How many 88 note pianos are there?

[Hugh O Kelly]

How many 88 note pianos are there?

 

I don't know but at least 1000 out there

 

How many light 88 note keyboards that don't cost a' arm and a leg......not many apart from the PX 5s

 

So lets say I want to buy another keyboard but less keys and weighted

The only one I can think is the roland RD 64 which is heavy and not in tune.(and now selling cheap,I gave mine back)

 

I spoke to the yamaha UK guy and of course he said that most people want a weighted 88 piano.

That is true for 75% of us

but what about the 25% who want a small weighted piano that will fit in with the small mixer,small speakers in our new small car because of tax and fuel.

 

I don't see how difficult it would be to take an octave and a half off the PX 5s

 

[Jokeyman123]

I agree and have posted something similar here already.

 

Since most of the other "big"keyboard manufacturers use similar or identical weighted mechanisms-all of which are substantially heavier than the Casios (you know I've studied these with my crazy mods!) Casio already has the means for creating the exact mechanism as the PX5s, PX350 or the newer ones in a 61-73- or 76 key length. probably a matter of which model to use as a base. I would consider seriously a 61 or 76 weighted key even though I own 3 Casios already (yes a little overkill). but should it be the PX5s architecture, the XW series or the WK/CTK versions? A killer weighted 61/76 key workstation would be a vey interesting combination, ready for stage or studio use. The only other newer 61/76 key weighted keyboards I've seen in the US/UK are the Studiologic VMK series which are only MIDI controllers and look like the same frames and assembly as the older Ensoniq/Kurzweil 76/88 key models, thus must weigh a ton. Since these are Fatar actions-there are no multi-layer sensors as in the Casios, and in my experience the Fatar actions are pretty tough on your hands compared to the Casios since the internal construction is not the same

 

http://www.studiologic-music.com/vmk-161-plus.html

 

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/feb07/articles/fatar.htm

[Null]

I think it's mainly Casio's approach to keeping costs under control..

 

Everytime you fork off a production line into additional models you have to deal with everything from design and production costs to packaging and marketing and distribution and support  costs and diminishing returns on sales since the new line cannibalizes the same market for the original 88 key model.

 

Personally I'm grateful that Casio goes to great lengths to keep costs under control and build their products for prices that everyone can afford.

 

And seriously,, if you're a gigging musician and need to haul your keys from gig to gig then you should at least own a station wagon if not a van.

 

Or just bite the bullet and buy a Korg or Roland or Yamaha 73 key stage piano if you really need to squeeze it in there.

 

Otherwise I think Casio is doing the right thing by ignoring a marginal niche market with diminishing returns.

 

Gary

[Hugh O Kelly]

For me I still don't see why it would cost more to make the same keyboard with less notes

and even if only10% bought it there would still be a huge market.Every time I'm in a piano shop all the piano's are the same all 50 of them.

 

My ideal keyboard would be an 88 note with 2 octaves detachable so it would fit in a small car.

The first company who makes one will do well

I've got a small hammond(can get an even smaller one) a smaller bose and apart from the piano everything fits.

The days of the big van in my opinion (being full of Hugh-mility) are over.

The fact is at my age I can't lift heavy gear anymore and besides I have already hurt my back over the years in bands.

Remember that Yamaha piano with the metal frame and real strings......a back killer.

 

 

 

Bose have just made a new PA which looks perfect for every gig

Have you seen it

https://www.bose.co.uk/GB/en/home-and-personal-audio/speakers/portable-pa/f1-model-812/

 

For a small gig you need one or two.

For a big gig....https://www.bose.com/products/speakers/portable_pa_speakers/F1-flexible-array-loudspeaker-with-subwoofer.html

[Null]

I helped move one of those Yamaha baby electric grands back in the 80's while on cleanup detail after a show at my old college.

 

I almost got crushed by it lifting it off of the stage.  And I pumped iron when I was a kid.  I was no weakling.

 

Also I seriously doubt that you could fit a set of those Bose speakers in your tiny car as well

 

As for the additional cost of producing two keyboards with identical guts and different form factor?  Try  80% to 100% more expensive.

 

Dies and jigs and design work for the extra production line don't get any cheaper.  All the casings and the packaging have to be redesigned and produced.  Documentation has to be rewritten to cover both models.  Marketing has to be devoted to both models.

 

What company do you know that's willing to almost double their production lines and production costs for 10% of a market they already dominate to begin with.

 

Besides, the PX-5S only weighs 25 lbs as it is.  If you get creative, fold down the rear seats and the front passenger seat, you can squeeze one into a Mini if you had to.

 

Hell, hang a red flag on it and stick it out the rear hatch if you have to :D

 

Gary

[Hugh O Kelly]

Mr Happyrat1,Gary,

 

Always good to hear your comments.

66/67 cm........yes a little tall for my VW but for what it does 1000 w ,I can live with it

Two of those and the bass units and you could play in a very big hall indeed.

 

I think I will just have to get out the saw and take off the octaves myself.

Besides as an x-piano tuner I used to help make pianos.

A bit of glue and I'll be "sorted" Ha ha

 

 

Please Casio make the PX4 3/4 please !!!

 

or the PX-5s-1/4

or 

the PX 64 note s

 

p please ! ! !