Replace felts and fix loud note issue in Clavinova CLP-480

jenpal

Hi guys,

Just wanted to share that since I replaced the felts of my old Clavinova CLP-480, its key action has improved so much, and no longer feel bouncy which I used to perceive before. In addition, I also cleaned its key sensors to fix the loud note issues.

Now, I like playing my CLP-480 piano again in alternate with my N1X.

This is the old felt I replaced, which was hanging and almost reaching the bottom.

In case someone is interested, here is a summary of what I did in replacing the upper and lower felts. I purchased the felts online for about AUD $65 each, and also air duster for cleaning.

Step 1 (yellow): remove 3 screws at the back and remove the top cover

Step 2 (red): remove 2 screws in both sides and remove sliding cover

Step 3 (green): remove 11 screws and move the front panel forward

Step 4 (light orange): remove 2 screws and remove side panels

Step 5 (white): remove 9 screws and slightly push the keyboard forward and then push up a little to remove the connector under the keyboard

Step 6 (purple): remove the pin connector and cable/wire attached to the keyboard

Step 7: carefully remove the keyboard and place on a flat surface

Step 8: Replace the old upper felt (and optionally the lower felt as needed) with new ones

Btw, I also cleaned the key sensors, however, the process was so tedious and tricky. I decided to do this because some of the keys are loud even when pressed lightly. Below is the summary of how I cleaned it.

Step 1 (yellow rectangle): carefully wiggle up the pin cable connectors to loosen and then remove the connector pins

Step 2 (yellow circle): remove 16 screws

Step 3: carefully remove the 3 printed circuit boards (labelled L, M, and H) and also the rubber membranes at the back

Step 4: clean the 3 PCB and rubber membranes with air duster (note: I also used vacuum cleaner)

Step 5: carefully screw back the 3 PCB’s and its corresponding rubber membranes

Finally, after putting all the piano parts back together, the key action is now as good as new.

Cheers,

jenpal

David B

Did you have to re-lube anything?

jenpal

David B No, I just used vacuum cleaner and air duster to remove the dust.

HZPiano

jenpal the key action is now as good as new.

Well done!

Cheers and happy playing,

SouthPark

Also nice - what appears to be - Thai Constellation. That was pretty good how air-blowing the pads plus vacuum appears to have sorted the 'loud note' issue. If it happens again, then maybe a dome sensor strip overhaul/replacements.

MacMacMac

I replaced that same felt on my CLP240 several years ago. Big difference.

Now it needs contact cleaning. The G3 note is intermittently loud.

I'll also lube the keys. I'm surprised you didn't.
It's a bit tedious but not difficult, and it improves the feel dramatically.

The question is when. I've been putting this off for far too long.

jenpal

Fortunately for me, the key rubber contacts are still pretty good and don’t have to replace it. The contacts in the PCB against the key rubber is fairly clean, so I only used compressed air duster and then vacuum as my air duster sometimes left some white residue.

Cleaning the key contacts solves all the intermittent loud notes on my Clavinova.

When putting back the key rubber contacts and PCB to the keyboard, I visually inspected each rubber contact just before screwing back the PCB, and did it by section (L, M, and H) to make sure that there were no dust inside the rubber contacts (I used mostly vacuum cleaner to remove any dust I found).

SouthPark

jenpal (I used mostly vacuum cleaner to remove any dust I found).

Excellent call, as rubbing/wiping can remove the electrically conductive film material from the rubber surface, especially when the rubber is relatively old/aged.

jenpal

I have been playing my Clavinova more often now since I replaced the felt and cleaned the keyboard contacts. I am surprised how good its key action now, and no longer feel bouncy. If I am not mistaken, the action of my CLP-480 NW is the same as the CLP-240 GH3. For me, it’s definitely 100% worth replacing the upper felt and cleaning the keyboard contacts.

With such massive improvement to my CLP-480, I decided to buy Garritan last night to complement its great action with great VST. So, here is a recording from my Clavinova with Garritan CFX, but please bear with my playing as I always miss notes and out of timing sometimes (still need more and more practice).

jp-clair-de-lune-garritan.flac

Cheers.

SouthPark

JP … that sounds extremely nice already. This is one of the infinite number of reasons for playing the piano. An amazing instrument. The sounds are to live for.

jenpal

Thanks SouthPark 😊

Queue99

Recommendations for replacing rubber contacts

When replacing the rubber contacts on the GH keyboard, prepare a long, thin stick about 130 cm long.

Thread it through all the hammers so that the hammers do not fall.

Then turn the keyboard unit over.

Next, remove the contact board and replace the rubber contacts, so they can be installed in the correct position.

Yamaha has admitted to having problems with rubber contacts on electronic pianos manufactured between 2014 and 2021.