Topic by amhosib

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Topic: fatar 88TP/40gh v 88TP/40wood

This is slightly "off key" (forgive the pun) but is a revisit of earlier threads and I am hoping that Sigasa (amongst others) will contribute.
I have a Kurzweil Mark 152i digital baby grand that I wish to modify.
The original keyboard is a Fatar (which one?) and I am thinking of its replacement with either a current 40GH or 40wood. ( if I could source the latter.)It is probable that the chassis size of the 40wood is too large, but the 40GH may be a straight swap.
I can obtain a 40GH chassis from Doepfer but can I still use the existing Kurzweil connections?.
The alternative would be using the Doepfer PK88 chassis and electronics and connecting to the Kurzweil via its midi connection.
I dont particularly want to keep the Kurzweil sound engine, but would like to keep its amplification system but am hampered by my lack of the appropriate Kurzweil schematics, does anyone know of a source for its service manual.?
Is this a do'able project, or best to leave well alone.?
The eventual plan was to mount an Intel NUC unit inside using wireless connections/control for mouse/keyboard.
Any help,advice, comments gratefully received.

Reply by sigasa

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Re: fatar 88TP/40gh v 88TP/40wood

Amhosib

The TP40WOOD is equivalent to the TP400, not the TP40. A little confusing I know. The TP40 is good and a lot of people like it very much, but it does not have the grand replicating key throw of the TP400/TP40WOOD. Hope that clears things a bit.

I think it is possible to source a TP40WOOD, but it is almost the price of a NUMA Nero anyway so if you indeed want a TPWOOD, you may as well buy the Nero as it is still being sold. Alternatively, if you prefer the TP400 (same keybed, just not wood) then buy the NUMA (white).

I don't know about connectivity so maybe someone else could advise you on that.

Hope this helps,

Kindest Regards,

Chris

Reply by amhosib

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Re: fatar 88TP/40gh v 88TP/40wood

sigasa wrote:

Amhosib

The TP40WOOD is equivalent to the TP400, not the TP40. A little confusing I know. The TP40 is good and a lot of people like it very much, but it does not have the grand replicating key throw of the TP400/TP40WOOD. Hope that clears things a bit.

I think it is possible to source a TP40WOOD, but it is almost the price of a NUMA Nero anyway so if you indeed want a TPWOOD, you may as well buy the Nero as it is still being sold. Alternatively, if you prefer the TP400 (same keybed, just not wood) then buy the NUMA (white).

I don't know about connectivity so maybe someone else could advise you on that.

Hope this helps,

Kindest Regards,

Chris

Thanks.
The other option also would be an used (mint condition) VMK188plus, this would provide a 88TP/40GH

Reply by Beemer

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Re: fatar 88TP/40gh v 88TP/40wood

amhosib wrote:
sigasa wrote:

Amhosib

The TP40WOOD is equivalent to the TP400, not the TP40. A little confusing I know. The TP40 is good and a lot of people like it very much, but it does not have the grand replicating key throw of the TP400/TP40WOOD. Hope that clears things a bit.

I think it is possible to source a TP40WOOD, but it is almost the price of a NUMA Nero anyway so if you indeed want a TPWOOD, you may as well buy the Nero as it is still being sold. Alternatively, if you prefer the TP400 (same keybed, just not wood) then buy the NUMA (white).

I don't know about connectivity so maybe someone else could advise you on that.

Hope this helps,

Kindest Regards,

Chris

Thanks.
The other option also would be an used (mint condition) VMK188plus, this would provide a 88TP/40GH

but read this:

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/reviews...-plus.html

Reply by amhosib

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Re: fatar 88TP/40gh v 88TP/40wood

Beemer wrote:
amhosib wrote:
sigasa wrote:

Amhosib

The TP40WOOD is equivalent to the TP400, not the TP40. A little confusing I know. The TP40 is good and a lot of people like it very much, but it does not have the grand replicating key throw of the TP400/TP40WOOD. Hope that clears things a bit.

I think it is possible to source a TP40WOOD, but it is almost the price of a NUMA Nero anyway so if you indeed want a TPWOOD, you may as well buy the Nero as it is still being sold. Alternatively, if you prefer the TP400 (same keybed, just not wood) then buy the NUMA (white).

I don't know about connectivity so maybe someone else could advise you on that.

Hope this helps,

Kindest Regards,

Chris

Thanks.
The other option also would be an used (mint condition) VMK188plus, this would provide a 88TP/40GH

but read this:

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/reviews...-plus.html

Yes, I am aware of the review both good and bad, but I only need the keybed chassis, and let the Kurzweil do the controlling.
Regards

Reply by Beemer

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Re: fatar 88TP/40gh v 88TP/40wood

I also have an 88 key Kurzweil but not the $12000 one you have.   I'm curious why you want to change the existing fully weighted keys?

Ian

Reply by amhosib

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Re: fatar 88TP/40gh v 88TP/40wood

Beemer wrote:

I also have an 88 key Kurzweil but not the $12000 one you have.   I'm curious why you want to change the existing fully weighted keys?

Ian

It may have cost $12k in the US, but I bought on UK flea-bay as a non-working unit for 300gbp.($450).
I gambled on the fault and won.
The original owner lived in Florida during 2003/2009 where the 152i was purchased new during this time frame, and then shipped back to the UK where it ceased working.
I gambled that it was a single voltage unit and the owner had pushed UK voltage through.(240v)
I got a fully functional 152i for the cost of 2 blown "slow-blow" line fuses!

The keybed is OK but certainly not up to Kawai either MP or VPC1 standard, and having now obtained the service manual and schematics from Kurzweil USA, I can see a number of possibilities for it.
I also enjoy the fiddling.