Howdy friends,

I just sold my Roland E-80, and now that it's gettin' near Christmas, I'm thinking of something along the lines of this here critter...

http://www.rolandus.com/community/insider/article.php?ArticleId=864&tab=hands-on

Anyone have any experience with one of these?

I can get my music dealer friend, Zeke, to order one, but I want to know more about it before I do.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Snazzy

Of all the key actions I tried, I liked Roland's "PHA II Progressive Hammer Action with escapement and Ivory Feel" best. It is used on the RD700GX. If you could find an RD700GX to try you'd know if you would like the RM-700 as they share the same key action and keytops.

Much obliged, Chris.

I was also wondering about the quality of the arranger "styles", as I like to have fun when I'm playing, and we have parties every so often, and a rig like the RM-700 looks slicker than frog hair.

You know the saying, "A fool and his money are soon partying."

Snazzy

Have you had second thoughts about the Avant Grand snazzy?

Cheers,
James
x

No, James, I have not. It's another horse in the stable, but it's a special horse.

It appeals to me in a different way than the others, and it satisfies my "grand piano" fetish, without all the hassles a real grand brings along.

Have you spent any time on one yet?

I have a keyboard and/or a piano in every room ('cept the loo <grin>), and each room has it's own character/theme.

I play the Avant Grand first thing in the morning, and before I go to bed.

It touches my soul, if that don't sound too lofty a phrase.

My Hammond B-3 is the only other instrument that does that very same thing.

The RM-700 is just something I'm considering for parties and fun...I looked also at the KR-series, and the Atelier as well.

I always say that when I leave this mortal coil, I'm gonna owe a lot of money. I'm fixin' to have a mailbox set into my tombstone, and they can send the bills to that address.

Snazzy

ps. If I was forced to choose one of my instruments, it would be the Avant Grand, hands down.

If I could choose two, then following on it's heels, would be the Hammond and Leslie.

Hello Snazzy,



My apologies, somehow I managed to forget that you have already received your Avant Grand.



Regretfully, no, not yet. Actually, I did have the opportunity to play an Avant Grand in the summer, when I spent a couple of days cycling to Tokyo. There is an instrument in one of the display areas at Hamamatsu station. I had just reassembled my bike after stepping off the train, and spotted the Avant in Yamaha's product demonstration area. I desperately wanted to play this beautiful instrument, but took one look at my filthy, oily hands and decided that it was perhaps not such a wise idea!

To return to Roland, I did spend a little while at the weekend playing the new HP-307. This is a very impressive instrument. The polished ebony version that I tried looked absolutely terrific and felt very nice to play.

I switched over to an RD-700GX after this - initially to compare the piano sounds, but inevitably found myself selecting the Rhodes, Wurly, and Hammond voices!



I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying your new piano!



Ah, you're a man after my own heart! Nothing beats the sound of that vintage Hammond and Leslie combination.

Cheers,
James
x

My B-3 is a 1957 model, carefully selected from several on the floor of a store that specialized in vintage Hammond.

The Leslie is a 147 RV(reverb), completely stock.

The organ and Leslie were owned by a little old lady(honest!)and it had been meticulously maintained and they (not the old lady...she passed on) were in pristine condition.

The sound of Hammond B-3 with the proper Leslie is timeless; much like the sound of a Grand Piano, nylon string acoustic guitar, or a Tenor Sax.

The Hammond feels like it's alive, with the whirring tonewheels, and the Leslie is like a breathing beast that can growl or sigh in an instant.

The Avant Grand feels the same way. It's like it talks and whispers back to you, and you completely forget it's digital after a few seconds.

My friend Zeke has a Roland RD-700GX...nice instrument. Very playable and almost "sweet" sounding. He has the SRX-06 Complete Orchestra, and SRX-07 Ultimate Keys installed. Nice rig.

Snazzy

ps. Sorry for drifting off like that...I get all wrapped up in music making; that's why I'm gonna die poor, and owe a lot of loot.