Can I swap the control box of a Disklavier instead of repair?

Kevin Busse Nov 28, 2024
5 People Read
Circuit Board

Hello Kevin,

I live in Sri Lanka and the Yamaha Service Center says that in order to repair my Disklavier E3 piano they need to replace the following parts:

  • CIRCUIT BOARD ENT-KD1 DKV GP E3

  • CIRCUIT BOARD ENT-KD2 DKV GP E3

  • CIRCUIT BOARD ENT-KD3 DKV GP E3

  • CIRCUIT BOARD ENT-KD4 DKV GP E3

  • CIRCUIT BOARD KS2 DKV GP E3

  • CIRCUIT BOARD PDG DKV GP E3

  • KEY SENSOR UNIT (OPTIONAL )

  • GRAY SCALE GP (OPTIONAL )

How can I obtain these parts, or am I better off purchasing a replacement box?

I appreciate ANY advice, please.

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Hello Louise,

I saw that you will have to buy many parts for your piano.

Unfortunately, you’ll need those parts whether you get an upgrade or not.

-Kevin

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Hello Kevin,


Thank you for replying. I really appreciate it.

I’m wondering if it’s better to purchase a complete new control box rather than having a technician replace the components one-by-one.

I am relocating to Sri Lanka and unfortunately, the Piano was shipped over a couple of years ago. Though the piano has been kept in tune, the storage location was near the sea and now the problem is that some of the circuit boards have corroded, causing the malfunction.


There are only two Disklaviers in Sri Lanka so the technicians here have not had experience with this equipment, though they are doing their best.

Is it even possible to buy a replacement box? If so, where and how could I purchase this? Any idea about how much it will cost? Perhaps, it may be cost effective to go that route perhaps?

Look forward to any advice please. Many thanks.


Best regards,
Louise

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Hi Louise,

I advise that you may be better off purchasing a new Disklavier rather than going through the trouble of replacing all of those parts, especially if the electronic components of your Disklavier may be corroded. (Since you described there was corrosion).

Would you like assistance finding a new Disklavier from an Authorized Yamaha piano dealer?

-Kevin

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Hello Kevin, 

I couldn’t read your recent message. Earlier you wrote that I would need those parts for an upgrade.

However, I’m not actually interested in an upgrade, I just want the electronic parts to function - the piano itself is ok. 

Is it possible to get a new control box or even a control box from the after-market? 

Kind regards, 

Louise

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It’s possible to get a replacement box in the after-market. Though, you would need those other parts recommended by Yamaha for the system to function at all.

-Kevin

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Are the components recommended by Yamaha not the components that make up the control box? 

-Louise

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Correct, they are not.


Those components are outside of the control box you are referring to that could easily be swapped out. The parts mentioned aren't as easily replaceable, requiring a knowledgable technician.

-Kevin

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Are they the components that make up the secondary box - not the one that has the CD slot in it?

My problem is I am currently living in Saudi Arabia (where i originally purchased the piano). I will eventually be living in Sri Lanka where the piano is now located.

Unfortunately, as it has suffered from being housed near the coast causing the corrosion issue.

There is only one other piano like mine in the country so the technicians are not familiar with repairing the electronic components.

So I’m wondering if I can get a complete replacement that they can just attach instead of trying to replace individual components until it functions.

Is there any point trying to get this from the Yamaha manufacturers in Japan or elsewhere?

-Louise

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Hi Louise, thanks for your questions.

The answer is no. You may not replace your control box alone in order to get the piano to work properly.

There's good reason to take Yamaha's recommendations. However, troubleshooting can be costly and there are no guarantees that it will work after the circuit boards are replaced.

Please keep in mind this risk when considering to replace the circuit boards recommended by Yamaha.

The KD boards you need are located underneath the rear of the keys themselves, which is not part of the primary nor secondary box (Auxillary or power supply) you are referring to.

-Kevin

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Thank you Kevin for your replies.

I’ll just have to go with what they can manage and hope they can get it to work but it isn’t sounding hopeful. 

Appreciate your feedback anyway. 

Best regards,

Louise