New SV-1 Keyboard issues

PeterLM · Post by **PeterLM** » Fri May 18, 2012 7:31 pm

Hi, I took delivery of my new SV-1 73 last week and thought I'd post about some keyboard issues had, straight out of the box. A couple of the low-end keys were very noisy with a clicking sound which just didn't seem right (I also have a Casio AP629 Digital Piano with weighted keys for comparison). My local Korg service centre is only an hour's drive away and they offered to check it while I waited as they said that the keys can often be damaged in transit. They found that there were actually four keys with broken guides and the debris was causing the noise. They fixed the problem and off I went - happy with the speedy resolution. That was on Monday. It's now Friday and, I hope it's just my imagination, but another key may be playng up with what sounds like a similar problem. I'm not 100% sure yet so I'll update later. I really like the SV-1 but the keys are nowhere near as robust as those on the Casio piano. I really don't understand why Korg risk ruining a really nice product with what seems to be an inferior set of keys. I don't bash the keys and neither my current or previous Casio have ever had any similar problems. I was very happy with the response and attitude of the UK service centre but disappointed to have to take a brand new product there, and I hope it won't become a regular journey.........

scales · Post by **scales** » Fri May 18, 2012 8:23 pm

I played a new SV-1 73 black version at GC. Two of the keys had that same issue. It's amazing to me that Korg has not found a solution to the problem. If nothing else just use better plastic materials. Use a substance that's stronger and will hold up longer. The design of the keybed is okay. When everything is in order it feels and plays great. The quality of the plastic they are using is sorry.

Dave Ferris · Post by **Dave Ferris** » Sat May 19, 2012 3:20 am

I was very seriously considering the new Black 88. After hearing about the continuing and reoccurring problems, I think I'll pass...

The Black 88 in the store straight out of the box I played was perfectly fine and I played it for a good 45 minutes. However Korg basically has me gun shy towards their keyboards at this point in time.

I don't get it-Yamaha can make a decent keyboard with decent action for under a grand with the P155. Same with Casio...

PeterLM · Post by **PeterLM** » Sat May 19, 2012 1:33 pm

One other thing I forgot to mention. They guy in the service centre told me that with the 2012 matt black SV-1, Korg had changed the manufacturing plant. I don't know if that will lead to an improvement in quality but it might be worth monitoring, if that's possible. I deliberately went for one of the last of the original red/black SV-1s because I think it looks better but I might be kicking myself if it turns out that the black version is more reliable.

scales · Post by **scales** » Sat May 19, 2012 5:44 pm

You wont be kicking yourself. That's exactly what I did. I bought a very early 88 key SV-1. It's so sweet. It had been in a small mom and pop store for 3 years in a small town. The owner has a studio in the back of his store and he used it for recording from time to time. Someone must have really hammered on the lowest octave of the bass section. Several keys were fractured. The unit was a demo so everything has been covered under warranty.

I have a light touch so hopefully no future problems.
I wonder if the new plant is in Japan or China? I'm glad mine was made in Japan and I believe (just a guess) that the early units were under the auspice of good quality control. Just an assumption. Making a good impression with a new product is key to the success of the product. But then again look at the introduction of the Kronos and all of the issues surrounding it.

I knew I was taking a risk buying the SV. But it's such a cool board with an unusual vibe that sparks something in me. Maybe because I cut my teeth on analog synths in the late 70's and all through the 80's. I love the look, the feel, the knobs, the sound. It's so nice to depart from menus for a while.

Although the AP's have been criticized, picked apart, dissected and what not, I really like them. They are a nice change from the Yamaha samples that I have been playing for so many years. So now I have both. I can enjoy the bright and lively Yamaha grands and the much darker but rich Korg samples.

Kontrol49 · Post by **Kontrol49** » Sat May 19, 2012 7:24 pm

PeterLM wrote:One other thing I forgot to mention. They guy in the service centre told me that with the 2012 matt black SV-1, Korg had changed the manufacturing plant. I don't know if that will lead to an improvement in quality but it might be worth monitoring, if that's possible. I deliberately went for one of the last of the original red/black SV-1s because I think it looks better but I might be kicking myself if it turns out that the black version is more reliable.

The colour of the unit will have no effect on whether the RH3 is faulty or not,for all we know Korg may have already made these newer colour case units on the first production Run,(As someone already pointed out the Reverse colour model picture has been in the Editor since release so it doesn't mean that the newer models are a newer production run,they could have been stockpiled by Korg in order to sell at a later date to revamp sales or interest)

They all have the same RH3 keybed,Korg just altered a few components,if korg chose to use a Fully modified keybed version or not to help iron out the issues noone knows for sure(Which have been far and few problematic on the SV),its much like the Kronos fiasco, a few users reported issues and all of a sudden its spread like wildfire and caused a mass panic for no reason so everyone assumes every unit is going to be a dud!!!!!

I have had no problems whatsoever with my SV1-73,I've gigged several times with it in the last 12 months and never had a problem with any clicking or faulty keys its pot luck if you develop problems much like the Kronos having issues,there are a few known faults with some owners but its minor!

If you read some of the threads you'll see that a minority have had issues,which have been overemphasised,Its caused a plethora of reservations from people wanting to buy an otherwise superb instrument,so much so most of the problems have been mentally ingrained to those who read them prior to buying it,you can see people almost looking for faults,certainly with the clicking which in most cases are simply mechanical noise,which you get from most keybeds!,just take a look at the Akai MPK88 videos on you tube and you can see why a frenzy is started for no reason!

I would have no issue or problem with buying another SV-1 irrespective of a few individual keybed issues which have been blown out of proportion!Korg have addressed those that developed faults,and doubt they would carry on making the SV selling them knowing they are faulty!most of the shops may hold older stock which were made prior to the newer RH3 bed fix,I have one of the original models and had no probs

for those who seem scared of buying don't assume that evey unit is going to be faulty,The SV1 is a great keyboard,but these over egged issues is what causes most of the panic in the first place,the internet is a useful place for views and opinions but also spreads pandemonium and fear into the less open minded from virtually nothing!

EinsteinBarbie · Post by **EinsteinBarbie** » Sun May 20, 2012 3:37 pm

if korg chose to use a Fully modified keybed version or not to help iron out the issues noone knows for sure

Which is kinda bad marketing, if you ask me. Why be silent if it is such a minor issue?
Be that as it may, I tried the newer version in the shop to see if it could replace my SV1 with the cutoff note issue, and the one in the shop had the same problem. Which makes me think that a lot of units have this problem. Since it only becomes apparent when playing softly, probably not all users will notice it.
There's no panic, just the facts.