|
Author
|
Comment
|
catboy
Regular
Posts: 11
(10/05/05 10:11 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
factory recall of all S90es units...
extract from note to Yamaha dealers:
October 3, 2005
Re: Product Safety Alert - Yamaha Synthesizer, Model S90ES
Yamaha products have a long tradition of high quality and durability, and we have helped set the standard in the industry for quality control. Besides quality and technical innovation, one of Yamaha’s other corporate values is being a good corporate citizen, which means adhering to the highest standards in safety and environmental compliance.
Our records indicate that you have purchased the Yamaha Synthesizer, model S90 ES. Yamaha has learned that, on some units, the integrated circuit may not function properly under certain use conditions, which can result in possible damage to the user’s ear. Specifically, when the power is turned off and then quickly turned on in a high temperature environment, the synthesizer may emit a loud noise. This potential issue was identified during internal product testing, and we have had no complaints concerning this issue.
We have already temporarily stopped shipment of these synthesizers and you should immediately stop all sales to end users, and return all S90 ES in your inventory (including floor models), so that we may repair or replace these units. We are going to make this process for dealers as painless and smooth as we can. We will be providing you with a pre-approved RMA number, and you can use either Watkins or ABF to ship the units freight collect to our Buena Park warehouse. We plan to be able to replace your stock (again at no charge to you) by the end of October.
We anticipate that, in the near future, we will also recall these synthesizers from consumers. We therefore request that you determine the number of S90 ES that you have sold, and collect the names, addresses and phone numbers of all end user purchasers, so that we can communicate with them directly to arrange for the replacement or repair of their units as well. This end user information is critical, and we ask your cooperation in assembling data as soon as possible. We will be cooperating with the Consumer Product Safety Commission in structuring this recall, and no consumer recall has yet begun.
We ask for your help in resolving this important issue quickly and efficiently and apologize for the inconvenience and time this will take you. However, we feel that we must take these proactive steps to maintain the level of quality control that the market has come to expect from Yamaha.
Sincerely,
Tom Sumner
Vice President & General Manager
Pro Audio and Combo Division
Post Extras:
|
catboy
Regular
Posts: 11
(10/05/05 10:17 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
I returned my unit a couple of weeks ago for "missing notes", which I now realize from others' posts is the envelope-robbing bug. Yamaha tech support, at the time, thought it was a physical problem with keybed contacts or similar.
My sales guy called me yesterday to tell me this recall news with no date from Yamaha, at present, when units will become available again. He sent me the email contents today.
It's curious that there's no mention of the envelope-robbing problem. Is it officially recognized as a bug or is it, in Microsoft-speak, considered a "feature"?
Post Extras:
|
catboy
Regular
Posts: 11
(10/05/05 02:20 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
update: there is no note-robbing bug.
Post Extras:
|
Markyboard
Regular
Posts: 11
(10/05/05 02:27 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
Go practice your trills catboy.
edit - oops(embarassed)- I thought this recall business was someone trolling . My apologies to Catboy.
Edited by Markyboard (10/05/05 04:32 PM)
Post Extras:
|
rr
Newcomer
Posts: 2
(10/05/05 04:16 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
Is there a serial# cutoff where the GOOD units are?
I'm thinking of purchasing one this week. Should I wait
till October? How do I test mine to see if it has a problem?
Thanks for your help
Post Extras:
|
dan88z
Regular
Posts: 15
(10/05/05 08:04 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
Does anyone think this is really an issue that has to be fixed? I mean, who quickly turns of and on their unit in an extreme temperature environment? I suppose a power blip could do it but I think this would be a highly irregular situation.
Post Extras:
|
alogie
Guru
Posts: 2111
Loc: Sacramento, CA
(10/06/05 05:32 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
In reply to:
I mean, who quickly turns of and on their unit in an extreme temperature environment? I suppose a power blip could do it but I think this would be a highly irregular situation.
On stage? Arizona? 
If the sound is loud enough to potentially damage someone's hearing, then its probably worth fixing. *cough* lawsuits *cough* if nothing else...
Alistair
Post Extras:
|
catboy
Regular
Posts: 11
(10/06/05 09:26 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
the dealer for my s90es, musiciansbuy in FL, said yamaha has stopped shipping any units from the factory until they get the fix for this problem implemented on their (yamaha) stock and is recalling all units from dealers. They also said this is not a recall of delivered-to-consumer units yet. In a quick search of online music dealers, I didn't see any that said they had units in stock.
Post Extras:
|
catboy
Regular
Posts: 11
(10/06/05 09:55 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
We will be cooperating with the Consumer Product Safety Commission in structuring this recall...
it must be a LOUD sound when it happens!
