Intermittent Key on Yamaha 415 (D85)

[afuller5]

Hi all,

One the Yamaha 415s that I play regularly has developed a note (D above middle C) that plays intermittently. It is worse when the organ is just turned on. As it is on longer or played more (I can't tell which), the note gets less intermittent but is still somewhat intermittent. Any ideas on what is causing this? Is it something that I (a non-electronics person) may be able fix? Maybe the key contact?

Thanks in advance.

Allen

P.S. I do know how to open the organ and flip the keyboards up.

[andyg]

If it's just that one note on one manual, then the key contact(s) will almost certainly be the culprit. I'm sure that the D-85 is from the era of old style key contacts, so it's possible that D has simply bent out of place. So open up and examine the contacts for the C D and E. If the D looks different, then adjust until they all look the same! If they already look the same, then clean the contact.

[tucsondave]

Andy is correct, it will be a contact. If the key contact area has a white plastic cover then it may have vinyl buss rods. If so, Use denatured alcohol to clean them. Do not spray with contact cleaner.
The key scan is 4 octaves x 12 notes plus one x one for the low C.
td

[afuller5]

tucsondave,

In the past I have cleaned out debris under the black and white vinyl buss strips. In fact, I cleaned under the Db on the solo manual about 3 years ago. So, I opened the organ to clean under the D on the upper (swell) manual. However, the contacts on this manual are a flat, pointed metal strip touching a buss bar. (I did not think to take pictures before putting it back together.) The D key contact did not look visible different or have different mechanics from the others. How should I clean this type of contact?

Thanks in advance.

Allen

[tucsondave]

Both the metal and vinyl buss bar types used metal leaf contacts. If the buss bars are black vinyl use alcohol or Deoxit Fader Lube F5. If the buss bars metal use Deoxit F5 (red can) or other contact cleaner.
td

[afuller5]

tuscondave,

Thanks!

Allen

[afuller5]

tuscondave,

I finally had a chance today to open up the Yamaha 415. The buss bar is vinyl. I cleaned it with a little alcohol. The note is working fine now.

Thanks again for your help.

Allen