Yamaha S08 Key Repair (by synthpro) 

Hello! I just wanted to share that this video holds up in 2020 and after a couple of frustrating years with D keys sticking (along with a couple C's and E's, and even one B), I now have a fully operational Yamaha S08 again! THANK YOU!

Thank you so much for posting this! I was able to purchase a S08 with 9 sticky keys for $100 and used your video to repair all of them. This was so helpful. Thank you for sharing.

I am ecstatic that I have my synth fully operational again! It has been sitting idle for two years...Thanks Synthpro!!!!!! I had the same problem: 3x D keys sticking, plus one C and one E. Synthpro's video helped give me the confidence to open up the instrument and attempt the repair. The instructions awesome, except for the number of screws I had to take out (like 25-30!) in order to get to the keys. Here are my observations: -Synthpro's workaround is good, but the loose spring will 'click' as the key is played. Closer inspection showed the real issue was a cracked or broken part of the key. The torquing of the keys eventually creates a hairline crack at the anchor point; and for some reason, it is more prevalent in the D C & E keys. -All the sticking keys were cracked at the same place..i.e. the bottom, right, inside of the flange that forms the socket for the anchor point at the back of the key. I actually snapped two of the little pieces off (which were only cracked) while checking....then was more careful in looking...all were able to be repaired with superglue. If only cracked, I gently spread it open a bit and dripped glue in. Luckily the sheared off the pieces had clean enough edges to fit back together again cleanly. Just to be extra diligent, I exchanged the more played D keys I repaired with ones on the high and low ends which get less use...although I am pretty sure the superglue did it's job. -IF any of the glue bubbled out of the repaired crack, you will need to scrape it off when cured. A high spot will cause the key to continue being sluggish or stick. -You need to completely free the frame holding the keys (screws along the back of the key 'rack') so you can pull the assembly away from the front panel of the casing. This is necessary to have enough clearance to pull the keys forward then up when you release the locking tab. - Releasing the keys: Use whatever to gently release the locking tab on the bottom of the key (I used a letter opener). Don't need to pry hard! It does not take much for them to release..actually the thickness of my letter opener was sufficient without any significant prying. Once the tab is flexed, gently push the key straight forward. I should slide a half inch. Then lift the front of the key to remove it....it should come out easily. -Replacing the key: Lay it in place; then slide it forward a little..the front end should drop a little. then slide it back while slightly raising the back end of the key. This will allow the front to engage the upper limiter, and allow the back to 'catch' the spring properly. then gently seat the anchoring point by sliding it forward again and pressing down...you should feel the spring's tension as you do. Level the key and the spring will push it back and it will seat. IF the front then springs up higher than the other keys when done, you did not catch the front end correctly and must remove and repeat.

The spring looks like a tuning fork looks like the Yamaha logo :-) Great video best !!!

I also tried to "repair" my two broken D keys on S08. Yes it works, but the sound of the key (when muted) is different than other keys. So, after 2 weeks I bought 2 new D keys and replace them. Very useful video, it mostly helped me for disassemble process, but 6Euros for one key is not too much to make a replacement. Thanks anyway for the video!

Thanks a MILLION for the video! The keys on my S08 started to stick all over the range of the keyboard over the past year, and using this trick I managed to fix all of them. They feel good and it's great to be able to play freely on it again, cheers.

Followed your instructions and worked like a charm. Thank you for posting.

worked perfectly. had a few extra screws left at the end though! thanks

cheers! got there in the end. I think i took a few more screws out than I needed though! My keys were actually damaged but your method works for that too [along with a little superglue]

Your Welcome Debi, happy to hear this video helped you out!!!! Take care and God bless, Jareth

Thanks so much for the help with sticking/slow keys. Took it apart, found the two D keys (one below middle C and one an octave above middle C), glued one, and just left the little part of the back of the key off. That part is what makes it hang up, and it's not essential. I did do the swap to put the damaged keys at each end of the keyboard, and it seems perfect now. And, I have two small black screws left over! Oh well...

