Could a keyboard get damaged from being stored in upright position?

Hi everyone,

The number of keyboards in my household keeps increasing, and, unfortunately, the square footage of my apartment remains constant. So I decided to store my gigging keyboards (roland fantom x7 and Yamaha p95) in the closet, leaning against the wall in the upright position. Seeing how the keys are dangling randomly, I am worried if this type of storage could result in any damage over a long period of time. I contacted Yamaha representative who told me that they wouldn't recommend storing it that way permanently, but not because they know it could cause damage, but because, if down the line the damage does occur, they don't want me calling back and accusing them for giving me a wrong advise. Since that answer sounded more like a "cover-our-butts" type of reply, I figure you guys could give me your recommendations. Has anyone ever seen damage on any keyboard from upright storage?

Thanks.

N.

I have never heard of any damage

My organ is usually in an upright position, and it's just fine.

Just fine...

There can be some flatting or sharping depending on orientation; flip at least every six months.

the various belts and pulley systems may get stretched a bit

and the oil could run out

"Space, The Final Frontier" Words well spoken by a fellow Canadian, & an actual Starship Captain and Commander too. hahaha,

Anyhow, why do you want to hide them 'closeted' keys. To save space, think up, outside the box, perhaps above sitting eye level. Only If you'd really rather keep them out, and have them safe too?

So, buy a couple pairs of attractive, sturdy shelf brackets and a few 'board feet' of cherry, any nice lumber you have available in your neck of the woods.

Get a stud finder out, or a flashlight to find the nail marks on the wall drill a few small holes and screw those bad boys up. Instant art too.

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And a very unique vice that has to be seen to be appreciated by craftsmen.

Chas

Until last week I would have said "No".

But I had my JD-800 (which was in perfect condition) stored in a case in upright position for 2 month. Playing it yesterday for the first time some keys do not respond anymore. Some notes remain completely silent, others trigger only when the keys are pressed very hard. Now I have to investigate wheter the key contacts have simply oxidized (which is not a fault of the upright position) or if there has been some kind of mechanical influence to the keybed.

Whatever it is, I'm sad.

I love teh JD.

I thought there was a discussion a couple of years ago concerning lubricant for internal key mechanisms, in particular graded hammer-action keys, moving around when a board is stored on its side for very long periods of time. I could be imaging it though - you know those goofy fabricated memories.

I can't think of something that would go wrong with a synth stored in an upright position.

But if I had no choice but store it that way, I would:

1. Lay on the floor the heavier side of the keyboard [PSU side]. Some older keyboards have PSUs that weigh a ton,

2. Make sure it's the bottom/underside side of the keyboard that's leaning against the wall,

3. Cover the unit completely. Packing it back inside its original [or custom-made] box is best. If that's not an option because it kills too much space, wrap it in a clean sheet making sure it's completely covered then use large rubber bands around it:)

I think Redhotpoker's idea is excellent: storing them right there in the studio, but above eye level. Not only will they be quickly accessible when they're needed, but they'll be stored in their normal, flat position... AND the pride/geekiness will show!

Only problem with this method is if you have cats: they will LOVE it:lol:

Ha ha ha. What a great post!

Thanks for your replys. I would love to say that the verdict is out, and that it's safe to store it in the upright possition, but it doesn't seem that way... I also like Redhotpoker's idea, but my wife would veto it in a heartbeat! I'll have to re-think my storage situation, and until then I'll rotate it every six months!!

N.

Somewhere I saw someone who had gotten Ikea shelving and did something similar to this.

It could get damaged if it fell over :poke:

I store my KORG TR like this. I put it in the case with an old tableclock wrapped around it. Then I lean it up against the wall with the non keys side down. So far no problems. It's about 3 years old.

good luck

jk, that must be a ' Salvadore Dali' Clock, if it 'wrapsaround' anything...

Chas

I store my keyboards in upright position, have done so for years (synths & digital pianos), w/no ill effects. They are in their cases, though, ready to be hauled out for gigs on a moment's notice - whereas it sounds like yours are not (in cases), when you say, keys are "dangling randomly"... - - but I think that the actual position of the keys where they are as you store them that way isn't the issue, but rather the fact that they're unprotected (not in cases) - and could get whacked or damaged somehow in the closet in which they're stored?

Here's another's thoughts on the subject:

Hi!

If i keep my hammer-action keyboard in an upright position, won't it hurt it's key mechanic?

i own a fatar sl-880 keyboard as my second keyboard and use it only to play piano or record piano parts. so for most of the time it isn't on my keyboard stand, instead it is stored in corner, leaned against the wall for reasons of space saving.

i thought: this thing is not just some synth-keaybord, it has precise mechanics, so maybe it gets damaged from standing in an unnatural position.

or is this just paranoia, what do you think? =)

thanks in advance!

Paranoia, most likely.

I had my SL-880 apart earlier this year and replaced all the key contacts.

The contacts themselves are light-weight, moulded silicon strips with carbon contact surfaces, pressed down into ordinary printed circuit boards. The springs are ordinary coil springs, located at the very back of each key, and the miniscule movement required from key-up do key-down should mean they will last forever. The "hammer weights" are made of metal, sits beneath the front part of the keys and seems to let ordinary Newtonian gravity do all the work when it comes to the hammer feel of the keys. The whole assembly is fairly well locked in place with several sturdy metal braces.

In short, I can think of nothing in the setup that would suffer from being stored sideways, although I must admit I didn't specifically look for anything either, since my keyboard is always placed the right way up.

The things to look out for in the SL-880s are worn contacts (easily replaced, as long as you can find someone who sells them), and faulty electronics -- the power switch and surrounding circuitry seems to be the most common complaint, and it might be a good idea to not use the built-in switch unnecessarily, but hook the power supply up to a power strip with its own on-off switch!

Must depend on the actual unit themselves, as they aren't all constructed using the same jigs and methods.

Ounce of Prevention ($220.00 Cn.) = Pound of Cure (Priceless)

Chas