Played the Avant Grand (N3) today

[Dave Ferris]

Nice, REALLY nice !!

 

I spent about 90 minutes on it today at the local Yamaha piano dealer in the Valley.

 

This was my first experience playing the Avant outside NAMM. I was able to execute everything from Chopin Etudes to Bach WTC to a few pieces from Ravel's "Le Tombeau De Couperin" to my usual Jazz stuff. This is closest experience to the real deal I've ever experienced on an electronic offering. In fact they had a C5 right next to it, which when prepped properly is a very fine piano. This particular one hadn't been, I played the C5 a little bit and thought---nahh, this AG is way more fun!

 

I wanted to separate the "sample" from the "sound system" of the AG, so as usual I brought the trusty AKG 240s. It was definitely a notch or two up in clarity and refinement from my old GT-1 "Gran Touch" (this I can say for a fact as in the next room was a GT-5). The enhanced sound system (over the GT series), speakers pointing up from the "soundboard" and also down at the floor gives it a very cool, warm, organic sounding vibe, like you are playing a real instrument. On hardwood floors with higher ceilings, like in my living room, this thing would really sing out and sound even better than in the showroom.

 

Now the bad- even with the store's advertised discount price off retail and a very generous trade on my GT-1 (which I bought from the store in 1997) plus the additional "pro player/long time customer wiggle room" and Ca. tax hovering right under 10%, it's still a huge chunk of change.

 

I know I've railed in the past how I'd rather have a nice upright for the same price. Well, comparing the Yamaha U5 and the AG which were both priced somewhat in same ball park, I'd have to throw my preference towards the AG because of the legitimate "grand piano" action on the hybrid. The U5, while sounding very warm, still has that "upright action"- is it called a shorter throw for the hammers? I'm not a piano tech guy here, so please jump in with the right terminology to correct me. In any case, the AG's action is more desirable to me. Maybe different if we were talking a Steinway or Bechstein upright but those are over 30K.

 

Bottom line on the AG--The only DP that comes as close to substituting for the real thing that I had played was my Yamaha Gran Touch GT-1. This is a whole level up sound wise. Since it is new, the action is tighter and more firm than my '97 GT-1. I'd love to have one but $$$$.

 

As my wife says--"why does everything you really like have to be so expensive"?

 

[Steve Nathan]

I'm not surprised to read your post at all Dave.

You may remember from the old Summer NAMM 2009 thread, I sat and played one for quite a while and reported how 5 minutes into it, I forgot I wasn't playing a "real" piano. The experience from the bench is pretty amazing. Definitely worth trying "in person"

[Bobadohshe]

Question Dave,

 

Not being flip, but do you need one of those with your Steinway sitting in your studio??

[Dave Ferris]

Definitely don't need it

 

On the other hand, I think I would play it quite a bit. It would more than likely prolong my hammer life on the D. If I wanted to do a quick recording I wouldn't have to hassle with setting up the mics, getting a level, etc, etc. I think it would be inspiring for when I get a quick idea in my head, I wouldn't have to run out to the studio and write it down. It also has a built in recorder which could come in handy.

 

One thing for sure is that I really dig how a piano sounds in my living room with the oddball shape of the room, plaster walls, fairly high, angled ceilings, hardwood floors on a raised foundation. Bobby, you've been in my studio and played my piano. It does sound very good but I've never really been overly ecstatic with the acoustics of that room from the player's perspective. When I listen to someone playing 15 ft. away it sounds great, but sitting at the keyboard I don't get that same effect. Yeah, I could probably spend a lot less on room treatment than what the AG will run but when I had my old Yamaha S6 in the living room it was incredible sounding.--it just had this open, warm resonance in there that I'm not sure could be duplicated with absorption and diffusor panels. With my wife doing most of her work out of the house, we converted the garage to the studio about 8 years ago so we both could co-exist without strangling each other.

 

On a realistic level, I'm not sure that I'm prepared to spend that much dough right now, especially with my work scene being down and this whole economy thing.

 

It's still fun to play and G.A.S. after though.

[Bobadohshe]

I do get the idea of not wanting to shed 3 hours a day on your D. That's like commuting to work in a Mclaren F1. I also get the idea of using the Avant Grand for quick capture of ideas, as well as having an 'indoor' rig that you can use w/ headphones, MIDI, etc.

 

On a realistic level, I'm not prepared to spend that much dough right now, especially with my work scene being down and this whole economy thing.

 

That's kind of what I was getting at. Well, you can certainly dream, as well as checking out what's out there, don't mean to hold you back. But I'd kill for the D alone too, as would most of us here as you can imagine.

[Dave Ferris]

. But I'd kill for the D alone too, as would most of us here as you can imagine.

 

Of course and I didn't mean to come off as an ingrate. I know how fortunate I am not only to have been in the position to find it at such a once in a lifetime price, have the available funds to pull the trigger and actually have a really nice space to put it in.

 

What's that Duke Ellington song?

[Dave Bryce]

I know how fortunate I am not only to have been in the position to find it at such a once in a lifetime price, have the available funds to pull the trigger and actually have a really nice space to put it in.

Having had the good fortune to have played Dave's piano in his studio, I'm inclined to agree with him. That piano is truly awesome.

 

dB

[leavity]

Does the AG have the same SCM tone generating system as the CP1/5/50?

[snazzyplayer]

Not yet, but it would follow naturally that the next Avant Grand (N4?), as well as Yamaha's CLP line will utilize it.

 

That's why I sold my N3 when I had the opportunity.

 

Snazzy