Post Extras:
|
catboy
Regular
Posts: 11
(10/06/05 10:18 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
just spoke with yamaha synth tech support:
(he seemed cautious about talking at first but then opened up)
Yamaha has confirmed that under unusual circumstances (very hot ambient, turning power off and on repeatedly), the headphone output (he didn't say the main outs) can produce a very loud, hearing-damaging sound. The problem is with a particular integrated circuit that has to be replaced to remedy the defect.
Yamaha expects to have all in-factory and dealer stock units fixed by around the end of this month and resume shipping (fixed) units to dealers early next month.
Recall of problem units already in customer hands will start soon and might even be on an advanced replacement basis (they ship you a new unit first then you return the old one!).
Post Extras:
|
adamk
Regular
Posts: 13
(10/06/05 11:30 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
I got two out-of-the-blue phone calls from both a Sweetwater Sound tech and then my Sweetwater sales rep on Monday regarding this recall. They informed me that Yamaha would be shipping directly to me a brand new unit, with paperwork for returning the "old" unit at no cost to me. I was very surprised to hear about this issue, but I am glad that it's getting taken care of. And I was happy to know that the people at Sweetwater were quick at relaying the concern to me... I know of a number of musical instrument stores around here and in other places that probably wouldn't have done a thing about it unless pressured by Yamaha to do so. Sweetwater said Yamaha would have a new unit out to me within 5-10 business days, but perhaps that is a little ambitious if Yamaha won't have the problem completely resolved before the end of October?
Post Extras:
|
Markyboard
Regular
Posts: 11
(10/06/05 01:50 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
WHAT? DID YOU GUYS SAY SOMETHING? I CAN'T HEAR A DAMN THING!!!
Edited by Markyboard (10/06/05 01:51 PM)
Post Extras:
|
ghostclaws
Guru
Posts: 507
(10/06/05 09:07 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
Hate to say it, but it sounds so much like trolling to me. Guess I got to give a call to my sales guy and to Yamaha tomorrow.
Can somebody official on this site come out and confirm this recall just to clear the air a little bit?
If it's real, what a hassle! I just picked up my board Monday!
For crying out loud!
GC
PS: Catboy: It's not that I don't believe in what you said, but it does sound suspicious. I scoured the net and searched with various combination of words but have so far come up empty-handed about such a recall!
If it turns out to be true, I apologize in advance!
Post Extras:
|
miden
Guru
Posts: 527
(10/06/05 09:09 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
hi ghost, yep it's true got a call from the music shop i bought mine from and they said Yamaha would be in contact with me to arrange the recall...so its happening in Oz too
cheers
dennis
Post Extras:
|
ghostclaws
Guru
Posts: 507
(10/06/05 09:28 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
<<...On stage? Arizona? ...>>
Why the heck would you plug your headphone directly into your board on stage, lol?
Does that mean it's safer to play the new board on stage in Vancouver (Canada), we hardly ever make it over 90 degrees, not even in the midst of summer!
GC
Edited by ghostclaws (10/06/05 09:29 PM)
Post Extras:
|
ghostclaws
Guru
Posts: 507
(10/07/05 04:11 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
I called my sales guy today. He put in a call to Yammy Canada rep but he hasn't heard back from her.
He also has not received any faxes or communication from Yammy Canada regarding this issue.
Maybe the slow layback Canuck syndrome! eh?
GC
Post Extras:
|
Acts7
Guru
Posts: 2603
Loc: Somewhere above the Stratosphere
(10/07/05 10:22 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
hey Ghost - I went into G.C. at 1pm today. Was excited to see the new s90es and my sales guy that I always deal with told me he'd let me test drive it... but then he had to tear it down because of an issue with the output jacks creating a potentially ear-damaging sound. After I was done he had to tear it down and send it back to yammy.
Said their yammy rep didnt expect to have the replacement models in stock till - MID - NOVEMBER!
.......... to my audience of ONE ................
Post Extras:
|
MrMotif
Major Dude
Posts: 666
(10/07/05 10:42 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
This is not an official announcement but yes, we do understand that a recall is presently being conducted.
From what we have heard this is a first for Yamaha, and they are only doing this because they are extremely careful and do not wish in any way to cause people problems down the line.
We believe that the recall is related to fairly extreme (as in 'unlikely') operating conditions. But all credit to Yamaha for doing what must obviously be the difficult and costly, albeit 'right' thing.
As we understand it, the fault has already been corrected on current production models and the relatively small number of customers with models that are affected are being contacted direct.
We will keep SNinety.com viewers fully informed as information becomes available to us.
So, no need for panic. Just one of those annoying things that all companies, from Ford to GM on down, have to deal with from time to time.
We are sure that Yamaha will do the right thing for affected customers and will make it up to them somehow for this temporary inconvenience.
MM
PS And in case anyone was wondering, the S90ES is an abolsutely stupendous keyboard. We are genuinely bowled over by it here at SNinety.com and hope that this issue will not affect people's long-term enjoyment of the instrument.
