Hi guys,

After weeks and weeks of trying to decide on a digital piano, I've come to another (hopefully my last) 'fork in the road'!

My recent top contenders have been the Roland FP4 and Roland FP7, but after the last few times going to the store I've *really* enjoyed the RD-700GX action, and the ivory emulation feel is just beautiful... When I first saw it I ruled it out as out of my price range, but I'm starting to think maybe I should just bite the bullet and spend that little bit extra (well more than a little bit!), and getting that keyboard. I do like the FP4 and the FP7 a lot, but the FP7 has that 'bottom out' action factor, and the FP4 is a little older now, and my thinking is that I'd sort of like the money I spend on a DP to be focused on the Action/Feel/Sound/Interface rather than Speakers/Session Partner, and I guess to some extent that's what the RD-700GX does. Something in between the two would be nice!

The other keyboard I'm sort of curious about, but haven't yet tried, is the Nord Stage. It's a little bit more expensive than the RD-700GX again, and I'd have to try it before buying it - I've read that it doesn't have quite as good keybed as the RD... Is that true?

The lack of speakers on the RD is a pro and a con for me.. In one sense I'd rather use the Mackie HR-824 monitors I have now anyway, but on the downside, my desk isn't currently set up for an 81 key DP + the other gear I have on my desk, so I'd need to do some re-arranging, or rebuilding to build some sort of extra shelf! And I can't help but wonder if there'll be some point where I'll wish I had a stand-alone unit with speakers - but you can't have everything!

But I guess I just wanted to ask for some peoples opinions on the RD-700GX compared to FP4, FP7. Did anyone else also choose this keyboard over the FP series? Or vice versa? Any negative features of the RD I should be aware of? Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers,
Manachi

Hi Manachi, I have the 700 gx and also just recently purchased the nord ex stage piano. The 700 gx is built like a tank and has alot of good usable sounds on it. I thought the piano sounded pretty good, but it seems to sound a little harsh compared to the nord ex. The nord piano is more defined and has a more melodic sound. The action is a little more shallow but it is very quick, it is also on the lighter side but it has a nice soft touch to it. I really enjoy the piano sounds and the rhodes sound on it. Ive only had it for over a month and had a problem with the organ lights coming on and the piano freezing in piano mode . Right now the nord dealer is trying to find some one in my area to repair it. They think one of the circuit boards on it is messed up, besides that I really love its sound and action.

pianomike, assuming you have not done so already, it may be worth checking if any software updates are available for your Nord to fix the problem you are experiencing.

Cheers,
James
x

KAWAI James, I found a technician reccomended by nord, and explained the problems I was having and he thinks it might need a whole new curcuit board so Im going to ship it off to him today. Thanks for the advice anyway.

Thanks for the posts guys.

I'm leadning towards the RD-700GX, HOWEVER.... This 'ivory key wear' factor is starting to worry me a bit. It would be extremely disappointing to fork out so much money for this unit, only to have the keys wear after a few months, which many seem to be reporting:
http://www.fastonkeys.com/studio/new-roland-rd700gx/
http://www.rolandforums.co.uk/forums/viewthread/520/
http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthrea...key%20wear.html
http://acapella.harmony-central.com/showthread.php?t=2208547

*sigh* there always has to be SOMETHING doesn't there!

I rang up Roland support, and as most people claimed, they will cover this sort of thing - which is good, but it's disappointing that it needs to come to that at all. Especially when you fork out such a large amount of money for it. The guy I spoke to said he'd only seen one single unit come back - which if true, is probably quite re-assuring.

Anyone else had any first hand experience with this?

Manachi, I have had my rd 700 gx for a year , but haven,t really noticed any wear on the piano keys,maybe when I first got it some of the shine wore off the keys but playing wise It feels the way it did when I first bought it. I practice daily on this piano and have also played out with it. I,ll take a look at it when I get home from work. Saw the replies about wear issuses on the other forum and was surprised. I use the ultimate piano setting because it seems a little softer and ritcher than the other two main pianos on the opening display, but I think most people use the expressive grand or the superior grand. Good luck with your piano buying decision.

Thanks for your response pianomike

I did it!! I purchased a Roland RD-700GX today! The store only had the floor model left, so they are ordering it in from Roland - should be in this week. I'm so excited, can't wait! Will post again when I receive it with an initial review - but for now I couldn't be happier. I'm glad I stretched my budget a bit (a LOT) futher for the model that really made me happy. A few years down the track that extra money will be forgotten, and hopefullly the keyboard will have provided lots of enjoyment! Money comes & goes, music is forever

Thanks everyone on the forum who helped with all my questions

How have the Ivory keys developed so far?

Any change in functionality, feeling or appearance?