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I have a Yamaha P250 stage piano that, when left off for any period of time, makes a horrendous screeching noise at power on. It lasts for about a minute or so...then goes away. I've done some Googling for the problem, and can't find a response....and since I don't gig with it, and can leave the room until it warms up, I haven't taken it into a shop. Before I spend the $ or get an estimate, anyone else encounter the problem?

I'll try to post a YT video later of the issue.

Condensator / coil whine.

Here's the video. It's LOUD (turn down your speakers). I go through several power on cycles - at first, it's just the noise, and keys don't do anything. As it warms up, I get some key sound....and the noise / cracking. Once it's fully warmed up (7-8 minutes), It plays perfectly normally.




If it's a condensator or coil, is that something I can buy / replace, or does it need to go to a professional? Any idea on the cost?

Thanks in advance.

With no info on the fault it is impossible to diagnose from a video.

But as a first stop, I would suspect 20 year old caps are failing in the power supply. Assuming they haven't leaked and ruined the board or other components, fix could be quick and easy if you have some DIY experience.

However, the voltages are dangerous there so to prevent harm or fire, if I were you I would not DIY. Bring this to a local electronics tech (e.g. stereo repair place). A Yamaha repair depot would be first choice if you have one nearby but my local techs are fine.

Waiting for repair could cause more damage or worse. I am not comfortable running faulty electronics (or even keeping them plugged in) and you should not be either.

I would replace the whole thing. It's a stiff as heck action.

@kokomo: Since you live in metro Washington it ought to be easy to find a Yamaha-trained technician.

Check the yellow pages ... no wait, that's so 20th century.

Contact Yamaha online.
Or call their parts department in California.
They're helpful and can likely name a local company that handles Yamaha repairs.

Yamaha Corporation of America
6600 Orangethorpe Ave
Buena Park CA 90620

phone 714-522-9011
phone 714-522-9961

I got in contact with Music Technology over in Annandale - they fixed my previous P200, so I just need to haul it over there some time soon. They'll give me a diagnosis and estimate. I'm pretty confident they can figure out the problem.

Music Technology Inc.

I'd need to get it fixed first, regardless. It's definitely heavier action than my Roland HP-504, but still a good piano (other than the noise).

At 70 lbs and having to haul it up a flight of stairs....I need a roadie or two.

Kokomo61, I have the EXACT same problem with my P-250! Did you get it fixed, and how did you do it and what exactly was the problem?

How did it work out with the P-250? There isn't much available on this model. I am having mine take 30 min to turn on and then its just a loud sine wave blasting.

I had th same, but it occured intermitantly in an insidious manner; I never knew when to expect it. It was like an evil entity.
The model was a kawai CN 270, not sure. But it was the main board (motherboard they used to be called) and it was fine when it'd been replaced.