Uploaded December 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
This is episode three in the Polysix restoration series. In this episode, I disassemble, clean and refurbish the keybed. Next I remove all the controls from the front panel, clean and refurbish them, then make the modifications required for the Kiwisix retrofit.
The very first synthesizer I ever bought, back in 1987, was a Korg Polysix. These venerable synths have a monster sound, but time is not kind to their inner electronics. In this video series, I will take a nonfunctional Polysix with severe internal damage and make it better than new, bringing modern capabilities, MIDI, and better quality sound while retaining what makes the PolySix so special! Join me on this restoration journey.
Polysix Restoration Episode 1: youtube.com/watch?v=w7xSVRn_ptc
Polysix Restoration Episode 2: youtube.com/watch?v=fZUm2OaaAPg
Polysix Restoration Episode 3: youtube.com/watch?v=zkCY7ygsWek
Polysix Restoration Episode 4: youtube.com/watch?v=Hb-BbjQvr4s
Polysix Restoration Episode 5: youtube.com/watch?v=yvufr7siFRs
Polysix Restoration Episode 6: youtube.com/watch?v=eKCCYIqS5KQ
JD-800 Restoration Video: youtube.com/watch?v=23T7WGZgzJk
SH-101 Restoration Video: youtube.com/watch?v=23T7WGZgzJk
Poly-800 Restoration Video: youtube.com/watch?v=FXJFF97_sDc
Polysix Replacement Case: reverb.grsm.io/Polysix-Chassis
Polysix Rubber Contacts: reverb.grsm.io/Polysix-Contacts
Transformer: mouser.com/ProductDetail/553-VPT36-2780
Kiwisix Upgrades: kiwitechnics.com/kiwisix.htm
CaiKote 44: amzn.to/3Q0S3cv
Spark Arresting Capacitor: mouser.com/ProductDetail/80-R474I233050A1KV57
Toroidal Transformer: mouser.com/ProductDetail/553-VPT36-2780
Tools:
Anhydrous Isopropyl Alcohol: amzn.to/3FYcfag
Pro Honda Spray Cleaner: amzn.to/3YN7Ak5
3M Spray Adhesive: amzn.to/3mg87wF
Vessel JIS Screwdrivers: amzn.to/3hN1RKE
Desoldering Pump: amzn.to/40bh8Vu
Soldering Station: amzn.to/3ofPgCz
DeOxit D5 Contact Cleaner: amzn.to/3mIihpT
DeOxit F5 Fader Cleaner: amzn.to/3KGZ8Nj
Rigol DS1054Z Oscilloscope: amzn.to/3VghKIw
Thermal (infrared) camera: amzn.to/3XbEIRk
0:00 Intro
0:18 Keybed Overview
1:44 Disassembling the Keybed
3:00 Rubber Contacts
5:18 Cleaning the Gold Pads
7:07 Cleaning the Keybed
10:07 Installing New Contacts
11:31 Reassembling Keybed
13:08 Disassembling Front Panel
16:45 Cleaning Switchboard
17:11 Replacing Tactile Switches
20:55 Cleaning Switches & Potentiometers
23:25 Kiwisix Modifications to Control Board
28:02 Kiwisix Modifications to Switch Board
32:33 Reassembling Front Panel
33:40 Summary & What's Next
#Korg #Polysix #Kiwisix
This is episode three in the Polysix restoration series. In this episode, I disassemble, clean and refurbish the keybed. Next I remove all the controls from the front panel, clean and refurbish them, then make the modifications required for the Kiwisix retrofit.
The very first synthesizer I ever bought, back in 1987, was a Korg Polysix. These venerable synths have a monster sound, but time is not kind to their inner electronics. In this video series, I will take a nonfunctional Polysix with severe internal damage and make it better than new, bringing modern capabilities, MIDI, and better quality sound while retaining what makes the PolySix so special! Join me on this restoration journey.
Polysix Restoration Episode 1: youtube.com/watch?v=w7xSVRn_ptc
Polysix Restoration Episode 2: youtube.com/watch?v=fZUm2OaaAPg
Polysix Restoration Episode 3: youtube.com/watch?v=zkCY7ygsWek
Polysix Restoration Episode 4: youtube.com/watch?v=Hb-BbjQvr4s
Polysix Restoration Episode 5: youtube.com/watch?v=yvufr7siFRs
Polysix Restoration Episode 6: youtube.com/watch?v=eKCCYIqS5KQ
JD-800 Restoration Video: youtube.com/watch?v=23T7WGZgzJk
SH-101 Restoration Video: youtube.com/watch?v=23T7WGZgzJk
Poly-800 Restoration Video: youtube.com/watch?v=FXJFF97_sDc
Polysix Replacement Case: reverb.grsm.io/Polysix-Chassis
Polysix Rubber Contacts: reverb.grsm.io/Polysix-Contacts
Transformer: mouser.com/ProductDetail/553-VPT36-2780
Kiwisix Upgrades: kiwitechnics.com/kiwisix.htm
CaiKote 44: amzn.to/3Q0S3cv
Spark Arresting Capacitor: mouser.com/ProductDetail/80-R474I233050A1KV57
Toroidal Transformer: mouser.com/ProductDetail/553-VPT36-2780
Tools:
Anhydrous Isopropyl Alcohol: amzn.to/3FYcfag
Pro Honda Spray Cleaner: amzn.to/3YN7Ak5
3M Spray Adhesive: amzn.to/3mg87wF
Vessel JIS Screwdrivers: amzn.to/3hN1RKE
Desoldering Pump: amzn.to/40bh8Vu
Soldering Station: amzn.to/3ofPgCz
DeOxit D5 Contact Cleaner: amzn.to/3mIihpT
DeOxit F5 Fader Cleaner: amzn.to/3KGZ8Nj
Rigol DS1054Z Oscilloscope: amzn.to/3VghKIw
Thermal (infrared) camera: amzn.to/3XbEIRk
0:00 Intro
0:18 Keybed Overview
1:44 Disassembling the Keybed
3:00 Rubber Contacts
5:18 Cleaning the Gold Pads
7:07 Cleaning the Keybed
10:07 Installing New Contacts
11:31 Reassembling Keybed
13:08 Disassembling Front Panel
16:45 Cleaning Switchboard
17:11 Replacing Tactile Switches
20:55 Cleaning Switches & Potentiometers
23:25 Kiwisix Modifications to Control Board
28:02 Kiwisix Modifications to Switch Board
32:33 Reassembling Front Panel
33:40 Summary & What's Next
#Korg #Polysix #Kiwisix
