My Yamaha Disklavier just makes a ‘Pop’ when I press the power button and doesn’t light up. Or it whines loudly while it’s running, and then powers off? Can you fix it?
Yes! If you have an older Yamaha Disklavier from the 90s, this is a very common problem, and usually indicates that the power supply has failed. I can box it up and send it to Tap Electronics, who can then rebuild it. At present (8/17/24), this is a flat-rate service provided by Tap for $750. Tap Electronics is authorized by Yamaha.
This message concerns second generation Disklavier, such as the MX100II or the DKC100R, or the DKC500R. All of these use variations of the same power supply.
My Yamaha Disklavier runs for a few seconds (or even a few minutes), but then turns off. Can you fix it?
Yes! You might have a power supply that’s dying (in which case, see the answer to the last question). However, you might simply have a damaged power button. You can test this by wiggling the power button side-to-side with your finger. When they wear out, sometimes even just the vibrations of the piano can cause them to switch on and off. These buttons aren’t terribly difficult to replace; however, they’re discontinued.
Their (discontinued) Yamaha Part number is VN388300. The switch itself is a (discontinued) ALPS SPPH23. You can see a spec sheet for the ALPS SPPH230500 here. Unfortunately, I haven’t found an exact duplicate, and would love to know if you have. I purchase bulk generic locking switches from Amazon and use sandpaper to shape them to size.
This message concerns second generation Disklaviers, such as the MX100II or the DKC100R, or the DKC500R. All of these use variations of the same power supply.
I can’t figure out how to connect my Yamaha Disklaver to the internet. Can you help?
Yes! I wrote a definitive guide on connecting the Disklavier wirelessly. I don’t generally recommend using the native wireless adapters that come with your device, which are clumsy and confusing. I use PowerLine adapters, which allow you to broadcast your network signal right through the power lines in your house! This technology means neither you nor your piano ever have to adjust and reconfigure anything. No keeping track of passwords, no weak signals, and no need to call a technician every time you buy a new router. Just plug in your piano and marvel at its spontaneous, excellent internet connection.
This works in most homes, although in particularly large houses or houses with old wiring the PowerLine adapters might have trouble. In that case, the best device to use is a WiFi extender mounted underneath the piano.
This message concerns later Disklaviers, starting with the fourth generation Mark IV, the DKC800, and the modern-day Enspire.
Can you replace or upgrade old floppy drives?
Replacement is sometimes an option, and upgrading always is. Most manufacturers have stopped producing replacement drives, but they can often still be purchased second hand. eBay is a good resource.
However, I recommend upgrading to a USB floppy disk emulator. The Bulgarian company Nalbantov Electronics manufactures USB floppy disk emulators specifically for older digital pianos and players. These systems allow you to use a single USB stick in place of dozens (if not hundreds) of floppy disks. As solid-state devices these are considerably more durable and long-lasting than old-fashioned floppy drives.
With some generations of Disklavier (most notably Mark II / MX100II / MX100A / MX100B devices), the floppy disk drives are mounted behind a shaped plastic piece. In these cases, you’ll need to cut away the old plastic facing (a pair of flush-cut nippers is helpful here), install the new drive, and put some kind of buffer around it. I’ve experimented with a few different choices for something functional and attractive. Neoprene works to fill in the around the drive, but it doesn’t help much with keeping the Nalbantov securely in place.
I have a 3D model of a floppy bezel that’s sized to fit around a Nalbantov. You can 3D print this yourself, or you can order one from me. This mount holds the Nalbantov in place, and also fills in the gaps around the edges. It’s an all-in-one solution for mounting the Nalbantov, and allows you to reuse the same screws the original floppy disk drive was installed with.
You can read more about this on my Nalbantov Floppy Disk Drive Upgrades page.
This message concerns first through fourth generation Disklaviers, such as the DKC5R, the MX100II, the DKC100R, the DKC500R, and the Mark IV. All of these systems use floppy disks.
What do I do with all of my old Yamaha Disklavier floppy disks?
I’ve written quite a lot about what to do with these disks, including how to back them up to your computer and convert them for use in modern players or Nalbantov floppy disk emulators.
If you’d prefer not to transfer them yourselves, this is a service I offer! If you’d like, you can send all of your floppy disks to me, and I can prepare them all either for your newer player system or for a floppy disk emulator!
I have a list of software tools for use with Yamaha Disklavier floppy disks.
This message concerns first through fourth generation Disklaviers, such as the DKC5R, the MX100II, the DKC100R, the DKC500R, and the Mark IV. All of these systems use floppy disks.
My Disklavier used to connect to the internet, but hasn’t for the last few years!
Several years ago, in the fall of 2020, Yamaha updated their security protocols. Suddenly, all of their slightly older Disklaviers, including the popular Mark IV, DKC-800, and DKC-850, could no longer talk to the Yamaha mothership!
If you were turning your Disklavier on regularly, the update would have been forced upon you. However, if you weren’t doing this, you missed your chance! Fortunately, you can still install the update manually.
For the Mark IV, the update is available online through my website including Yamaha’s instructions. If you don’t have access to floppy disks and a CD burner, I also sell an update kit prepared for use with your piano.
For the E3 (DKC800 / DKC850), I also have the update available online through my website, and it remains easily available through Yamaha’s. This requires the simple use of a USB stick!
This message concerns later Disklaviers, including the Mark IV, the E3 (DKC800 / DKC850), but not the Enspire.