Post Extras:
|
ghostclaws
Guru
Posts: 507
(10/07/05 11:24 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
Thanks guys for the information.
Catboy: I must apologize to you for mistaking your post as a troll! A deep felt sorry!
GC
Post Extras:
|
newguy
Guru
Posts: 3335
(10/08/05 04:37 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
The Yamaha folks must be sick over this. I work in the Car Biz, and while we have a bit more complexity than a keyboard, no one like these things. The good news is that problems like this are most often at the component manufacturing level - not a fundamental design or engineering issue.
Some vendor probably substitued one of the board-level components with a "functional" equivalent part.
I'll say this, you know you are dealing with a quality company when these issues are found - and then addressed quickly. It means there is testing taking place by the company (not by you and me) to monitor the manufacturing quality.
Bob
Post Extras:
|
joru
Regular
Posts: 13
(10/08/05 07:02 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
I got my S90ES two weeks ago, today I got a call from my local yamaha dealer; they will send it back. I dont knew if they will fix my unit or if I will get new one, or how long time it will take.
Johan Östersund Sweden
Post Extras:
|
catboy
Regular
Posts: 11
(10/10/05 01:42 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
Not sure how trolling (it that a Canadian thing?) might be related to my note but 's OK! :]
I couldn't find anything on the web about the recall either (like the news section of yamahasynth.com, for instance...) so I called Yamaha tech support direct to get the real Buena Park poop on the scoop, so to speak.
Post Extras:
|
miden
Guru
Posts: 527
(10/10/05 04:26 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
i think its great that yammi are being very proactive in this problem..even though its an extreme longshot that it will ever be a "realworld" issue, they are fixing it..well done!!!
but to label the "note robbing" thing (and i dont believe it robs anything!!) a bug or problem, is another matter, after all yammi did this (adjusted the envelope) as a result of user suggestions, and to be perfectly honest the ONLY way i can get anything to vary in sound is by doing the exact exercise listed by others, i mean i play midi files using 15 channels AND my live keyboard in some instances, and NEVER does this "problem" appear, so really i cannot understand the fuss..this is a super keyboard, one of the best i have owned. my list of keyboard "credits" is large, (coz i'm a real "gear junky")  and this rates way up the top.
cheers
dennis
Post Extras:
|
vanilla_skies
Regular
Posts: 20
(10/10/05 06:49 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
Hey Dennis,
I do agree with you that the s90es is a great board and i'm not trying to be over-critical here, but as i said in another thread, i feel that the explanantion given by Yamaha didn't really make sense, as we now hav cut offs after 4 notes instead of 17 or in the es case, more than that if sticking with the old archeticture...plus the '4 note limit' only seems to affect certain voices on the s90es so thats kind of confusing...and if you check motifator, there are/were zero threads addressing this issue in the past...but maybe as some hav stated, it wont affect them, but it could be annoying for some...ie using the pedal and doing a repeating chord figure with the left hand accenting the first beats...
Post Extras:
|
miden
Guru
Posts: 527
(10/10/05 08:42 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
hey VS,
yeah you are right saying that...i was meaning more from my perspective that it wasn't really an issue, but for others and depending on what they are doing i can see it would cause some heartache...
dennis
Post Extras:
|
ghostclaws
Guru
Posts: 507
(10/11/05 07:20 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
I just received an email from Yamaha Canada which stated that the factory recall of S90ES DOES NOT affect any units shipped to Canada.
The following is an excerpt from the email:
"...Yes there has been a serious defective problem with S90Es that has been pinpointed to our firs 2 shipments world wide. However this issue does NOT affect Canada. We were not shipped these defective units fortunately. This problem however does effect S90ES’s sent to the US, and it will be taken care of swiftly and efficiently.
Once again please be assured that S90 ES is fine in Canada. Yamaha is truly sorry for this mishap and is committed to making awesome, solid product..."
Hope the above info is helpful!
GC
Post Extras:
|
dj CRH
Regular
Posts: 22
Loc: Canada, Quebec
(10/11/05 05:22 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
OH YES it is.
I was a bit scared if my S90es was about to be a buggy one, but looks like I was wrong.
Thanks for the great news.
Post Extras:
|
vag
Regular
Posts: 15
Loc: Athens, Greece
(10/12/05 04:11 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
I Can confirm that defect items hit Europe as well. My brand new, two-week-old S90 ES has just been recalled by my local dealer, based in Athens Greece.
The tech guys knew nothing about a serial number cutoff. They called me up after "they have received the replacement circuit-part from yamaha". They were not sure if mine has the defect or not, but they claimed that "they will hook the es on the computer and find out if the circuit causing the problem must be replaced or not".
