I notice a weird thing: whenever I get a stuck key on my Motif XS8, it’s always a B note. B1, B3, B4, whichever B, sometimes 3 B’s at the same time. And nothing but B’s.

Are B keys built a couple of micrometers closer to something that can stick? I usually open up my XS and vacuum it out, and this solves the sticky keys for a few months.

Not sure if it’s the act of vacuuming or the turning of the XS upside down or just the fresh air in this humid climate when I open the case, something I do solves the issue. Then the next time I get Rachmaninoff-level virtuostic (and only then) on the XS, soon stuck keys appear again. And all B’s, every single dang time.

What’s up with this, anyone knows?

Certain contaminants can cause unwanted electrical conduction, especially when the humidity is high. High humidity can also cause corrosion to develop at internal connections. A more thorough cleaning - not just vacuuming - would probably resolve the problem for a reasonable period. If you have good mechanical and electronic skills, and the Service Manual, then you might be able to do the work yourself. Otherwise, either have the XS serviced by a qualified technician, or continue to just periodically vacuum.

By the way, I’d suggest posting XS6/7/8 questions to the Motif XF forum, since those models have more in common with the XF than they do with the Rack unit.

Thank you for your answer, 5pinDIN. By “stuck keys” I meant the B keys get physically stuck at half height during rebound. Not coming fully back up, as if they’re brushing against something. It doesn’t seem to be as much an electronic contact issue as physical friction.

Today is cleaning day, I’ll see what I find inside the XS. The nearest authorized Yamaha service is somewhere in the Continental US, 4000 miles from our island, so I have a repair choice between DIY and DIY. :-)

Vacuuming completed yesterday with success, there are no more stuck keys now. There was not a speck of rust in the XS, the inside looked like brand new. So rust was not a factor here.

mrdelurk - 15 August 2014 04:41 PM

Thank you for your answer, 5pinDIN. By “stuck keys” I meant the B keys get physically stuck at half height during rebound. Not coming fully back up, as if they’re brushing against something. It doesn’t seem to be as much an electronic contact issue as physical friction.[...]

Sorry, I misinterpreted “stuck key”. I’ve never experienced a sticking key on my XS6 or XF6. It’s interesting that you’re having problems with only the B keys, since the E keys are identical - they not only look the same, so is the part number.

5pinDIN - 17 August 2014 08:28 AM

I’ve never experienced a sticking key on my XS6 or XF6.

My XS8 has weighted keys. I think the XS6 I played once was unweighted. Perhaps the extra weighting mechanism might be related to the sticking / dust issue.

Or… the service manual says on Page 53: “There are four (4) kinds of hammers that differ in weight. When reinstalling a hammer, take care not to install a wrong hammer.” I don’t know the service history of this XS8, but I saw some blue Sharpie marks on the hammers. Not sure if Yamaha marks up XS8’s like this at the factory.

Hmm, somehow I missed that you have an XS8 when I made my previous comment. Unlike the XS6 and XS7 (with the FSX action), the B and E keys for the XS8 are different.

I am having the same problem on my XS8....only B3 is sticking....I have had it serviced twice...but the problem keeps coming back. I am now thinking of just replacing the key. How do I purchase a replacement key?

Weird...just bought a used xs8 and the only issue I have is a B3 key that always feels a little sticky when it’s been unplayed for a while.  I push it down a couple of times and all is good, but might become a problem.