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Bobby Simons

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Posts posted by Bobby Simons

    Any thoughts on the Yamaha P-515?

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Kinyo, a brand I dont recognize. Its part of the Kraft Music Home Bundle + Sub package. My expectations were not high and I have other subs here, but it sounds fine. Not too heavy, 60 watts - a good match to the keyboard. I dont turn it up very high and am still experimenting with the crossover setting. I think its actually marketed for tv use. In fact, I was going to use it on mine but wasnt getting any signal from my audio outs.

    Any thoughts on the Yamaha P-515?

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Mine arrived this afternoon. After a dinner party obligation I finally got home to set up and play for an hour or so. So...

     

    I am absolutely thrilled with the feel of this action. I had been sweating this purchase because I never actually found one to play for myself. (You had to see me ripping the box open, panicked, and reaching under the packaging material to play some notes.) I was afraid Id never find something I liked as much as my ancient, beloved KX88 - but Im thinking this surpasses it easily. I need more time with a clearer head to organize my impressions. Ive been mostly in the headphones, but Im pretty happy with the internal speakers. I have yet to unbox the subwoofer, or get into the iPad app. The bench included in this bundle is quite comfortable, and Im loving the Z stand. I cannot wait for that furniture stand.

     

    OK, Im going back. Dont know how much sleep Ill be getting tonight.

    Casio Privia PX-S1000 ($600) and S3000 ($800)

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    So, I ventured farther from home and found an S1000 in another GC. Up too high on the wall, no sustain pedal, no respect! :(

    It generally felt quite good - the white keys, anyway. If I ventured too deep on the black keys they did seem to fight me with the short pivot point. I'm not sure I want to adjust my playing that much. Generally, however, it DOES have an impressive action, if not for me. I was also pleasantly surprised with the built-in speakers, they really had some volume and presence. Casio will sell a bunch of these two new models. Assuming people can actually find them in the store.

     

    OT: Some other boards I got to play...

     

    Kawai ES8 - Very nice.The action was great, the piano samples sounded better than they seemed to in the demos, the speakers were powerful. I'd be happy with this instrument.

     

    Yamaha CP8 - Love love loved the action. Not really the kind of board I'm looking for this time, but if the P-515 action is anything like this (did I read that here?) my search might be over. The CP was a lot of fun to play. No manual necessary, in two minutes you know what everything does. The acoustic piano patches seemed underwhelming, I'm not sure why. Most everything in the Sub section was a bit pedestrian.

     

    * Yamaha Arius YDP-184 - I played this longer than anything else. It felt and sounded great. More importantly, the illusion works - I really felt like I was sitting at a piano. One with a groovy rosewood finish, no less. So yeah, I want one of these, too.

    Casio Privia PX-S1000 ($600) and S3000 ($800)

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Ill be satisfied to lay my hands on the 1000 and if the action agrees with me (Im more than happy with the samples) Ill immediately order the 3000, which I assume is identical. Neither nearby Sam Ash or GC have either, last time I looked. Theres just no excuse for that, its not a big layout for these big chains to have in stock and available. There should be one in every store, these were best in show and the New. Big. Deal.

     

    I have the same frustration in my area- they refuse to either carry or have them on display. It's like they don't care about selling keyboards.

     

    I see you are on Long Island- I was in NYC a week and a half ago and they had the 1000 at both Sam Ash and Guitar Center (yet had them up high and with no pedal connected!) so I couldn't give a 100% review

    Youd be surprised how rarely I get into the city. We have plans for late next month.

    Casio Privia PX-S1000 ($600) and S3000 ($800)

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    Ill be satisfied to lay my hands on the 1000 and if the action agrees with me (Im more than happy with the samples) Ill immediately order the 3000, which I assume is identical. Neither nearby Sam Ash or GC have either, last time I looked. Theres just no excuse for that, its not a big layout for these big chains to have in stock and available. There should be one in every store, these were best in show and the New. Big. Deal.

    Yamaha MODX

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    I am aesthetically OCD, so having the bottom tier board be less wide than the top-tier board would bug me to no end.

    Maybe it just requires a change of mindset...

     

     

    Or just step back to how Yamaha used to do small keybeds, same width less depth.

    %2524%2528KGrHqEOKpoE3w%2521tReRpBN8%252BCp5Fzg%257E%257E_12.JPG

    Look closer at AnotherScotts pix - the Hammond Solovox WAS same width. I had an ancient one, given to me by an equally ancient club dater, in the late 60s. I mounted it on my 67 Rhodes suitcase and had what amounted to my first synth. It was awesome.

    You can see a glimpse of it in this shot...

     

    6-E15-C61-A-2692-42-A9-9333-7-B44-A1785098.jpg

     

    Casio Privia PX-S1000 ($600) and S3000 ($800)

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    I like the white. And considering the gloss finish, maybe less likely to show dust or fingerprints?

    I kinda do as well. Interestingly, I showed my wife the white P-515 with the home bundle (still in the running with me) and she gave it thumbs down for appearance.

     

    Its not as if shed ever let me put it in the living room or anything, lol.

    Casio Privia PX-S1000 ($600) and S3000 ($800)

    in The Keyboard Corner

    Posted

    I recommend you try the S1000 and S3000 next to a Yamaha P-515 , at Guitar Center, before you jump in. . .

     

    Yes, wouldnt that be illuminating? If only...

    I hit both Guitar Center and Sam Ash today. Neither place had either the P-515 or the S1000. Plenty of other, cheaper, Yamahas and Casios, but nothing Im interested in. Maddening.

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