There are different factors besides the build of a keyboard that can contribute to it breaking down.

1. Frequency of use
2. How it's stored when not in use
3. How it's treated while in use
4. Luck

It's true that I do many shows per year. I don't bang the keyboard around or splash water on it. I store it in a gig bag with extra padding on the top and on the sides. The ideal would be to store the keyboard in a hardshell case. Nevertheless, the keyboards look almost brand new.

When not in use, the keyboard I gig with is left in the trunk of my car resting on top of the keyboard stand. While I let it warm up before use in the winter, it is subject to many temperature variations and bumps while in the trunk.

It doesn't surprise me that under these circumstances that my keyboard would break down. What upsets me is that both my keyboards are having subtle, hard to pinpoint intermittent problems at the same time.

Two years ago, one of my S900's needed a $425 repair, $300 of which was covered by Mastercard's extended warranty.

Today, I took the keyboard that was having the mic problem to a gig, and it didn't give me any trouble.

I'm going to get a mixer in case the mic input stops working again. In the meantime, I'm going to get the other keyboard repaired, and I'm going to consult with Yamaha about what could have caused the mic to have this problem because the Yamaha authorized technicians had no idea.

BTW, a Tyros probably is more sturdy. But it is a lot more expensive, and I really rely on the onboard speakers that the PSRs have.