Take 5: Key Replacement Guide


Removing and/or replacing a key in the Take 5 is easy and only requires a screwdriver and a pair of needle nose pliers.

Tools needed: Phillips head screwdriver, needle nose pliers.

Getting inside the Take 5:

1. First, unplug all power/MIDI/USB/audio cables.

2. Flip the Take 5 upside down onto something soft, such as a strip of bubble wrap or a towel.

3. There are three screws on each side securing the plastic end caps to the bottom metalwork. Remove these screws and lift the sides up and out to free them.

Take 5 Bottom Screws

4.  Flip the unit back over into its normal position.

5. Remove the 5 screws along the upper back of the synth.

Take 5 Rear Screws

6. Lift up the top metalwork and place it behind the bottom metalwork, on something soft such as a strip of bubble wrap or a towel. Be careful not to stress the single ribbon cable that connects the top and bottom of the synth.

Take 5 Open

Removing or replacing a key:

1. The keys on the Take 5 are held in place by the key spring at the back of the key and by a plastic clips integral to the sides of the key near the back. To release the key spring, grasp the upper coils with needle nose pliers and pull it straight up, just until the wider coils are clear of the top of the key.

Take 5 Key Spring

2. Now pull back, moving the spring out of its retainer cup. Relax the spring and set it aside.

Take 5 Key Spring Stretched

  • Note: You only need to expand the spring a short distance to clear the top of the key, take care that you do not permanently stretch it.

3. Place your index finger behind the back of the key as shown. Pull up and towards you with medium force to release the key from the keybed. It will “snap” loose.

Take 5 Key Removal

Take 5 Key Unclipped

The key is fully released in the picture above. Do not to pull up too far, the key cannot be removed by pulling straight up, and needs to be slid forward to be removed from the keybed.

  • Note:  If you are removing a black key, you will first need to remove the neighboring white keys on either side.

4. Now slide the new key in place and press down on the back of the key until the clip snaps on.

5. Use the needle nose pliers to return the spring to its original position.

Reassemble the Take 5 in the reverse order.

Reinstalling the top panel and plastic sides:

1. There is a small metal tab on each side of the Take 5 that latches the top and bottom metal together.

2. Place the top metal panel onto the unit and line up the small tab with the cutout in the bottom metal. Slide the top panel down so the tab latches underneath the bottom metal.

Take 5 Metal Tab

Take 5 Metal Tab

1. Each side panel has three lower screw slots and four upper plastic tabs.

2. Hook the upper plastic tabs into place at an angle, then push the lower screw slots into place. The side panels will click into place with a light amount of pressure.

Take 5 Side Panels 1

Take 5 Side Panels 2

Take 5 Side Panels 3

3. While holding the side panels, flip the unit over onto something soft, like a strip of bubblewrap or towel. Reinsert the three screws on each side to secure the plastic panels.

Please contact Sequential Technical Support if you have any questions regarding this procedure.