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Viewing 1 to (13 Total) GA3 Problem |
United States
Total Posts: 74
Joined: March 19, 2015
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So, I've had my GA3 for two weeks now. When I got it, I notice the SECOND "B" key from the end, was playing louder than the rest of all the keys, top or bottom.
It was annoying and I read the manual and found how to reset the organ to original settings.
Seemed to do the trick....so I thought.
I've recently discovered all the fun downloads on the site here for rhythms and such. Have all downloaded I have an interest. I put a couple discs in. No problem.
Today, I had downloaded from the stylediscwarehouse, some of the free downloads. ALL GREAT with the voices, rhythms and all. One problem. Guess what has reared it ugly head again? You guessed it! The same "B" key is acting up. So, I put in a disc with just the CMP rhythm styles. Back to normal. I "reset" the organ again, repeated same steps, the "B" key still plays louder.
ANY..ideas what is causing this? I've NOT..attempted to take the back of the organ off. My Thomas organ, that one, I've had the back off. The top open and I KNOW what that looks like and what's where. Technics..I'm clueless and afraid to take anything off.
Any suggestions?
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Posted on January 15, 2016 at 7:48 PM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: GA3 Problem
This is almost certainly a defective contact. I haven't had any success in cleaning contacts but there are some Youtube videos describing the cleaning of rubber contacts on other keyboards. As I say, it has never worked for me.
You can establish whether it is the contact or not by turning off touch sensitivity. If you do that, all of your keys will ring out with the same volume no matter how hard or soft you play. When you tunr on the touch sensitivity, the problem with the loud key will come back.
The only good news here is that organs (ie organ sounds such as Hammond or Theatre) are not originally touch sensitive and they tend to 'sound wrong' if you use touch sensitivity. Touch sensitivity is, however, appropriate for piano sounds and orchestral sounds etc. But I get the feeling you're an organ sound fan.
The only way to fix it is by replacing the contact. And of course you'll have to source one in order to do that. The contact will actually be a strip of contacts for the entire octave. The GA3 Service Manual is in the Members Area.
I have written some more info about this on my Technics KN901 page.
From your description I can't tell which B key of which manual is a problem. You might be able to live with it.
if you can't, then what I would do is swap the top strip of contacts from the lower manual with your problem octave. You probably rarely use the top keys of your lower manual so you will then rarely encounter the issue.
Posted on January 15, 2016 at 10:06 PM
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United States
Total Posts: 74
Joined: March 19, 2015
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Re: GA3 Problem
Hey Mike-
BRILLIANT suggestion about swapping!!  THANK YOU.
I'll have to try the sensitivity setting too. See if it's turned off It's just...odd..it only happens when I place a floppy disc in and load.
A wee bit afraid of taking things apart but, I'll give it a go!
Appreciate the help.
(side note) that cords should be in late in the month from Amazon)
Dennis
Posted on January 15, 2016 at 10:43 PM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: GA3 Problem
Hi Dennis,
Probably loading a floppy disk is turning your touch sensitivity on, or increasing it, due to the settings on the disk. Just a guess.
Mike
Posted on January 15, 2016 at 10:54 PM
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United States
Total Posts: 74
Joined: March 19, 2015
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Re: GA3 Problem
You Sir...would be correct
In saying that, turning it OFF..did "fix" the issue. My follow up is this....is this then, still a rubber pad issue you think?
Posted on January 15, 2016 at 11:14 PM
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United States
Total Posts: 74
Joined: March 19, 2015
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Re: GA3 Problem
Oh..and luckily, the last owner did have the manuals. I lucked out there
Posted on January 15, 2016 at 11:23 PM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: GA3 Problem
Almost certainly. The rubber pads have two rubber contacts. I believe it is some type of graphite on the end of the two rubber 'prongs'.
One is longer than the other. When you press a key, the long one makes contact with the circuit board, rapidly followed by the short one.
If you press a key quickly then the time between the two touching the circuit board's contacts is shorter. So the instrument knows you have pressed the key with greater velocity (speed) - hence 'velocity sensitive'.
When you turn off the touch sensitivity circuitry the instrument stops looking for the timing between the two contacts and just plays the note at a fairly loud level, whether you press slowly or quickly. So that particular defective contact merges in because all keys are playing at the same loudness.
On my KN901 I found that the contacts that were failing first were on my most frequently-used keys. Typically C and E in the left hand... and I was probably playing it with a heavy hand too. But I was using it in really bad environments, I was playing at a circus and it stayed in the tent overnight! I still have the KN901, I use it for Style conversion, but it still has these issues so I use it with the touch sensitivity turned off. This is less than desirable so I won't be playing it for pleasure anytime soon!
Your circuit board is fine I should think. Just needs the rubbers swapping. Don't get any of it dusty or dirty when you are swapping!
Best wishes,
Mike
Posted on January 15, 2016 at 11:31 PM
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United States
Total Posts: 74
Joined: March 19, 2015
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Re: GA3 Problem
Alright Mike.
I'll give it a go this evening. Graphite huh? Same stuff pencils are made with? I saw for a fleeting moment something on YouTube, about that.
But,I'll just swap a bottom out for a top. The section is the second B, in from the last key. (C)
Let the fun begin 
I truly appreciate your help in all these areas.
I am though, having fun discovering new things for both my GA3 and Kn5000 that ,I had no clue about.
Have a great weekend Mike
Dennis
Posted on January 16, 2016 at 12:33 AM
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United States
Total Posts: 74
Joined: March 19, 2015
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Re: GA3 Problem
Last question.....
Is there a youtube or set of directions, ( i looked in the manual) on how to take this organ apart?
Posted on January 16, 2016 at 12:57 AM
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United Kingdom
Total Posts: 1055
Joined: February 2, 2014
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Re: GA3 Problem
Not that I know of.
Make sure you're looking at the Service Manual, not the regular user manual.
Keep it dust-free and don't be tempted to touch any of the graphite parts of any of the contacts. Swap as cleanly as you can without touching anything delicate.
Posted on January 16, 2016 at 1:04 AM
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United States
Total Posts: 74
Joined: March 19, 2015
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Re: GA3 Problem
OH! Ok. SERVICE manual. Yah, didn't have that given to me. I'll go get it on the page. DUH!
Thanks again
Posted on January 16, 2016 at 1:07 AM
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United States
Total Posts: 74
Joined: March 19, 2015
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Re: GA3 Problem
JESUS Mike!
Wish you were a call away. I have both manuals off. BOTH are dirty AND sticky! Can I use "air in a can" to get dirt and dust off?
I suppose those rubbers are actually on the green and tan circuit boards...right? 
Posted on January 16, 2016 at 1:48 AM
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United States
Total Posts: 74
Joined: March 19, 2015
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Re: GA3 Problem
Well...its done and seems to work. I actually just swapped sides on same manual. I dont mind telling....not only was that work.....THAT scared the bloody hell out of me! Never,...have I done anything like that before. WOW! Ok...clean up and play time. Again....REALLY APPRECIATED the help and where to look. Have a great weekend Mike.
Posted on January 16, 2016 at 3:41 AM
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