gfmucci

Yup.  This light works great.  I have it mounted on the lower side of the music stand.  No excess weight, and no glare.

This is the one I bought: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XAD9VDG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I will use it without batteries to reduce the weight.  It can run off of AC w/o batteries.

I'm hopeful that if I angle the light from the side it will minimize the glare on the display.  Trial and error.

Yes, I have.   And my impatience paid off.  I was going to buy a brand new one, but shipping would take at least a week through Amazon at this time of year.  But I found an "open box" "like new" with a full factory warranty for $30 less than the $199 that delivers a few days sooner.  I ended up separately purchasing a clip on light for $15 that takes care of the non-backlit display issue.  Problem solved.

Given that the LK-280 that I'm interested in does not have a back lighted display and is hard to read in a dimly lit room, I have this question for users:

Is there an external light, perhaps a clip on or other close-proximity light that is inexpensive that you use and find effective in illuminating the display?   What kind of light works best for you.

Darn, I just sold a couple of battery operated music stand lights.  Those would probably work well for this application.

Here's one:  https://www.amazon.com/Kootek-Orchestra-Adjustable-Reading-Rechargeable/dp/B014F1UKI6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1514339147&sr=8-4&keywords=music+stand+lights+battery+operated  This one is $19 but slightly lesser ones start at around $8.

My greatest fear and greatest tendency is that I get a keyboard, practice some, then find some technical issue to explore or find a solution for, and devote all my waking hours to THAT instead of carrying out my PRIMARY mission which is to learn to play the darn thing.  But isn't that part of the fun?

I'm a 71 year old keyboard novice looking to buy yet another keyboard.  I've owned 2 or 3 over the past 40 years, messing around with them for a year or two and then selling them.  I've played wind instruments for 15 years in various bands and orchestras.  But I want to embark on another keyboard adventure - this time to spend more time on it and actually learn something.  My mom played piano and organ, and my brother adlibs honky tonk.  I missed the keyboard gene.

Here's the thing.  On some forums, and especially stores, the advice seems to be from professionals who believe everyone who is thinking about buying a keyboard intends to be another professional.  They don't seem to be able to relate to beginners and keyboard duffers.  Or they assume we hobbyists want to transition to an acoustic piano.  Sure, a $500 Yamaha may have a more accurate rendition of a grand piano than a $200 Casio.  But learning doesn't require "the most accurate sound."  Or they will say "the lighted keys are a gimmick", or "the learning aids aren't any good - I should take lessons from a live teacher..." yadayadayada.   Ya, sure, for $35 per half hour - that ain't gonna happen.  Or I need 76 ir 81 keys to be able to play all the music I come across.  I'll be lucky to learn music that uses 30 keys at my age!!  There's only so much time left to learn anything.

This is all to say that much of the advice given gives little or no consideration to the wants, needs, expectation, or capabilities of the propective purchaser.

My take on the Casio LK-280 is that, while not the "top of the line"-sounding instrument, it is 90% there.  I've listened to Youtubes comparing equivalently priced Korg, Yamaha, and Casio sounds and, yes, I can tell the difference.  The Casios are brighter sounding.  The Korg and Yamaha sound richer.

But for what I'm looking for, the Casio seems to nail it with decent sound, many feataures of keyboards selling for $100 or greater more, and the teaching features that will be fun for my wife and me.

I may sound like I'm attempting to justify my purchase.  Oh well.

Please let me know what I might be missing in all of this.  Rant over.

Unfortunately there is no option for the foot pedal to be a volume control, according to page E-153 of the User's Guide.  The pedal jack only performs Sustain, Sostenuto, Soft, and Start/Stop.  None of these are variable volume.

This is one reason why I am looking at more organ-like devices such as the Lowrey - but for more than I can afford.  Just looking.

The differences between the WK-7500 and WK-7600 are NOT dramatic enough to be a deal breaker.

Of course, the WK-7600 USA release may likely occur the week after you buy the WK-7500.

That's what I'm expecting to happen but decided with the minimal changes, that will be ok. The features of the 7500 will take me the short remainder of my lifetime to figure out.

I have to go fairly deep into the menu system to access volume adjustment for rhythm and accompaniment. Sure wish there were volume knobs or sliders to adjust these things on the fly. If I'm missing something, please let me know.

Someone over on Keyboardforums.com emailed Casio USA on this subject and posted the response he received today.

I'll simply quote the entire message and let you read the sad news for yourselves.

Actually, the response from Casio was quite noncommital. But it was enough to make me pull the trigger and order a 7500 from a local US dealer. I thnk what did it for me in addition to the vague time horizon (if there is one) for the new model is my reading of the 7600's manual, especially looking for information about the added equalizer. I was assuming it was something on the order of a multi-band equalizer that could adjust various frequency bands for recording and tweaking voicings, etc. However, it appears to only adjust the audio output - and only with 5 presets. The other additions were not enough for me to care about - at least not enough to make me want to wait an unknown number of weeks or months for something that may or may not happen. And then again it could be a "marketing strategy" statement to sell remaining US inventory before they introduce the newer 7600 here. I did correspond with a shop in Great Britain about Casios pricing of the 7500 and 7600. He said while the 7500 is discontinued there, the MSRPs were/are identical.

The advertisement for these models began last August and they were available during the fall in overseas markets. I suppose that Casio is clearing the WK-7500 inventory pipeline prior to a USA release. Maybe they'll be introduced at the Summer NAMM Show.

These models do not possess a big jump in features - modest gains. Casio is probably working on something REALLY BIG for 2014.

Yeah, with technology items, we're always waiting for "the next big thing." I'll be pushing the "purchase" button within the next few days. The 7500 already does more things well then I'll know what to do with (at my level of proficiency and for my purposes). I'd probably short circuit myself and blow a brain cell with anything better.

They are apparently being sold in Eurpoe and Australia. Does anyone know?

Chaos:

I'm unable to open the CTK7000/WK7500 forum. Can you help?

The only thing I was able to accomplish is dimming the "Quote" icon on the left.

Thanks.