Roland Fantom-08 to Replace Roland RD-88

[Old No7]

Does anybody need a Roland RD-88 from a non-smoking home, that's never left the house, was always covered and is in mint condition? PM me if so!

With that as an intro...

I had checked out a Roland Juno DS-88; and while I liked many of the workstation features, I just couldn't live with the mushy-to-me keybed after playing one for several hours over a few trips to the local GC. As some folks will say, "workstations are passe" and many users have moved onto DAWs and VSTs. But honestly, the "very LAST thing" I want to do after a long day working on a computer -- is to start up yet another computer! No way!

Plus, having played with some of my friends VSTs & controllers, I find I just can't get as motivated or inspired playing keys that way... Sure, they can sound great, but I am old enough to be old school and want a real keyboard -- those I find inspiring. (It's likely a mental block, but after 55 years of playing keyboards -- I want a real keyboard!) I've considered other options like the Kurzweil PC4 or PC4 SE (no sampling, or "stripped edition" on that version) or the Korg Nautilus 88 (but the weight is 56% more than the -08). I've also not had the chance to try any Kurzweils (does ANYONE carry those in stock anywhere?) and the Nautilus seemed OK, but I didn't get to play it for long and it's a beast to move. That said, I do like the keybed of my RD-88, and its the same on the Fantom-08.

--> Has anyone here made the upgrade from an RD-88 to the Fantom-08?

Thanks!

Old No7

 

[GigMan]

Does anybody need a Roland RD-88 from a non-smoking home, that's never left the house, was always covered and is in mint condition? PM me if so!

With that as an intro...

I had checked out a Roland Juno DS-88; and while I liked many of the workstation features, I just couldn't live with the mushy-to-me keybed after playing one for several hours over a few trips to the local GC. As some folks will say, "workstations are passe" and many users have moved onto DAWs and VSTs. But honestly, the "very LAST thing" I want to do after a long day working on a computer -- is to start up yet another computer! No way!

Plus, having played with some of my friends VSTs & controllers, I find I just can't get as motivated or inspired playing keys that way... Sure, they can sound great, but I am old enough to be old school and want a real keyboard -- those I find inspiring. (It's likely a mental block, but after 55 years of playing keyboards -- I want a real keyboard!) I've considered other options like the Kurzweil PC4 or PC4 SE (no sampling, or "stripped edition" on that version) or the Korg Nautilus 88 (but the weight is 56% more than the -08). I've also not had the chance to try any Kurzweils (does ANYONE carry those in stock anywhere?) and the Nautilus seemed OK, but I didn't get to play it for long and it's a beast to move. That said, I do like the keybed of my RD-88, and its the same on the Fantom-08.

--> Has anyone here made the upgrade from an RD-88 to the Fantom-08?

Thanks!

Old No7

Old No7 -

Your post is almost 1 yr old, so maybe you did upgrade to something by now.

Just in case you have not - here are some thought on this "what keyboard to upgrade to" issue:

I have had the Kurzweil PC4 since Sept. 2022 - great keyboard for gigs, extremely lightweight for an 88 key instrument, at 28.7 lbs! Send me a message via the "Start a Conversation" function on this forum & I'll give more info.

A big strike against the PC4 is it is pricey - has come down to $1,999 USD advertised price... and you can pay less if you ask for a quote instead of just clicking "Buy This" - from any of the major online music vendors - but is still a big chunk of change.

A cheaper alternative is the Yamaha CK or CP series:

Yamaha CP-73:

CP Series - Overview - Yamaha USA

Powered by over 100 years of piano craftsmanship and 45 years of synthesizer innovation, the CP73 and CP88 stage pianos boast authentic acoustic and electric piano sound, realistic piano touch and an intuitive one-to-one user interface.

usa.yamaha.com

Yamaha CK-88:

CK61 & CK88 Stage Keyboards - Yamaha USA

Shop the Yamaha CK61 and CK88 stage keyboards for a combination of piano, organ, and synthesizer sounds in a portable package.

usa.yamaha.com

- also lightweight for 88 key (CK-88) or 73 key (CP-73) machines... and are supposed to have a great variety of sounds for all sorts of purposes/gig situations.

Some of knocked the keyboard action on the CK-88 and the "black keys sound weird" is apparently an issue for some on the CP-73... who knows - your mileage may vary.

 

[Old No7]

Thanks, but I did get the Fantom-08 (4 lbs heavier); as I never got a chance to trial a Kurz live, I went with one I'd played in a store.

Old No7

 

[GigMan]

Thanks, but I did get the Fantom-08 (4 lbs heavier); as I never got a chance to trial a Kurz live, I went with one I'd played in a store.

Old No7

That's cool - how do you like it?