Going to buy a Roland RD-170, unless...

[Larry Larraga]

I've been scouring eBay and myriad online classifieds for weeks trying
to find a deal on something I can afford but everything I like (RD700,
MP9000, Fantom, Triton, S80/90) goes through roof at auction close or
it's a "wire me the money" scam. I have $1000US and want 88-weighted
keys and a really good piano plus bread and butter sounds (e.piano,
organ, strings, pads, synth). I don't care about weight really. It looks
like the Roland RD-170 is the only thing in my price range new. I'd love
to hear otherwise. Thanks.

Larry Larraga

[Alex Hawk]

Post by Larry Larraga
I've been scouring eBay and myriad online classifieds for weeks trying
to find a deal on something I can afford but everything I like (RD700,
MP9000, Fantom, Triton, S80/90) goes through roof at auction close or
it's a "wire me the money" scam. I have $1000US and want 88-weighted
keys and a really good piano plus bread and butter sounds (e.piano,
organ, strings, pads, synth). I don't care about weight really. It looks
like the Roland RD-170 is the only thing in my price range new. I'd love
to hear otherwise. Thanks.
Larry Larraga

Hi. I played on all of instruments I mentioned below.
Don't buy RD-170, the action of the keyboard is a little fake - it feels
to me like it's broken. I have RD-700 and the action is good to me. The
RD-150 action is much much better than the RD-170's. If i were You I
would buy Yamaha P-80. For about 1000$ it's the best choice and the
action of the keyboard is excellent.

[pTooner]

I think most folks will agree that the best for the money is the Yamah
P80. You should be able to get one used for around $800 or possibly
less. If you can't, email me. Maybe I'll sell mine. I find the only
disadvantage is the action is a bit slugishy when you play very quick
passages. I find the Roland action a bit quicker responding.

Post by Alex Hawk

Post by Larry Larraga
I've been scouring eBay and myriad online classifieds for weeks
trying to find a deal on something I can afford but everything I like
(RD700, MP9000, Fantom, Triton, S80/90) goes through roof at auction
close or it's a "wire me the money" scam. I have $1000US and want
88-weighted keys and a really good piano plus bread and butter sounds
(e.piano, organ, strings, pads, synth). I don't care about weight
really. It looks like the Roland RD-170 is the only thing in my price
range new. I'd love to hear otherwise. Thanks.
Larry Larraga

Hi. I played on all of instruments I mentioned below.
Don't buy RD-170, the action of the keyboard is a little fake - it
feels to me like it's broken. I have RD-700 and the action is good to
me. The RD-150 action is much much better than the RD-170's. If i were
You I would buy Yamaha P-80. For about 1000$ it's the best choice and
the action of the keyboard is excellent.

[Vin Miller]

I'll add to the chorus -- the Yamaha P80. I own one and love it. I
played a P60 in a local store recently and the keyboard has a lighter
action, but still quite good -- and it's cheaper. Also, it has internal
speakers that aren't terrific, but are okay.

[HellPope Huey]

Post by Vin Miller
I'll add to the chorus -- the Yamaha P80. I own one and love it. I
played a P60 in a local store recently and the keyboard has a lighter
action, but still quite good -- and it's cheaper. Also, it has internal
speakers that aren't terrific, but are okay.

Just as an added 2 cents, keyboards that have onboard speakers can give
you some added punch, because even if you have them running to combo
amps or the house speakers, that extra bit of oomph usually makes
playing more engaging from YOUR perspective. Give yourself that added
boost. When I played a Roland FP-6 and let both sound sources rip, it
felt a lot more punchy to play and that's always a good thing.

--

HellPope Huey
If I whacked my forehead and went "D'OH!"
for every mistake I'd made,
I could rest a beer can in the hollow

I have never made but one prayer to God,
a very short one:
"O Lord, make my enemies ridiculous."
And God granted it.
- Voltaire

I may be a living legend,
but that sure don't help
when I've got to change a flat tire.
- Roy Orbison

[m***@pop.netzero.net]

Personally I find Rolands garish, and the touch too light. There's the
Yamaha S08 if you insist on a synth. Otherwise the P-90 is my
recommendation. I flirted with a P-60 for a while but found it a little
too basic, and eventually hated the speakers.