RH3 Keybed clearance question

[DeltaJockey]

I know there's been a lot of talk about the fine tolerance of the RH3 keybed toward the front metal bar, and the keybed for/aft adjustment, not a problem for me, but I have a specific question about the black felt which runs along the back of the keys.

I had cause to adjust my keybed for another reason, and not noticing this beforehand, when finished, I found the black felt to be slightly scalloped by the black keys tight against it, after having the clearance at the front to be what I was happy with. I have about 1.5 mm gap, so as to make sure I never have a key scrape the front bar. I think the screws in the base are hard up against the front edge of the screw holes anyway, as I don't seem to be able to move it any further forward.
Has anyone else, in making sure they have a reasonable front gap had this happen to their black felt? Do I have too much gap now? It seems a pretty tight tolerance to keep both back and front just right. You don't notice the scalloping from above, only from the playing angle. It's one of those things that you never notice beforehand, and then scratch your head trying to recall if it was like that before you touched it!
I know its only a minor cosmetic, but it's in my face when I'm playing.
Probably not worth tampering further with though.

Does anyone else have an uneven felt?

[DeltaJockey]

Just to add...
I did use the cardboard spacers as shims whilst I tightened the screws.

[MarPabl]

Yes, sometimes I had the issue when adjusting the keybed. I also reduced the distance so the black felt would seem fine.

It's a shame this issue is still present even on the Kronos 2 (I've just read two threads regarding the keys making weird sounds)

Luckily for you, your issue is just cosmetic but make sure to check how are you adjusting the whole keybed, because if you don't, you may end up with some keys being harder to depress, so the keybed becomes unplayable.

I really don't understand how is that Korg, after 3 generations of the Kronos, still can't deliver a reliable keybed. So I see the Kronos is still being shipped with those cardboards and you can't lose them because you have to put them if you move the keyboard.

While I had mine, which never used to gig, I had to readjust the keybed some times. But if I just moved the Kronos, then the keybed needed to be adjusted to eliminate the noisy keys.

This never happened with my M3, my PC3K8, my Motif XF or any other keybed I can recall. So disappointing...

[Jer76]

if i recalled i don't think my Kronos 2 73 came with those cardboard shims.

[Pedja]

I didn't get cardboard shims for my Kronos X 73 too?

[Hal2001]

I didn't get cardboard shims for my Kronos X 73 too?

No problem, you can make your own cardboard shims out of any cardboard strips. The factory cardboard strip dimensions on mine were:

2 3/8" X 5 1/8" X 1/16" (it can be a micron less than 1/16th inch thick, all it needs to do is clear the keys).

My original Kronos came with 3 of these spacers. I used them again when I disassembled my Kronos and put it back together successfully as can be viewed in my tutorial video:

https://youtu.be/0DXvf4AwrtI

Hal

[DeltaJockey]

Thanks for all your input guys, despite the reported keyboard issues, I still feel that it is a quality keyboard. I've found when comparing it to Roland weighted keys I've had, the Kronos is quite slim and streamlined, so I guess the trade-off is tight tolerances. I know many weighted keybeds sit up quite high in very deep boxy enclosures, so I like the Kronos design.
Interestingly, I thought the cardboard spacers were just for transportation, but I've come to the conclusion that they need to be inserted when just picking the keyboard up and moving it, because the front metal panel has some flex in it if you rest it against yourself hauling it even a short distance. I put the spacers in when picking the keyboard up just as a precaution. Not sure whether my eyes are playing tricks, but the bar looks a little curved in as it is.
Yes Pedja, the spacers are just bits of plain cardboard, I guess you could even make some out of a cereal packet box!
Hal, I remember seeing your video about disassembly when you had the joystick problem. Very well presented!