Hello everybody

I'm considering building a custom masterkeyboard controller since the options on the market don't suit my needs and I can count on the help of an engineer.
First things first: does anybody know a good internet resource/community apart from pianoworld that could be helpful?
And a second question: where could I get a good keybed to start from? I know that Fatar do sell keybeds only, but is that really the only one company that does this? What are my possibilities to buy single parts (like keybed, case, interface etc.)?

You could probably buy a keybed from one of the manufacturers, but I'm not sure about a case. You might consider building your own. As for the rest of the piano, you could probably make your own electronics if you have knowledge of electronic assembly and components etc.

Yamaha will sell you parts and even an entire key action. But why bother? Just buy a CP33 for $999.

There is no reason to build your own keyboard based on parts from Yamaha or Roland because in the end your keyboard will be just like a Yamaha or a Roland which would have been cheaper to buy.

If you want to build something better than what is on the market buy a used Grand Piano. Then chop it up. Lots of "junk" grands on the used market that you can have for any price from free on up. You'd need to add some kind of velocity sensors to the hammers. I'd use optical sensors where the hammers interrupt a couple light beams.

My problem is that I need only 61 keys but with good velocity response and touch. So I was thinking about buying a keybed only and cutting it down to 61 keys.

That is the one good reason to build something, because you can't buy it. Still, I think cheaper to buy a used keyboard say maybe a CP33 and modify it then to buy the parts. Yamaha has a parts web site where you can order
Yamaha Parts

Go to this thread, page 2:

http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1326909/2.html

An engineer actually did this very thing of cutting down an 88-key weighted keyboard. It was a Yamaha P80, I believe.

LesCharles73, wow nice find!

Cheers,
James
x

Thanks for the links.
I'm considering buying a Fatar TP10MDF keybed (could get one for around 300$) and cutting it down to 61 keys

There is a project on the web for building your own keyboard. This is still in it's infancy:

http://diykeyboard.org/

Rich

I hope you're good with electronics. Remember that there is a PC board which runs the length of the keyboard. Cutting in to that will break traces which may or may not shut down the entire assembly. Also note that there is a ribbon connector somewhere in there. It may be in the middle, or it may be at the end that you want to cut off.

Just be prepared to make a lot of jumpers and trace repairs. It's definitely doable, but the mechanical aspect of sawing it in half is the easy part.

Personally, I'd save myself the hassle, and buy this:
http://www.fatar.com/Studiologic/Pages/VMK_161pl.html

It's a weighted, hammer action, controller keyboard available in 49-, 61-, 76- and 88-key variants. The Midi Store has it in stock for around $623:
http://www.midi-store.com/Fatar-Studiologic-VMK-161-Plus-midi-keyboard-p-16189.html

My question to this a post if Yamaha will sell you parts and even an entire key action will they require any product information like serial numbers? Before ordering

Can you still order if you are located outside the U.S.?

Thanks