Second-hand PSR E433 without the Live knobs

[vbdx66]

Hi everyone,

I have been looking for a second, more portable keyboard for quite some time now.

I just found a second-hand PSR E433 for € 100 not far away from where I am living.

Only issue, the two Live knobs are missing. Can they easily be replaced and is it worth it ?

Regards,

Vinciane.

[SeaGtGruff]

I think you can buy replacement knobs for keyboards and synths; I once saw an online ad from a company that made knobs of various colors. I just searched Bing for "buy replacement knobs for yamaha keyboards" and got numerous results. Or you can search Google or whichever other search engine you prefer.

[SeaGtGruff]

I found replacement rotary knobs for PSR-E403 through PSR-E443 at Syntaur:

https://syntaur.com/yamaha_psr.html

It's down the page a bit and is listed as part #3456. It's also listed on the page for the YPT models, which are the "export" versions of the PSR-E line:

https://syntaur.com/yamaha_ypt.html

There are also several replacement knobs at Full Compass, and the ones for the MX49 and MX61 look like they might fit, otherwise the ones for the MM6 might fit (there's a slight difference in the contour of the hole on the bottom side). Full Compass lists the Yamaha part number, so I could check a service manual to see what the correct part number is.

http://www.fullcompass.com/prod/520489-Yamaha-ZA949300

http://www.fullcompass.com/prod/210899-Yamaha-V560380R

Okay, I checked the service manual for the PSR-E443, and it lists the Yamaha part number as V560380R, so at the Full Compass site it's the last link above, for the MM6.

[vbdx66]

Thanks for the info Michael.

I am still making my mind. The only think which makes me hesitate against the PSR E453 is because I liked the keybed of the E433 so much,  but when I am considering all the goodies on the E453 (more styles, more patterns, Aux In, Audio USB, Sweet! Trombone and Sweet! Classical flute, ability to upload 10 styles instead of 5...), I'll probably go for the E453 or the S670 if it comes out at a bargain price.

A nice Sunday to you,

Best Regards,

Vinciane.

[pquenin]

@Vinciane : don't forget that I have a PSR-E453 ready for you ;-)

[vbdx66]

@pequenin:

Yes, thanks, I haven't made up my mind yet.

Regards,

Vinciane.

[pquenin]

@Vinciane : if the PSR-S670 I have bought on Leboncoin arrive, I can sell you the E453 for 180 € because it's thanks to you if I have bought the S670.
My E453 is on Leboncoin : https://www.leboncoin.fr/instruments_de_musique/1406350730.htm/?ca=22_s
And also on Audiofanzine : https://fr.audiofanzine.com/clavier-arrangeur/yamaha/psr-e453/petites-annonces/i.1463942.html

[AnupamEnosh]

Keeping apart the keybed, E453 is definitely a better choice than E433 in all aspects. Honestly speaking, if given a chance to choose between them, I would not go for E433.

[vbdx66]

@AnupamEnosh:

What do you think of the PSR E453 keybed as, for instance, compared to that of the E433 or E343? I just loved both these keybed.

Problem is, it is difficult for me to go to a music shop to try the E453 for myself right now, so I have to rely on other people impressions.

Best Regards,

Vinciane.

[vbdx66]

@pequenin:

Thanks for your offer, I am sending you a private message 

Regards,

Vinciane.

[AnupamEnosh]

Ma'am the keys make more clicking sound, the oscillation spring back period of keys is greater, the keys literally feel much lighter, and sadly not to hide it, you might end up damaging the keys if you are extreme rough player. The keys seem to be like sticking up to the fingers, you might not feel great playing the melodies. The keys are developing scratches easily, though it is not visible. But the only good thing I can mention is that, these are dust proof. I mean they are still shining even after six months of purchase.

[vbdx66]

Sir,

What you are telling me makes me hesitating again. The PSR E453 has great features but I am still hesitating to buy it because of its apparently mediocre keybed. What you are saying about playing melodies worries me. I want to buy a second keyboard to play, among other things, my own compositions, so it is a problem if it is difficult to play melodies on it. I especially liked to play melodies with the Sweet! Voices of the PSR E433, like Sweet! Soprano Saxophone and Sweet! Trumpet.

I once tried the PSR E443 in a shop some time ago and completely disliked it, it looked cheaply built and I didn't  like the keybed at all. I hope that the E453 keybed is better.

I attach to this message a tune I recorded with the PSR E433 a few years ago. It is called « One Night in Paris » and was recorded live with Audacity.

Best Regards,

Vinciane.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[pquenin]

Woaw, the way AnupamEnosh describe the E453's keybed can let you think it's one of the worst experience you can have with a keyboard. It's not the case, I often play rapid distorded guitar melodies all over the keyboard and everything is just fine. But I have never owned earlier keyboards from Yamaha, so I can't compare to older models such as the E433.
@Vinciane : maybe you can find somebody that can take you to a music store and see by yourself ?

[AnupamEnosh]

Nope, I am not conferring it to be the worst, but at the same time it is a lot different than the regular keybed used in organ style keyboards.

[pquenin]

Ok, I have to get used to the idea that arranger keyboards must be regarded as organ rather than synths.

[vbdx66]

Well, not quite actually. The main difference between organ on one side and synthesisers and arrangers on the other side is that synths and arrangers have touch sensitive keys, sometimes even after touch. So I would say that synths and arrangers are more likely to have the same type of keybed than regular organs.

That said, obviously higher-end instruments will have better keybed than lower-end ones.

In the past, Yamaha was well-known to have better-built instruments even in the lower range of keyboards, as opposed for instance to Casio. Unfortunately, lately, I got the impression that Yamaha has been trying to cut costs down on its lower-end instruments, not on features because chips are cheap nowadays, but on keybed and general build quality.

Just my 2 cents,

Regards,

Vinciane