Ensoniq ESP 16+ single sticky key (resolved)

[part12studios]

Hi everyone,

I have managed to luck into a used Ensoniq ESP 16+ it's in great shape (other than dusty) and the bottom C note is kinda sticky.. it works it just doesn't bounce back as quickly..

I know I could open it up to service it and I may do that, but before I risk opening it up and maybe doing more harm than good, anyone know if an issue like that could be fixed with the case still closed?

I'm skeptical that it will be that easy, but maybe i can just squirt something up somewhere to loosen it up without hurting anything else.

I'm learning how it works. Neat sampler even with it being floppy based and no resonance/Q.. it seems like late 80's / early 90's samplers and synths seemed to think Q was out of style or something.. heh.

Thanks!
Caleb

[Hyde]

4 screws & the top opens up. You should be able to get a good look inside at that point to see whats going on.
Do some digging around this guys' channel.

[part12studios]

That's awesome thanks! Yea that's great. Looks like it opens up pretty nicely. Thank you Ensoniq! I'll have to video my cleaning.. i forget to record things i do sometimes..

[part12studios]

I got the 4 screws out but it feels like it's stuck on something.. not wanting to force it but i posted a question to the guy in that video to see what he knows. It lifts up about a half inch before catching on something inside. I've applied firm pressure but obviously nothing that might potentially snap something plastic.. i'm going to video my progress to make a how to on this..

[Rasputin]

I got the 4 screws out but it feels like it's stuck on something.. not wanting to force it but i posted a question to the guy in that video to see what he knows. It lifts up about a half inch before catching on something inside. I've applied firm pressure but obviously nothing that might potentially snap something plastic.. i'm going to video my progress to make a how to on this..

I don't know if you've resolved this, but the top panel of Ensoniq stuff tends to need a little "shimmy" or flex to free itself from being pinched at the sides of the lid. One strategy is to free the lid one side at a time. Just firmly grab one side and pull and wiggle until it comes up an inch or two then repeat on the other side. After that the top should swing free.

Another possibility is that the sampler has flexed enough that the lid hinge is slightly bent which, again, requires a bit of "convincing" to free.

[part12studios]

@rasputin you were dead on with this.. ok so the first time i opened it i ended up removing all 12 screws along it to get to it.. this was obviously overkill but it worked and i got in there to fix the stuck key, which really seemed like little more than just getting some dust out because it got unstuck without doing much of anything..

but back to the point i got it all back together and realized a ribbon was still disconnected and i had to reopen it.. i was like.. "h**l no i'm not undoing all those screws" and applied a little more pressure and sure enough it "popped" free and was good to go.

Thanks!
Caleb