@walksville Great, glad to hear this video helped you out! Take care, Jareth

Thanks a lot for posting this. Mine also has a sticking D key like many other comments below. I will try fixing it when I have the time.

Your Welcome, glad this helped you out!!!! Take care, Jareth

Good morning Jareth - I have a Yamaha SO8 synth that needs the lithium battery replaced. I'm getting alternating responses, including calling Yamaha direct, regarding replacing the battery. Do I need to back up the internal factory presets (basically all the keyboard sounds) before I replace the battery, or does that just affect any edited patches (of which I have none.) Also - according to the owners manual, it states that if the keyboard is plugged into AC current but not turned on there is still a slight current going to the keyboard. Can you give me advice on this ? Thanks !! Dan S.

Unfortunately this was not my keyboard, I just repaired it for a friend. The next time I see him though, I may borrow it from him and make a demo. Take care, Jareth

@Drenov Thank Dren!

@JayCNelson It sounds like a broken shaft or bearing in the potentiometer or dust between the wiper of the pot.

Good work

@coolmerc3 its to do with your pitch bend wheel... try moving it slightly till its correct and if anything tape it down in that position!... but yeah you need to contact yamaha too lol

I have a yamaha S80 not similar do you have or know a tutorial

The instructions were great and I was successful in making the repair. However, after a couple of weeks of moderate use, the problem returned on the same key. Is there any further option such as switching for a less used key or lubrication?

Hallo! Many thanks for this video, i'm from Indonesia. But, i have question. I have Yamaha S08, and why my piano keys is so hard to press? It's like not normal. Please answer this question, and ur answer is so helpful for me. Thanks

@coolmerc3 Utility button, MasterTune option. enjoy

Hello I was trying to stop the keys from sticking like you showed. The one key that I was going to replace came out without me unclasping it. It doesn't look broken so I stuck it back on and the key is higher than the rest. What I do wrong?

Hello, can you tell me how I can replace the 3v lithium battery in my S08 synthesizer? I have the battery, but I am not sure how to open the caseing. Thank you.

Hi jareth, how did you disconnect the back blue wires

@KyleJordanHenry I am not real sure, but I am guessing it is since it is in the same model type.

I have a question about the usb interface. when ever i try to connect via usb nothing happens, this is no notification anything is connect, yamahas driver (installer from website) will not recognisances that its connected... any ideas?(midi ports work fine though)

@dorke991 Very Nice! Thanks for sharing that bit of info.

Well, there are several things that could cause that. Have you tried a different USB cable for connecting? If so, you could have a problem with the USB plug and play programming of your Yamaha. I would suspect a problem with driver before anything else. It may have not installed correctly.

I have a Yamaha S 08 and it's not quite a half step off perfect pitch...How can I adjust this to be within true pitch? it's aggravating when playing alongside another keyboard and we're not in tune.. HELP PLEASE

I was wondering if you know where I can get a replacement key. I had one shipped to me and it arrived with a broken key. I can't seem to find them anywhere online. Thanks!

@synthpro nope its not. just took it apart.. i have these rubber contacts in mine and one of them is damaged and that seems to be the problem.. guess i have to order a replacement part from yamaha

would this be the same on a yamaha so3 keyboard?

@KyleJordanHenry Ah, Sorry I was no help to you on this one. Take care, Jareth

Hey, you know how reset the voices of the yahama s08 to factory mode, thanks brother

What would cause a key to not be able to be pressed down?

I havent tried another cable but i use that cable with my printer so i dont think thats the problem, the computer doesn't discover that the yamaha is connected... though i have been using a 0.3A powersupply, (its enough to activate the system and use as a midi controller but not enough to power audio) I bought it used the other day for 30 quid, as it stands its in ok nick, mod wheels gone 3 keys are sticky, the guy didnt know if midi still worked but it seems to have midi out,