Gear rental in Switzerland?

[habakkuk3178]

I have an opportunity on short notice to help with music for an event near Lausanne, Switzerland May 5-9. I have a Nord Electro 3 73 but would prefer not to fly with it, if possible. Anyone know of a reputable source to rent a similar keyboard in Switzerland? I'm from the U.S. and will fly into Geneva.

If I do need to travel with mine, it looks like I'll need a voltage converter based on what I see on the back of my board. I assumed it would handle European voltage natively, but the sticker near the power receptacle doesn't seem to indicate that.

[Merlimau]

Hallo habakkuk3178

On the back of my NS2 is written 230V~, 25W, 50/60Hz. So as you assume you need a voltage converter. The power plug is a 2 pole one. And you need a Swiss power cord or an adapter.


I’m not in the gig scene. So I don’t know rental store for keyboards. If you like I could ask around for a rent store.

Merlimau

[Mr_-G-]

Some Nords have a switch-able transformer inside. I believe the NS2 does, but I never opened it up.
You need to:
1. check if your model has this transformer switch (Pablo Mastodon might be able to confirm it).
2. open it up and change the switch manually. Obviously you should not connect the instrument at home anymore, until you arrive to Europe.
3. change the fuse (different voltages need different fuses). There are various posts in the forum about this (search for "fuse"). Get a few spares, just in case.
4. get a Europlug convertor (so you can convert the plug from your country to the Euro plug)
Something similar to this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5X-US-to-EU-A ... 0598105969
but be aware that the standard is not to have all the plug pin length with exposed metal as shown (dangerous if it is half-plugged), but only the tip, like in the attachment Merlimau posted.
These do NOT convert the voltage, only the plug shape. Alternatively (more expensive), get a cable like that one posted by Merlimau (called "2 pin Euro plug to C7").
5. *most important*: stick a note on the panel, so you do not forget to switch the voltage and fuse back when you returned home.

OR

Get a 230 to 110V transformer (not sure what is the US voltage is 110? 115?). Unfortunately those are heavy and buky, but you save all the hassle above.

OR

As you are already thinking, the easiest is to rent the instrument when you are there, less to carry around, less risk of breaking anything.