Korg Kronos 61 build quality.

Xx_Joey_xX · Post by **Xx_Joey_xX** » Sat Apr 25, 2015 6:50 am

Hello

I know this subject was touched up on before, but I had
The Korg Kronos 61 sitting on stand at a studio for about 2 years, no gigs! I just noticed last night the bottom lip (under the keys) on the right hand side. the bottom lip is coming off ,right at the joint!. This thing feels like a cheap made in China Synth. very disappointed.

I mean I understand the Synth and sounds are great, but how about putting the thing in a solid frame with a decent shell.

I noticed they made some revisions with the Kronos II, I wonder if the build quality is better?

7keys · Post by **7keys** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 8:43 pm

Please If its possible can you kindly upload the picture for all to see because this will help buyers who are deciding weather or not to get the kronos thanks.

dfahrner · Post by **dfahrner** » Sun Apr 26, 2015 10:51 pm

Xx_Joey_xX wrote:I know this subject was touched up on before...

I don't remember any discussion of K61 frame / shell construction on these forums...

Xx_Joey_xX wrote:This thing feels like a cheap made in China Synth. very disappointed.

It doesn't feel like a cheap synth to me, it feels like a very high-quality instrument...although it is made in China...

Xx_Joey_xX wrote:...how about putting the thing in a solid frame with a decent shell...

I think the frame / shell is at least as solid as other top-of-the-line synths from the other manufacturers...now by all accounts the Oasys had a spectacularly well-made and heavy-duty frame / shell, but it only cost about four times as much...

Xx_Joey_xX wrote:I noticed they made some revisions with the Kronos II, I wonder if the build quality is better?

I'd be surprised if there is any difference in the frame / shell design...

7keys wrote:Please If its possible can you kindly upload the picture for all to see because this will help buyers who are deciding weather or not to get the kronos thanks.

Sure, post it, but if I was thinking about buying a KRONOS, I wouldn't let one picture from some unknown source have much to do with my decision...

df

Correction: all three of my KRONOS were made in Japan, too; I assumed that, like just about every other musical instrument, they were assembled in China...Chinese instruments aren't necessarily bad, anyway: a bass player I work with was looking to buy a top-of-the-line stand-up bass, figuring to spend about $30,000 for a European one, and found you could get an Chinese bass for about $5000 that sounded just as good, looked as good, and was just as well constructed...

spaceman3 · Post by **spaceman3** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 12:29 am

My KRONOS feels very solid.
Mine was made in japan.

GregC · Post by **GregC** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:14 am

Xx_Joey_xX wrote:Hello

I know this subject was touched up on before, but I had
The Korg Kronos 61 sitting on stand at a studio for about 2 years, no gigs! I just noticed last night the bottom lip (under the keys) on the right hand side. the bottom lip is coming off ,right at the joint!. This thing feels like a cheap made in China Synth. very disappointed.

If this happened to me, under those exact circumstances, I would call the best Korg service center and talk to them. Put the problem on them and request a free fix.

Bertotti · Post by **Bertotti** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:19 am

I would guess you had some loose screws and with the playing they worked loose more. Just tighten them. Mine in that area were loose and I tightened them and they are fine now , no biggie.

jg:: · Post by **jg::** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 11:12 am

Yes, I suspect it's nothing major. My K61 has been gigged many times over the past 3 years - no sign of any damage anywhere.

jg::

btw, I'm rather sure that if it says: "Made in Japan", that means that it must be assembled in Japan.

Rigel · Post by **Rigel** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 11:47 am

I've had two Kronos' in the last three years. The first one was a K61 that had no problems. I sold it to finance a V-synth GT. Then I missed the Kronos again and bought a K73X. It has perfect build quality as well. I never ran into problems with either of them.

BruceG · Post by **BruceG** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 1:58 pm

I noticed some vibration noise on mine when hitting the keys using at home at low volume and it turned out to be the strip at the front that runs along under the keys. On closer inspection I noticed this strip is very flexible being made of what feels like cheap plastic and this was vibrating against the supports at each end. I tried tightening the screws underneath but they were already tight and in the end wedged a small piece of cardboard between the plastic and the framework above at each end which cured it. So generally I would say the construction on the whole is very good but this bit of plastic at the front lets it down.

BillW · Post by **BillW** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 2:55 pm

Having owned a lot of Roland and Yamaha gear (and a few older Korgs), the Kronos is definitely more fragile. I've owned 5 of them and have never had one fail, but the way they're assembled is somewhat perplexing. If you remove the bottom cover, most of the keyboard assembly comes apart. That is ridiculous. There's a motherboard in there that will need to have its battery replaced one day....suddenly that's a $100 trip to the repair shop where the board will sit for 2-4 weeks waiting for a technician.

Xx_Joey_xX · Post by **Xx_Joey_xX** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 3:08 am

If i press on the lip, the separation becomes visible, i don't press on it, i simply don't want a gap between the two parts.

BSV73 · Post by **BSV73** » Tue Apr 28, 2015 10:03 am

Xx_Joey_xX wrote:If i press on the lip, the separation becomes visible, i don't press on it, i simply don't want a gap between the two parts.

Yep, my original K61 had the same problem, you can lift the two parts open and see the glue.

I sold it and upgraded it to the K73, which feels more solid (probably due to the particle board base and overall weight) and doesn't have the same issue.

I did have an issue with some of the keys making a clunking sound so I opened the Kronos up and physically shifted the keybed slightly and haven't had any issues since.

The sliders have also left a slight marking on the casing, it is like the slider caps need to be .5mm higher or something. Not sure if this is because I opened the case up or not.

Honestly, the build quality doesn't feel like it is on the same level as the electro 2 or original RD700 that i've had in the past.

The glossy plastic end caps and plastic panel where the joystick is is what I think makes the original Kronos appear and feel a bit cheapish at times.

I hope they have improved on these issues with the Kronos 2.

However saying all that I've gigged a lot with my K73 over the past couple years and never had any issues.

Bertotti · Post by **Bertotti** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 2:26 am

When I pulled the bottom off of mine that piece under the keys was not glues in. I took the bottom off found the end checks loose a bit so I aligned them and tightened everything up even the plastic joystick cover stopped its rattle and there are no gaps.

Xx_Joey_xX · Post by **Xx_Joey_xX** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 3:30 am

If you're paying $3000 for a board, you should not have to worry about build quality.

I guess it's not just me there are others who have plenty of other people who have the same issues.

Broadwave · Post by **Broadwave** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 6:24 am

I had a similar problem when I bought mine 4 years ago, I tried all sorts of fancy things to fix it - I ended up just pushing it into the plastic end cap a fraction more - it's still solid.

There definitely wasn't any glue anywhere - did you buy yours new or second hand (sounds like a previous owner may have *tried* to fix it)

Korg Forums

Korg Kronos 61 build quality.

Korg Kronos 61 build quality.

Re: Korg Kronos 61 build quality.

Re: Korg Kronos 61 build quality.