Middle E RH3 Key Stuck? Broken?

[blazerunner]

Hello,

It's me again. This round I have a sad problem

I purchased my 73' new a couple years ago and I baby the thing like it's a Rolls Royce I'm making payments on. While working on a song I noticed the middle E key wouldn't go down without a bit of more force. Almost like it had something sticky on it. I pressed the key up and down but it didn't feel like the weighted resistance was right. It was stiff to press up top and then loss on the bottom. I played the key a few times to see if I could get it to loosen up (thinking maybe some debris fell in it). They key loosened up but now it feels "light" to the touch like something is wrong with the RH3 weighted action.

I know I'll have to open my keyboard to take a look but off hand has anyone encountered this problem? Or have an idea of what might have gone wrong here? This is my keyboard that just stays in my little studio. Never been banged around or dropped or anything and it's well taken care of (literally just looks like I pulled it out the box). I usually keep it covered when I'm not using it. Sometimes I even uncover it when I have women over to impress them and they say "Wow is that a Kronos!?" and I say "Why yes it is madam" J/K.

But seriously what's wrong with my keyboard?

[dimitris]

I think the best keyboards was RH1 + RH2! I never had any problem at all with my Triton Classic & Extreme in the past!!!

[average_male]

Willing to bet it’s the thin metal “spring” that has shifted from its expected position. While putting my replacement keys in, had the same issue you described. Either that or something fell inside your keybed, betting this isn’t the case as you baby it… and cover the keybed when not in use.

[blazerunner]

A spring is that serious to fix?

[average_male]

A spring is that serious to fix?

Not at all, just need to be careful when disassembling. Here is what it looks like, that thin metal item that this dude places next to the key, which is noted in this video;

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5t8XJGu5AWw

That metal spring plate has a notch and can sometimes bind or may have been installed slightly off. Just need to remove and reseat the spring and key.

In that video, notice the tool he is using? That’s to free the spring from the key and chassis, any thin plastic item will do, like a slice of any store used gift card or credit card, inch or so wide should be fine.

[blazerunner]

Well, I thank you very much for that info and link. Now I know where to start looking for the culprit at least . I removed my keybed to install a 2nd SSD a while ago. Maybe I bumped something I shouldn't have thought I was being extra careful. I hope it ends up being a simple fix. Thanks again for the help.

[average_male]

Well, I thank you very much for that info and link. Now I know where to start looking for the culprit at least . I removed my keybed to install a 2nd SSD a while ago. Maybe I bumped something I shouldn't have thought I was being extra careful. I hope it ends up being a simple fix. Thanks again for the help.

Oh, that adds another possible cause. When screwing in the bottom panel after opening my Kronos, there was a case where I pushed the keybed too far up and the top of keys hit against the chassis and that caused the some keys to rub and stick. May want to confirm this isn't the case for you as well. Just look where the black keys meet the metal chassis opening and see if there is enough room for keys to move. If not, just partially unscrewing the screws that hold the keybed in place and readjusting and retightening the screws may all be that is needed.

[KK]

Yep, as previously mentioned, start with the simple stuff. An easy trick is to place your Kronos on your bed or on cushions/pillows to avoid any scratches or damage. Then holding it with one hand so it rests on its rear panel (where the jacks and on/off switch are), loosen only the bigger screws holding the action until they feel loose but avoiding removing them. This way, gravity ensures you keep the few millimeters needed on the front (I call it the bumper) so that all keys are clear of any possible rubbing against it. Then still holding your unit in that position, tighten back all those screws so that they all begin to be a bit tight, then tighten for good the lower ones first (closer to the rear panel) starting with the middle ones then going towards the sides. Then tighten the upper ones (close to the front) in the same way (middle first, then going to the sides). You can now finally rest your Kronos at its normal position and relax your arm and hand who kept your heavy unit that way all that time.