Swap Yamaha and Kurzweil for???

[DeeDiva]

I bought the Yamaha SX90 because I am first and foremost, a piano player.

Pros:
88 keys
Weighted, touch sensitive keys
Piano voices

Cons:
It is big and HEAVY (bandmates once stuffed me in the case )
Don't love the organ sounds

Now I mostly leave it in the studio and I bought the Kurzweil for gigs
Pros:
Size - Repurposed a bass case so it is a breeze to carry
Better B3 sound than Yamaha

Cons:
76 Keys... I miss the other 12
Don't love the piano voices!

In a perfect world,I would like 88 keys that have at least some weight or touch sensitivity...
I really don't know what to get - possibly Nord? that would do the job.
If it were not for the lugging, I would be so happy with an old Rhodes and a B3!
If you have any suggestions- they are much appreciated

 

[Mighty Motif Max]

I bought the Yamaha SX90 because I am first and foremost, a piano player.

Pros:
88 keys
Weighted, touch sensitive keys
Piano voices

Cons:
It is big and HEAVY (bandmates once stuffed me in the case )
Don't love the organ sounds

Now I mostly leave it in the studio and I bought the Kurzweil for gigs
Pros:
Size - Repurposed a bass case so it is a breeze to carry
Better B3 sound than Yamaha

Cons:
76 Keys... I miss the other 12
Don't love the piano voices!

In a perfect world,I would like 88 keys that have at least some weight or touch sensitivity...
I really don't know what to get - possibly Nord? that would do the job.
If it were not for the lugging, I would be so happy with an old Rhodes and a B3!
If you have any suggestions- they are much appreciated

Which Kurzweil do you currently have?
What is the max. weight you have in mind?

 

[happyrat1]

Which Kurzweil did you buy?

The newer Artis or SP6-7 or an older SP-4 or 5?

The newer ones have much better pianos.

Also while you're at it take a look at the Roland Juno DS88 and FA-08

The Nord is also a decent option but twice the price.

Also, (don't laugh) look at Casio's PX-560 and PX-360 and PX-5S. Casio's come a long way in stage pianos these days.

Gary

 

[Mighty Motif Max]

T

Which Kurzweil did you buy?

The newer Artis or SP6-7 or an older SP-4 or 5?

The newer ones have much better pianos.

Also while you're at it take a look at the Roland Juno DS88 and FA-08

The Nord is also a decent option but twice the price.

Also, (don't laugh) look at Casio's PX-560 and PX-360 and PX-5S. Casio's come a long way in stage pianos these days.

Gary

There is no SP6-7. Only the SP4-7 etc.

 

[Mighty Motif Max]

Once we get a weight recommendation, I have some things to mention. But not until I know how high the weight limit is.

 

[happyrat1]

I wasn't sure. I know there's a smaller model of the Artis though.

Maybe I was thinking of the SP5-7

Thanks for the heads up.

Gary

 

[Mighty Motif Max]

I wasn't sure. I know there's a smaller model of the Artis though.

Maybe I was thinking of the SP5-7

Thanks for the heads up.

Gary

Yup, there is the Artis 7.

 

[DeeDiva]

Which Kurzweil do you currently have?
What is the max. weight you have in mind?

Sorry- should have specified SP4... The Yamaha weighs around 50 lbs, so a little less would be great, but I would deal with the weight to get the right sound and feel.... You have such nice gear!!!

 

[DeeDiva]

Which Kurzweil did you buy?

The newer Artis or SP6-7 or an older SP-4 or 5?

The newer ones have much better pianos.

Also while you're at it take a look at the Roland Juno DS88 and FA-08

The Nord is also a decent option but twice the price.

Also, (don't laugh) look at Casio's PX-560 and PX-360 and PX-5S. Casio's come a long way in stage pianos these days.

Gary

The SP4...Yes..I have heard that Casio has a much improved product...Thanks for your help...

 

[Biggles]

Roland FA08 would be my choice.

