Replacing broken minikorg keys with moog prodigy keys

The keys from Puerto Rico arrived yesterday and I took minikorg from Colin's Echo computers repair shop to fix the broken F key

Like the maxikorg, we need to remove the keybed to fit the new replacement properly in to the slots. Alternatively, I have shave little bits to make it fit without having to remove the keybed..but do this at your own risk, I have ruined brand new keys before when I shaved off too much plastic.

Here are the pictures of the new moog keys and old broken korg keys and steps showong how I replaced the old korg with moog keys.

The moog keys behind the original korg keys with broken J 

The korg F key removed from slot

  

Replacing the moog keys

Report on Repair Works done on Maxikorg by Urban Music

Repair Works by Urban Music Japan

To date, Urban Music and Kaz is the 1st full-time synthesizer/ organ technician I have worked with.

I must say I am impressed by the efficiency and no-nonsense approach of Japanese technicians. The fee, inclusive of shipping is very very affordable and reasonable.

They have listed the cost of repair of damaged components in Maxikorg. The CV buffer FETs have worn-out and damaged causing the single tone and they have added a resistor to stabilize the drifting pitch. They have even added an extra knob for me. I should have removed the homemade faders too.

The term "aging' sounds funny and ironical for a middle-aged synthesizer player. Both the musician and machine are both aging approximately at the same rate (both Maxi and I are 40 yrs of age when the blog is written)...Maxi has gone for her functional test, but her owner hasn't gone for his medical test for a long time :p

Now, I am waiting eagerly for Maxi to return to my arms before testing the repaired sounds again.

Urban Music has packed my beloved DV800 nicely before shipping out to SG again.

Now starts the waiting game.

MAXIKORG lands in SG!

4days later, I received maxikorg and these were the transistors that were spoilt.

Maxi korg lands in tokyo for repairs

Maxi Korg arrives in Japan, Setagaya-ku, Daita.

I took a BIG risk and sent Maxi korg to the nearest certified synthesizer/ organ technician in Japan, Tokyo. Daita. Its a one-man-show called Urban Music that services Hammond Organs.

Kaz Kawanse sent the pictures of Maxi as she landed and highlighted the conditions/ damages that were initially there with white tape.

Changing broken G key in maxikorg

I brought back my maxikorg from Randolf while he is away on tour.

I managed to change the broken G key using moog prodigy keys bought from Costa Rica via ebay.

They fit like glove. You will patience and much care to slowly shave and file the J hook to size to fit into the maxikorg slots.

Otherwise the size is identical to maxikorg orginal keys.

Here is the maxikorg with the Moog keys and closeup of the original broken key (glued using an ice-cream stick)...This Maxikorg is really a bad buy...for USD 2000, its really trashy.

OEM Korg IC chips? Possible? Yes for MiniKorgs, NO for Maxikorgs 

The facebook page korg maxikorg DV800 has a link to buy OEM reversed engineered chips at very  reasonable prices from EU. These chips were reversed engineered based on the original ones. Looks like I may have to order them soon for this maxikorg

After note: The seller of the chip is a nice chap by the name of Toni 

http://www.wutierson.com/en/home/parts

His blog is http://www.matrixsynth.com/2013/03/the-string-machine-project.html.

He has advised that he has to date only developed chips for Minikorgs 700/700s and traveller chips for Mini and MaxiKorgs.

His chip for Oscillator for DV800 Maxikorg is pending testing because he has no MaxiKorg to test out and will only be out in 2015/2016...

I have also taken the chance to take photos of the original korg chips VCO and traveller chips

Brief maintenance of Minikorg 700s

TheI ordered a brand of synthesizer fader/ potentiometer grease.

It was kinda of waste of money. It didn't seem to make the sound better but it seems worse off...softer and weaker portemolo.

Here are the innards of my minikorg 700s.

This is a picture of the offending/vibrating oscillator panel...nope the grease didn't make it better...I was recommended to use electrical spray to clean it up...no sir, I am not going I risk it...not on my only korg left (DV800 is almost gone to Synth heaven)

The birth certificate of the 700s 

It could a case of leaking chemical spray or water? The seal and date of manufacturer and testing are all blurred out...so there is no way I determine the manufacturer late.

Everything falls to bits

DV800 Kaput!!

14 sept 2014..it is a bad evening.

I was playing the maxikorg to Kitaro's 'Koi', everything came to bits at the chrous.

The drifty pitched upper deck VCO gave way and stopped sounding. My worse fears came true...it stopped responding only to the keys and became a 1 note drone. I have spent so much time and money to only to finally come to terms I have secured a very bad deal..

I paid so much for a faulty maxikorg...

It's really bad, all is coming to bits.

Cosmetically restored Maxikorg DV800

Here are the photos of the cosmetically restored DV800.

Paint job by my dear father, I did a relatively less than ideal patch job that resulted in less than ideal finishing for the side panels.

Depending on my remaining budget, I may get a carpenter to refabricate a new set of side panels.

That's all for now, I will update again after checking the synth with the technician next week.