PA3x key

FaziCevap · Post by **FaziCevap** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:05 pm

Hello everyone. Is it possible to replace the semi-weighted keys with light-weight keys? If so, has anyone done it? Thank you and kind regards!!

calaf · Post by **calaf** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 8:59 pm

Sounds an awful lot of work.
What would the effect be of taking the touch sensitivity off, would that help?

FaziCevap · Post by **FaziCevap** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:46 pm

The advantage would be to be able to play trills better at faster tempo's for Balkan style music. That's all. I would like the keys to be similar to the Korg TR or Korg PA800.

Elektroman · Post by **Elektroman** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 10:54 pm

Hey Ćevap.
I don't think it would be hard as i've seen a lot of pa800, and pa2x keys replaced or weights taken out of them. I've even owned a pa2x without the weights and it is easier to play trills on balkan stuff, especially kolo's etc... It doesn't give you any finger fatigue either after playing for a while.
I'm sure the pa3x keys work on the same principle, i don't think it would be a big job, but it might degrade the value of your pa3x completely, not to mention void the warranty.
Easier and cheaper option would be to get a 61-key MIDI controller with the keys you like and just take that around maybe?

FaziCevap · Post by **FaziCevap** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:12 pm

You're right Electroman. I'll try to find myself a TR or Triton or something like that. It's better to have warranty on these newer keyboards....you never know with Korg.

The only problem is that I already spent a lot of money on this PA3x. I don't want to sprend a lot on another keyboard.

Thanks everyone for your input!!!

miden · Post by **miden** » Mon Feb 20, 2012 11:17 pm

You will find it is not as simple as that....You must also take into account the "throw" of the keys.

IE, the length of travel from the top to the bottom. The really fast keybeds have a very short throw, whereas the high quality ones like the new Korg are more akin to the length of a piano key throw.

Take it from someone who has refurbished old PA1xpros....you will actually break more keys in trying to remove the weights than the weights removed!!

They are glued in extremely well..Apart from those where in the factory not quite enough glue got injected....but on a normal production key, they stick better than baby poo to a blanket!!

I suggest you contact Paolo Trammanoni from Korg Italy, and obtain the correct keybed number from Fatar (they make all of Korgs keybeds)...

As Fatar USUALLY have all the their 76 note 'beds the same length, and with the same connectors, you would just need to get one of the synth action beds..

But also be aware the physical length of the PA3 keys must also be taken into consideration, they are similar to piano key length, and as the synth actions from Fatar us slightly shorter keys, you would be left with a slight gap on the lower part under the keys, I doubt it would affect function, but it would look pretty poxy!!!!

One VERY strong word of warning...the minute you remove one screw from the casing, you have technically broken your warranty....so alwasy be aware if you stuff it up????

No comeback at all...

Good luck

Elektroman · Post by **Elektroman** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 3:23 am

FaziCevap wrote:You're right Electroman. I'll try to find myself a TR or Triton or something like that. It's better to have warranty on these newer keyboards....you never know with Korg. !

Wise move man. I'd never open up something like that especially when new. As i said even if you get an ordinary MIDI controller k/b, with keys that you like, it would fix your issues. Or as you said, spend more $ and get a triton of some sort.
I use my M3 for a lot of stuff i play, MIDI-ed up with my 3X, just because it's easier to play than on the 3X keys.
Miden has a very good point about the length of the keys on the 3X. Even if you did manage to open it up, you'd find it hard to match the key length with the replacements.

Xx_Joey_xX · Post by **Xx_Joey_xX** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 8:02 am

I have opened a PA3X i can tell you, the keys can be changed !
but it requires a little bit of work,

I can replace the entire keybed, with the keybed form the SL 161 midi controller,

but i can make it happen,

the bad part is that, the holes for the new keybed would require me to drill new holes on the bottom metal plate of the keyboard, I have done this before on different keys, but i will give it some more time maybe i will get used to the PA3X keys which i hate !

Pa2x · Post by **Pa2x** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:06 pm

Hi i have done it on pa2x, and i will do it on pa3x very soon, i play serbian music and have the same problem.

I lowered keys myself on pa2x, i lowered them for 6mm which is alot, however if you want them to be softer you just install different springs, each key key small spring, and just find softer springs and attach it, im sure they would fit from pa800, its all very similar inside.

Also its not hard to do this anyway, you need few hours and it pays off at the end.

Warranty, ah well, wait 12 months then do it.