I cannot believed now my psr-s700, which I barely used after being gently handled(special case,care, few hours playing), start giving me issues, speakers started buzzing(a hiss noise)and had to take it to the shop, to make my story short, It was purchased less than 3 months, I used maybe 4 times and labor warranty had already expired for 2 days(92 days old), I called yamaha several times and they gave a 2 days labor extension warranty, labor for this puppy is 65 per hour. You may think it's not that high, the problem is I used my keyboards to do charitable service at my church, what about if they claim after repairs they spent 12 hours fixing it? I found a big sign in the yamaha repair shop saying "have a backup", so we have suppose to spend thousands to have at least 1 backup unit only because yamaha unreliability? the good part is they make me wait 3-4 weeks, I could die by then.

Say Super, what does this have to do with the S900?

I'm sorry you had trouble. I have had nothing but stellar performance and reliability from the three Yamaha arrangers I have owned over a ten year period. Amazingly reliable.

I do have also a PSR-S900 and a KORG PA500. PSR-S900 started acting funny until updated latest OS. I can make a huge list of complains regarding PSR-S700/S900, so please do make start it. I have owned yamahas s30, s80, motif rack es, motif es 6, yamaha dgx-505 and all the PLG boards. never had an issue with them. I guess chinese materials are the ones to blame...

His complaints about shotty construction of the S-700 without a doubt apply to the S-900. They're the same bloody shell, and components (minus a few hardware items). However, they're the same keyboard in terms of construction. So his complaints about the S-700 clearly apply..., plus he has the S-900 too and had issues with it (OS related that is).

This isn't something new. Members have been complaining about poor build quality of the PSR line for years now.

Yamaha makes some great sounding keyboards. The PSR line S-700/900 have good sounds and many useful features. The problem is Yamaha has been stingy on the build quality of the PSR line. I can't even count how many times this issue has come up on the Zone about button contacts failing, key contacts failing, ect.




[This message has been edited by squeak_D (edited 05-12-2009).]

Me too, I've had zero problems with my S900, which was actually one of the very early production models.

Having said that, there were a few reported problems here on SZ, which Yamaha took care of very well.

I always have a backup...if you play a lot, especially if you're a pro and gigging a lot, it's a good idea to have the spare.

Doesn't even have to be a keyboard failure...someone could knock it off the stand,or spill a drink in it...or it could even be stolen.

Ian

I give Yamaha credit in how they take care of their customers with keyboard issues. They do go above and beyond to keep their customer base happy. Steve Deming watches this forum often..., and when I needed help Steve Deming was there.

That was cool of Yamaha to pay for the labor even though the keyboard was out of warranty.

I had one warranty issue that came up after I owned the keyboard (and played it heavily) for almost two years. Because I paid for the board with Mastercard, they extended the parts part of the warranty from 12 months to 24 months. So I was reimbursed for a $350 part and only had to pay the $85 labor.

Always have a backup if you are a serious musician.

And yeah, the S900 and S700 are not built like tanks. They are a good value though.

Beakybird

Steve Deming called me on a stupid question I asked of Yamaha when I got my first Yamaha, a psr740. That was good PR. Of course, this was in ages passed... 1999. I'm not stuck to Yamaha, I am just saying that I have had good value and good service. And I like their easy operating system.

We have Ben Harrison, and Omar Ales here in Canada regarding any arranger keyboard issues...both great guys and always willing to go the extra bit.

Ian

I have two S900 use it every day & night never a problem......most timee its user error .........S900 is a solid winner without a doubt!