JeffKeys

I have a Nord Stage 3 and Ocean Beach drawbars and I'll tell ya that they are ultimately compatible! I can't imagine having to relay on the drawbuttons!

I, also, just had the best experience with WWBW compared to all of the others. I got a $500 discount on a Nord Stage 4. No one else came close. On the first gig a B key broke. The exchange for another board was quick, effortless and very nicely done. Sorry to hear of your recent poor experience, but based on my experience, I’d highly recommend them. Much better than the other branches of Guitar Center.

I’ve been aware since I’ve exclusively been using the Nord Stage 88 that I’ve gotten into the habit of using some higher keys than exist on my console organ. I guess I’m not going to beat myself up too much for that. My apologies to the purists!

Nord Stage 3 through a Vent (1) through a MS KP612S. Not shrill to my (admittedly fried) ears.

I own the 500SN and the 612S. The 612 is in another league compared to the 500SN. The 500S came after the SN (N is indeed for the neodymium speakers it included) and I was told was an improvement sonically from its predecessor. The 612 is the best amp I"ve ever had or heard (other than a pair of powered monitors) and it has a manageable weight and size. It even sounds great with acoustic piano patches, which is always the hardest to get sounding good (using with a Nord Stage 3).

I love the small PA sound, but have been using a Motion Sound 612 for the last year. The sound is awesome, even for AP (using a Nord Stage 3). Load in/setup/strike/load out soooo much better. One keyboard one cabinet! Who could have imagined that 30 years ago! Now all I need are gigs to go to again. Ahh well. All in good time!

Small company, great products!! Have been playing through my KP612 for about a year and almost every time I play a gig, I"m taken aback by how good it sounds! Especially with acoustic piano patches!!

I have a Nord Stage 3 88HA and its the only keyboad I ever take to a gig. The action is exactly the compromise you mention. It took me a while, but I am now perfectly able to execute all of organ styles on this action, and it suits piano/ep superbly. The organ section is awesome, although I use a Ventilator sim (many think this unnecessary) and an Ocean Beach midi drawbar unit since I can't stand using "drawbuttons". Piano,ep,and synth are perfect for your uses. Great control interface and new sounds are continually being developed and over time, the keyboard has gotten even better. The only box it doesn't check is that is has fixed split points, but they can create 4 zones on the 88. Highly recommended!!

I"ve been using mine since June and I, too, have had no trouble with the treble. In fact, it"s the best amp sonically that I"ve ever used. If I was you, I"d call Jeff at MS. I was having a problem and he talked me through it. Turns out I needed a new crossover. I sent it directly to MS and they had it back to me in no time sounding great. Their customer service is great!

Firth Of Fifth gets my vote!

I love the MS Pro-145 especially with a speakeasy 122 preamp, but the Vent is just too easy and sounds too good through a stereo setup. I"m keeping the 145 with the intention of using it on organ only gigs, but that hasn"t happened now in years!

Speaking of these units, I have a 612. I love the unit, but I had a buzz on the expand. After a conversation with Jeff of MS, he sent me a label and had it back to me in under 2 weeks working perfectly. I"ve had many MS systems and never had a problem, but it"s nice to know that if a problem arrises, there is first rate customer service waiting in the wings. Props to MS for their products and customer service! Btw, the amp is really incredible!

There was only just a prototype of the 88 key model. Evidently there were plenty of 76 key models produced.

Well, I have both of those amps (described above in this thread) and the sound isnt even close. Get the 612 and youll have a BIG upgrade! (And then get a LeCover padded cover for it and youll never have a knob loss problem again!)

Just to distinguish it from the more recent KP-500S which the folks at MS told me had other upgrades over the years. I have a SN which Ive lived using for 10 years or so until I just purchased a 612.