I am not sure if this is precise though. Can they really run such a health-check through a computer link?
Ah, the tech guy also said that the problem DOES not affect headphone output only, but all audio outputs.
This means that the eardrum breaking sound may not affect your own ears, but others too.. or at least your PA system.
----------
Vag
Post Extras:
|
rr
Newcomer
Posts: 2
(10/12/05 08:47 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
Sam Ash is sending me the S90ES tomorrow and they
said they do not know anything about the recall.
I told them to ship it anyway and maybe I can resolve
the matter with Yamaha myself. At least I can play with
the unit for awhile. Does anyone know the number to
contact Yamaha directly? Thanks
Post Extras:
|
vag
Regular
Posts: 15
Loc: Athens, Greece
(10/13/05 01:02 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
Hi rr,
I would suggest you use Yamaha service locator (based on your zip here
Regards
----------
Vag
Post Extras:
|
SQOES
Newcomer
Posts: 2
(10/16/05 01:01 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units...
I'm almost sure my S90ES suffered from this issue yesterday, ...on stage, during soundcheck.
It happened without any intervention from me, i was even not playing at the time it happened. So, no on-off switching, no extreme temperatures (nice 20C outdoor). The sound engineer suspected a wrong output on my powermixer towards the PA but i could see the levelmeters on my mixer going all the way up in the red (this means the deafening noise was on the inputs of the powermixer)! During the performance, no further problems occured (i also sent another output to the PA but i doubt this has anything to do with it).
I can assure the noise can damage your ears and also the PA equipment! The powermixer i use as monitor even went in mute, safety mode (after a couple of seconds deafening noise).
I will contact my dealer. I bought my board in Germany about a month ago.
Another issue I experienced already is unexpected sustain (malfunctioning of the pedal). Maybe the pedal itself was malfunctioning. However, the same pedal is working fine now again...
Post Extras:
|
vag
Regular
Posts: 15
Loc: Athens, Greece
(10/24/05 05:29 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units. FEEDBACK?
Hi all,
I hate to bring this matter up again, but I was wondering if anyone has any feedback at all on the factory recall? Has anyone of the S90 ES users had their piece recalled and check-out and/or fixed? Is it as-good-as-new?
I'm supposed to pick up mine tomorrow, and the technicians on the phone have confirmed that they had to replace some circuitry on the main board of the instrument, having to do with voltage management.
What is your feedback on this one?
I fear that after some soldering the circuitry has definitely been tampered with.
Will this affect the overall performance and sound quality of the instrument?
What would you advice me, to accept my instrument back, or claim a replacement from the new problem-free lot?
Regards
----------
Vag
Post Extras:
|
joru
Regular
Posts: 13
(10/24/05 09:16 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units. FEEDBACK?
Hi Vag
My local yamaha dealer told me today that I will get a brand new unit, and that I will receive some kind of kompensation. Still no information how long I have to be without my instrument.
Regards / Johan
Post Extras:
|
gdeyoung
Newcomer
Posts: 2
(11/09/05 07:35 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units. FEEDBACK?
I purchased my S90ES from Guitar Center in August. I recieved my notice in the mail from Yamaha yesterday about the product safety return of my S90ES. They asked me to contact them on an 800 number or by e-mail to arrange a return of the keyboard. They promised to send me a brand new unit within one week of the receipt of my keyboard. For my inconvenience, if I return it by December 15, they will extend the warranty from the original one year to two years. They also will include discounts offers on other Yamaha products.
Post Extras:
|
BobK
Regular
Posts: 30
Loc: Oakland, CA
(11/11/05 11:59 AM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units. FEEDBACK?
I got the same letter from Yamaha a few days ago. I spoke with the contact person, and she was helpful. They're sending a new shipping box (the original ones weren't strong enough for return shipping), then schedule UPS pickup once I've packed it. Then they send a replacement.
Since I'm not using my S90ES daily right now (gigs are slow, I have an old synth I can use, and I have an acoustic piano to practice on), I don't mind the down time. If I were using it a lot, I'd be frustrated at not being able to do an in-store exchange.
Overall, I'm satisfied and impressed with the way they're handling this.
Bob K
Post Extras:
|
BarryG
Regular
Posts: 37
Loc: West of Boston
(12/15/05 12:36 PM)
Edit - Reply
|
Re: factory recall of all S90es units. FEEDBACK?
Just received my replacement. Other than being without my keyboard for a week and a half (because the replacement had to travel clear across the country), and having to pack the old and unpack the new, this was about as painless a process as it could have been. I appreciate the work that went into this from Yamaha's side; their contact person, Susan, was especially helpful. I also appreciate that they cared enough about product quality to initiate the replacement program.
S90ES, PSR2100, Motu UltraLite, SE3, Windows XP
Post Extras:
|
|
|
Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | (show all)
|
