Kurzweil SP2X

[Voojo]

Hello all, I am looking for any thoughts on the Kurzweil SP2X. I have scoured the internet and found some good reviews, but seeing as it's a fairly new keyboard (I think?) I haven't seen anything about the reliability. Has anybody spent some time with one, and have any thoughts?

 

I went to my local Guitar Blender to see if I could check a few keyboards out, mainly the SP2X and the Roland FP4. Unfortunately the store I went to didn't carry the Kurzweil line (some do) and they didn't have the FP4 in stock.

 

I am open to other suggestions, I am basically looking for a somewhat lightweight (doesn't have to be a featherweight) fully weighted keyboard. The most important sound to me is the acoustic piano sound, decent electric pianos would be a bonus, but I have a Nord Electro 2, so I have the EPs and organs covered. I have read good things about the effects of the SP2x. Max budget is aboud 1500, but a little less is better. It doesn't have to have internal speakers.

 

I searched the forum but didn't come up with anything on the SP2X. Thanks all for your thoughts!

[MoodyBluesKeys]

My church has had a SP2X for the past year (replaced the older PC88MX that had developed some intermittent problems). It does a good job for us, played by our primary keyboardist. The acoustic piano is same as a couple of the sounds on a PC2X (not as good as my new PC3X, but not bad, if you like the Kurzweil Triple Strike sound). She uses one of the electric piano sounds all of the time. I have played it a few times, it has a decent feel, seems to be well built.

I understand that there is now a version that also has internal speakers, but we have one of the originals. Pricewise, you might find a new PC-1X or PC2-X now at a discount. Many more sounds in general, same family of acoustic piano sounds but more of them.

 

I am second keyboardist there (play bass, organs, orchestral sounds, etc.), and use a dual keyboard setup with a K2000VP and a PC2. I recommended checking out the SP2X to the church.

 

My only two complaints are very minor. For one, the finish is brushed aluminum, which is OK, but I would have liked black better. The other is the length. For some reason, they put some very deep end caps on the keyboard, making it an inch or so too large to fit in any of the moderabely priced hard cases that are available on EBay and other sources. (The SP88X, PC1X, PC2X, and PC3X all will fit in the same case). So far, I haven't seen anyone making a case specifically for the SP2X.

 

Jim

[MuzikTeechur]

I have not played the SP2x. I own an SP88x.

I recently played an FP-4 at the local music store and LOVED it. Great sounds, LOTS of sounds. The key action was very different from the Kurz and the Yamahas, but not necessarily better or worse.

That volume knob on the FP-4 bothers me, however. Looks a little fragile, and it sticks WAY up there, just begging to get broken off during transport...

[Voojo]

Thanks much Jim & muzikteechur for your thoughts! I am actually slightly leaning towards the Roland FP-4, as I have decided that for around the house the internal speakers would be nice, and even with the speakers the FP-4 weighs 33 pounds vs. the Kurzweil SP2X at 48 pounds.

 

One thing I haven't found is any reviews of the Electric Pianos on the FP-4, mainly the Wurlitzer sound, I am wondering if it is decent. As I said I have the Nord Electro 2 but it would be nice to have passible E.P.s on the FP-4. Thanks again!

 

Seth

[MuzikTeechur]

Go play one FP-4 in a music shop if you can find one. I fell in love with the thing.

[Voojo]

The store I went to didn't have an FP-4 in stock, I'll have to see if I can find one around. I did get a hold of one guy that has an FP-4 and he said the Wurlizter EP sound is really pretty good, that works for me!

[Guest]

 

One thing I haven't found is any reviews of the Electric Pianos on the FP-4, mainly the Wurlitzer sound, I am wondering if it is decent. As I said I have the Nord Electro 2 but it would be nice to have passible E.P.s on the FP-4. Thanks again!

 

Seth

 

Jazz+ has spoken about the FP-4 EP's many times on here -do a search. And his friend has multiple FP-4 videos on YouTube (LotToLearn is his user name there IIRC).

 

B37

 

 

 

[Guest]

Sorry Voojo, we're hi-jacking your thread. I should have just PM'd Seth.

 

Did you see where Electronic Magazine voted the SP2X as best EP in their opinion.

 

See what I said about Jazz+ etc., in the above post. Or go to music 123 and get a Casio PX-320 for $599 right now. Keyboard Corner now has a member working at Casio. See the thread down about 10-20 threads.

 

B37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B37

[Voojo]

 

Jazz+ has spoken about the FP-4 EP's many times on here -do a search. And his friend has multiple FP-4 videos on YouTube (LotToLearn is his user name there IIRC).

 

B37

 

 

 

Thanks B37, I did a search but didn't come up with much, I also read through quite a few of Jazz+ posts. I also did watch some LotToLearn videos, in fact he told me in a PM on Youtube that he thought the Wurlitzer sound was good.

 

BTW Voojo and Seth are both me!

[Guest]

 

 

Thanks B37, I did a search but didn't come up with much, I also read through quite a few of Jazz+ posts. I also did watch some LotToLearn videos, in fact he told me in a PM on Youtube that he thought the Wurlitzer sound was good.

 

Seth, I'll see if I can find the particular threads, I might have bookmarked them. I remember him liking them though I don't recall how much. In the meantime PM him, he's been very helpful to me.

 

BTW Voojo and Seth are both me!

 

Oh yeah, sorry, I've been up all night.

 

B37