Many years ago, when I was working at a credit union, I took advantage of my employment there to take out a low-interest loan, and bought a really nice keyboard. It's a great instrument, and has given me countless hours of enjoyment. Unfortunately, for the past couple of years, the Middle C key has been too quiet; it hasn't been sensing the strike velocity properly. This is a Bad Thing, given how frequently Middle C is used.

So while I was rearranging my music equipment last night, I decided to see if I could fix it. (Karen's response: Do you really think that's a good idea?) Well, you never know until you try. In my worldview, "no user-serviceable parts inside" isn't so much a warning as it is a challenge.

So I opened it up. Nothing frightening there; a few years ago, I had to clean the contacts on a relay near the line out jacks, to clear up some static. But this was the first time I'd taken the key rack out. No problems there, though I did inadvertently unscrew the keystop shelf as well. The key rack was heavy, since there were (lead?) weights in the end of every key. Okay, now what? First, I tried switching the Middle C key with the top octave's C key, in case the frequent use had worn something down. No change. Alas, it was time to remove the circuit board from the underside and actually look at the switches.

Problem: the circuit board was divided into segments, and the short, stiff ribbon cables joining them had some bizarre sort of connector which (a) didn't have an obvious means of disconnecting them, and (b) looked too fragile to just start manhandling them in hopes of getting them loose.

Fortunately, the Middle C switch was right at the edge of one of the segments, and the ribbon cable was long enough for me to lift the PCB in order to get at the switch (which was a rubber cone, similar to those in some computer keyboards). I cleaned the contacts with some alcohol, screwed the segment back in, and gave it a try. Voilà! It responded to different velocities just like the keys surrounding it.

I put it together almost without incident (one of the ribbon cables leading to the LCD panel got knocked loose, but that was easily remedied), and now I have a perfectly working keyboard again.

Not a trained professional. Kids, try this at home!