cassdad

I bought custom slip covers to protect my KP-612SX and SL-512. Seems to be working so far.

Seems we all acknowledge the numerous schlepping factors in addition to weight. One more comment: Using more than 1 keyboard exponentially raises the weight, stand / accessories, schlepping and setup / teardown complications. I’ve found limiting myself to only 1 keyboard to be a significant factor on so many fronts. Most keyboards can have 1 or more splits, so, for me, although having 88 keys is a heavier board, splitting mitigates having to have additional boards / stands / accessories, etc. YMMV.

Don’t Let the Sun, Go Down On Me (Elton John). Sunrise, sunset.

Thank you all for the very excellent input and considerations. It’s a “family” type environment, meant to simply be friendly and welcoming, not hitting anyone up for money.

It is not a requirement, apologies if I mislead. It’s simply a consideration, and considered good form by some, but apparently not all, based upon many of these responses. Which is also very good input!

No, not a requirement. However, some consider it good business practice, as well as simply being an opportunity to better relationships for the venue and/or for myself. (Consider the standard practice of the manager or chef at a good restaurant going around table to table.)

I have an upcoming gig where I’ll have to roam the venue (winery) doing small talk from table to table during breaks (I’m playing solo piano). Based upon the many years of experience of many on this forum: Any suggestions on what to say / not to say? Topics to discuss? How to make a good impression with small talk? I’d like to NOT get song requests, as I’m playing some unique songs / arrangements, and am NOT interested in playing requests…. so I do NOT want to say “what would you like to hear?”. How do I steer the conversation so I don’t get requests for Sweet Caroline? 😀

Yes to most of the previous comments (I don’t have the option of IEMs - most bands I play with are not sophisticated enough, and too stubborn to go with them, ugh). Stage and band size greatly limits options. I’d add that my number 1 problem is that wherever I place my speakers (stereo is a must for me, also) - there is always some band member standing right in front of them, blocking most of the sound. Infuriating. I’m currently using a Motion Sound amp (both left & right in one box), further exacerbating the situation.

I use my main keyboard as the “mixer”….. it has inputs (1/4 jacks and USB), and has a volume control on-board to control the incoming instrument volume relative to my main keyboard. Works great, no additional hardware required.

Yup…. I didn’t want to harp on it yet another time, but I could not agree more. Even though heavier than desired, I think it is this guy’s answer, but didn’t want to sound like I’m hawking Motion Sound. (Also noting that I’ve been trying to buy another MS, and it’s been “back ordered” at Sweetwater for months - so I’m not sure what is going on with MS manufacturing.)

Yup.

US taxes / laws apply to all citizens, regardless of your occupation / hobby. I don’t think a tax specialist is needed in this case. Any competent tax preparer should know what counts as what regarding the tax code. My 2 cents.

I thought he was ok with subtle, but not OK with obnoxiously large. The huge logo and “Palisades” across the most of the back, to me, is in the obnoxious category. And I could list many more models similarly identified. Yet not only are most people fine with it - perhaps manufacturers are finding that it actually increases sales. As I suspect keyboard manufacturers have also found.

I also have the same question, glad you posted it, hoping for some good info responses. The XK-5 is definately long in the teeth, but is it still their “flagship”? Or are the more recent models better, and if so, in what ways? ie. the SKX Pro or XK-4? They now have so many models, I have no idea which is the “best”. Which has the best “Hammond” sound? Best touch? Best leslie sim? Most realistic (re: 9 different triggers as each key is pressed)? Is the XK-5 still the best?

You mean like this? Unfortunately, even with the huge logo and “Palisade” going almost the entire width of the vehicle, I don’t see people covering it up (or removing it). And they’re selling like hotcakes. Maybe large logos are not a big negative for many people.