Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards CLP-685 Possible Abnormal Key Noise

I purchased a CLP-685 back in August and, overall, I’m very pleased with it.

However, one very, very slightly annoying thing I’ve noticed is that two keys, D4 and F4, seem to sometimes emit a strange noise when pressing (the F more often than the D). It’s extremely hard to describe and the best I can do is that it’s a “crunchy” sound in the action (I know, a horrible descriptor). It almost sounds as if there is a piece of wood splinter or something that sometimes rubs against another key or some other surface. That’s my best guess, anyway. Though nothing seems visible when I look in between the keys, so maybe it’s coming from the key bed. It’s definitely not a click or a squeak, and it doesn’t affect the touch. It’s not every time it is pressed, either, but it can become evident to me when playing and I can almost “feel” it, though I’m probably just being hypersensitive.

Has anyone ever experienced a similar sound/sensation on a higher end Clavinova? I hesitate to call a tech as, even though it’s well under warranty, I’m not sure if it’s just me being overly particular and I fear that anyone who checks it out would think I’m crazy. I would post a video or something, but I doubt it would even get picked up in the audio. But it’s defintiely there, and just those two keys. Any ideas?

I have a CLP-685 from December 2017. The keyboard is completely free of any odd noise. I would absolutely have a tech look at it while it’s in warranty. To expensive to have an annoying sound!

Another way to describe it might be a snapping sound, like when someone snaps their fingers, but much, much more quiet, really only noticeable to the player, and very, very subtle. And as I mentioned, intermittent, not very time it is pressed.

It being so subtle is what makes me wonder if it’s just me being hypersensitive. Or maybe it’s something to do with temperature since they are wooden keys? Though I do think I noticed it off and on since day one, just didn’t think much of it until I really got used to the piano.

I guess my concern with calling a tech is: if they don’t notice anything is wrong, will I get stuck with a big bill, even though it’s under warranty?

I honestly don't know the policy there. I've never heard anything like that though from my piano, and if I did I would call (I'm sure you could ask them about it too.) It really doesn't sound right, it's especially telling that you only hear it on two keys. If it was normal keyboard noise (which on mine is just thumps) you'd hear it on more than just two I think, that really does sound like there is some noise in the mechanism that shouldn't be there.

BTW, has it made this noise since you've had it or has it developed over time?

You won't be stuck with any kind of bill for a warranty call. If you call and clearly specify that you're making a warranty claim, it'll be handled on the manufacturer's dime. PLEASE don't choose to not call for service you're fully entitled to based on this concern.

I believe so, yes, though, it's really only become a distraction to me in the past couple of months as I've gotten really comfortable with the action/feel. It's also very intermittent. For instance, I played a bit this morning, and didn't notice it at all (and I was paying special attention). Last night, it did it almost every time those keys were played. It's extremely subtle, and probably the average player wouldn't even notice, but when it happens, it definitely makes those two keys' "thump" sound/feel subtly different than the 86 other keys.



That's good to know. My fear is that I'm just being paranoid at what someone else might deem a non-issue and waste a tech's time in coming out. But in paying so much for an instrument I enjoy and plan to keep for a long time, I just don't want anything to distract from my enjoyment of it. It's got a five year warranty, and I registered it with Yamaha right away, so I suppose there is no harm in checking in with my dealer to see the next best steps to keep it as a warranty claim so that I'm not charged. Thanks for the advice!

Hello judino28,

I have exactly the same issue with my CLP-685. After 6 months, I have heard the same crunchy / crispy sound on F4 key in the middle of the keyboard. It was random, now it is permanent after 1 year. I also have another similar noise on F3 now.

Did you find a solution ?

Honestly, as spring/summer arrived, it seems to have stopped doing it. So either it was weather related (I would imagine that the wooden keys are at least somewhat affected by hot/cold and humid/dry conditions that change with the weather and seasons) or I’ve just gotten used to it as I don’t notice it nearly as much.

It’s always on my “radar” but I’ve learned to just enjoy this beautiful instrument. If it gets worse, I’ll reassess the situation. I feel good knowing that I have the five year Yamaha warranty and I’m only about a year into owning the piano, so I know that I still have a lot of coverage to go.