Yamaha DX7
This is another Yamaha of this type in my workshop – a true classic. This time, the display had to be replaced because the owner wanted to swap the original non-backlit LCD for a modern OLED display. There are several companies on the Internet selling so-called dedicated displays for specific instruments, but don’t be fooled. These are standard, off-the-shelf components worth about one-fifth of the price they are sold for by such companies.
In this case, the original display was replaced with a yellow OLED display, as requested by the owner. Additionally, the swollen CR2032 battery used to back up the RAM memory was replaced using a dedicated battery holder and a new coin cell. The faulty MIDI IN port was also repaired by reflowing every solder joint along the signal path from the connector to the microprocessor (including several board-to-board connectors), and the entire I/O board was cleaned in an ultrasonic cleaner.
Finally, the infamous SPARK KILLER capacitor was replaced, as it had already started to leak, had become slightly swollen, and would likely have become a fire hazard in the near future. What began as a simple display replacement ultimately turned into a more extensive repair, but the instrument was returned to its owner in excellent condition.