At 36 lbs its far less than the Yamahaha, (the DS 88 is of similar weight to the FA).

Check out the Korg Kross 2 88 key version which at 27 lbs is probably as light a 88 key unit as you can get.

Alternative could be via a controller keyboard and software solution, it would certainly be the lightest in weight.

 

[DeeDiva]

Thank you, Biggles. I will check out the FA08 and the Korg. I am trying to avoid the controller situation because honesty forces me to admit I am a tech nightmare...seriously. Cheers.

 

[Biggles]

Tech is great if you understand it but if it goes wrong or even setting it up can be a bit daunting.

I had a play on an FA07 the other day and liked the sound and the ease of navigating.

I think the 07 has a different key action v the 08 but am unsure, I will have to have a look in more detail at the tutorials and manuals but it does seem to have a lot features for the cost so what is the saying, bang for Bucks, it seems to be the one to beat.

Was not seriously looking but I have a great music store only five minutes away that has a great selection of Rolands, Korg, Nord and Yamaha keyboards and so every time I go near I pop in for a few minutes. I did also have a play on a Kronos, seriously fantastic keyboard but too expensive for this hobbyist and also far to heavy.

 

[Mighty Motif Max]

Sorry- should have specified SP4... The Yamaha weighs around 50 lbs, so a little less would be great, but I would deal with the weight to get the right sound and feel.... You have such nice gear!!!

OK, so in your weight range with a strong piano sound:

Kurzweil SP6
Kurzweil Artis 88
Yamaha MOXF8
Yamaha MX88
Korg Kross 2 88
Korg Krome 88
Casio PX5s
Roland FA08
Roland Juno DS88
Nord Stage 3 HA88
Roland RD800 and RD2000 are barely under the weight of the Yamaha S90XS at 47 lbs.
Dexibell Vivo S9
Dexibell Vivo S7
Dexibell P3

 

[happyrat1]

I had a play on an FA07 the other day and liked the sound and the ease of navigating.

I think the 07 has a different key action v the 08 but am unsure

AFAIK the FA-08 has weighted hammer action while the FA-07 is semi weighted and I think the 06 is unweighted synth action.

GAry

 

[delaware dave]

Kurzweil Forte. 88 keys, probably the best piano sound, a better B3 sound than the Sp4-7 , uses the TP40-L keybed, which feels excellent for piano and is organ playable, and weighs about the same as the SP4-7.

 

[Mighty Motif Max]

Kurzweil Forte. 88 keys, probably the best piano sound, a better B3 sound than the Sp4-7 , uses the TP40-L keybed, which feels excellent for piano and is organ playable, and weighs about the same as the SP4-7.

For some reason I thought the Forte was over 50 lbs. It's 48.

 

[Mighty Motif Max]

I know you mentioned that the keys need "some weight or touch sensitivity", so I'm not sure if this qualifies or not, but there's the Kronos LS https://www.korg.com/us/products/synthesizers/kronos2_ls/. Also the Hammond SK1-88.

 

[Biggles]

I had forgotten about the Kronos LS.

40 lbs in weight though so still no lightweight

Still think the FA08 would be the most versatile and the sheer range of Patches available makes getting the precise sound for more realistic a task. Plus it is substantially cheaper than a Kronos LS

 

[Mighty Motif Max]

Also the Yamaha CP4 has great pianos, but crap organs. CP40 too. Plenty of lower-priced stage pianos to consider too, but not with much for organ.

 

[anotherscott]

II am first and foremost, a piano player.
...If it were not for the lugging, I would be so happy with an old Rhodes and a B3!

Lightweight 88 for piano, Rhodes, B3...
Hammer action: Kurzweil SP6
Semi-weighted action: Numa Compact 2X, maybe Hammond SK1-88 (might not be strong enough on piano)

or going up to 40-ish lbs...
Hammer action: Nord Stage 3-88
Semi-weighted action: Kronos LS

More available at higher weight or fewer keys...