This is a great keyboard to bend as it has a resistor controlling the pitch and a record playback feature. The sounds aren't too bad either. If you can't
get a second-hand one, (I paid £2 for mine), they sell them at Argos for £9.99 or two for £15. I'm also using a 555 timer module to control the pitch and the playback feature.
Check out my video and then I'll explain how I did it.
Circuit Bent Chad Valley Keyboard With Pyramidi Controller..AVIThere are only 3 points to solder to on the main circuit board and they are easily accessible.
The voltage starve mod was achieved by cutting the red lead coming off the battery pack and putting a 1K pot in series. This will reduce the input voltage which really messes the sound up! This bend is worth trying on most keyboards and toys but sometimes reducing the voltage disappointingly only lowers the volume.
555 timer circuits are a circuit benders secret weapon as they can be used to create loops, vibrato and tremolo effects and as a trigger for bends as well as many other uses.
The circuit is really easy to build as the 555 timer chip has only 8 legs, one of which you won't use and only a few components. I made my circuit out of cardboard and poked holes in it with a dart for the components to fit in and then jumper wired it all together.
Alternately you can buy these ready made or in kit form from get lo-fi.com.
Original schematic on 555 timer LFO came from -
http://www.mikmo.dk/cblfo.htmlSince doing this video I have fitted a timer circuit inside the keyboard to control the vibrato. I also added a capacitor across the legs of the LED inside the vactrol which can be switched on and off. This gives a ramp wave effect and sounds amazing.
Details on vactrol and LFO arrangements can be found here -
http://www.getlofi.com/?p=1978I think that covers everything. If you want more info let me know.
Happy bending!