Pitchstick calibration error

[maxpiano]

Is the assembly the same on a Stage2,does the pitchstick/mod wheel unit drop right into a Stage3? PCB connector looks similar,as are the four wires? Might have a temporary solution.Will I have to wait for a Stage3 pitchstick,or can I order one and install this Stage2 wheel and stick,virtually new to keep me up and running in the meantime?

Pitch Stick assembly and wiring is the same for all models of all NS series (according to my local Nord parts supplier website )

[LeftyBass68]

Thank you maxpiano and everyone else! Will install stick/wheel unit from Stage2 EX while waiting for new pitchstick for Stage3 Compact then! Now I realize why it was good to hang on to an extra 'Stage'.
First real issue I have encountered besides key contact dust.Syntaur and Full Compass list the part in the US.Might have to order from them if local Canadian distributor Ericson doesn't have them,which is most likely the case.

Anyone know the value of the little resistors tacked onto the pitchstick offhand? Can't quite make out the values or code numbers?

[maxpiano]

Thank you maxpiano and everyone else! Will install stick/wheel unit from Stage2 EX while waiting for new pitchstick for Stage3 Compact then! Now I realize why it was good to hang on to an extra 'Stage'.
First real issue I have encountered besides key contact dust.Syntaur and Full Compass list the part in the US.Might have to order from them if local Canadian distributor Ericson doesn't have them,which is most likely the case.

Anyone know the value of the little resistors tacked onto the pitchstick offhand? Can't quite make out the values or code numbers?

It is not a simple resistor but a strain gauge, but forget replacing it alone and/pr by DYI, you better buy a full new Pitchstick complete assembly.

PS: The Nord Pitch Stick is patented and in the patent document here you can see how it is built

[analogika]

Hlaalu, are you sure? I seem to remember that the problem in the early NS3 was the modulation wheel connector rather than the pitchstick (apologies if I am wrong).
If the pitchstick is "stuck" and you get bent notes constantly, you can just disable the PSTICK function on the panel for that program. You will probably need to replace the pitchstick (or get somebody to do that for you).

IIRC, the Mod wheel/pitch bend assembly connect to the logic board with a single connector.

The "pitch stick calibration error" problem on the early Stage 3 (including mine) was that vibration would cause this connector to jostle loose from the board, eventually breaking the connection.

The official warranty solution was to open up the nord, clip the connector off and solder the wires directly to the posts. Five-minute permanent fix.

[maxpiano]

Hlaalu, are you sure? I seem to remember that the problem in the early NS3 was the modulation wheel connector rather than the pitchstick (apologies if I am wrong).
If the pitchstick is "stuck" and you get bent notes constantly, you can just disable the PSTICK function on the panel for that program. You will probably need to replace the pitchstick (or get somebody to do that for you).

IIRC, the Mod wheel/pitch bend assembly connect to the logic board with a single connector.

Not exactly, the MW has its own connector while the PB has 4 wires directly soldered to the board (probably because, due to its design, it is critical to have perfect continuity of contacts).

PS: at least so it was up to NS2 (and I repaired one some time ago, see also this picture) and the part is sold without any connector so I presume it is still the same on NS3.

[LeftyBass68]

There are separate connectors for stick and wheel on this NS3C.The assembly of both is just as easy to swap,wheel connector is not soldered,but a snap in.The NS2 graciously supplied a temporary replacement pair.
Same connectors on both.

[LeftyBass68]

Rather than borrow the Stage2/EX pitchstick I waited a few days for the part.Syntaur shipped the day I bought it.So did JAM/Erikson.Unfortunate for JAM they replied a week after Syntaur!After suggesting i buy from Syntaur,Nord head guy Martin who called me from California,said he would check into availability from JAM.....and they replied after I purchased from Syntaur that one was available at a lower price than Syntaur.....total parts gong show.
When I called Quebec and got California......that takeover by DCC IE of JAM is a disaster since 2018.There is a switchboard to navigate when phoning that is purposely difficult.I keyed in MARTIN and got the head guy.....who dummied up about sevice call returns in Canada.It's like they took over and forgot about us up here.

Had absolutely no issues replacing the broken pitchstick.My issues are with service,or lack thereof!Great instrument with a really bad Canadian distributor.How bad?
They also market and sell Hercules Stands in Canada.When trying to buy a replacement part for a two tiered Z stand,the upper support guides that always fall out or break......they asked for the receipt of purchase.
I bought it used,and not selling me a replacement GUARANTEES I will never purchase a new one.Duh.......marketing bad by these clowns!Same outfit distributes Korg in Canada,never owned one and never will.

Nord,I like your products but your North American Distributor is really slow to answer service calls,even suggest I look elsewhere for parts.......from the head guy Martin!

[CountFosco]

Way to cut a short story long Lefty. Glad you're sorted.

[Lumserei]

The pitch stick seems to degrade a little more due to high humidity and heat and the resistance values change slightly. The Nords measure the center position during the boot process and set this as 0.
At some point this 0 is outside the permitted range, an error message appears and the stick is switched off to avoid detuning.
Now the stick can be pushed slightly away from the center during booting, the position at which the error message no longer appears represents the direction and amount of displacement. At the sensor there is 0V and 12V a resistor approx. 150K direction 0 or 12V shifts the center point back into the green area ... Attention the response is inverted -> lower voltage generates higher pitch

The two resistors 220K and 470K in parallel -> 150K do a shift to positive pitch in that position (the 4 wires to the sensor are already directly soldered to the board, please ignore the capacitor, it did not improve anything, there was a ripple in the voltage)

[Mr. Marko]

I have replaced several pitch sticks on many of my Nords over the years...they only take so much abuse.

The tricky part is the close proximity of the four solder points on the circuit board.

I try to always have a spare on had in my parts bin.

Easy enough to swap - but go slow and don't go wild with the heat level on your iron.