Good morning folks,

I'm planning to visit the annual Japan Musical Instrument Fair next week, and hope to spend a little time visiting the various piano/DP manufacturers to play-test their latest instruments.

There are some new models that I am obviously keen to try, and a number of questions to ask the booth representatives. If you have any queries that you would like me to put directly to the staff, please let me know.

While Japan's musical instrument fair is a relatively small exhibition (especially when compared with NAMM or Musikmesse), it's still a popular, well attended event, and I am rather looking forward to comparing the various brands and models.

Cheers,
James
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Ask them when they might possibly get off their butts, come into the 20th century (never mind the 21st), and put >4GB piano sample sets in their DPs already.

If they give you any flack tell them Dr Popper put you up to it.

And, absolutely dead seriously, I would be very interested in their responses (or non-responses).

Korg Kronos?

Will you be able to tell us about the new models you see/try? I am curious if Yamaha is bringing out more digitals in their P series.

Zoe, Yamaha have not announced any updated P series models as part of their Autumn-Winter refresh, however if I see any new models, I'll obviously let you know.

Cheers,
James
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More of a workstation than a DP.

The RM3 and AG key actions really deserve the best sound possible, it's kind of weird to have looping anywhere near them.

Tell them we want a $1000 MIDI controller with a three-sensor RM3 action. Or even better, a AvantGrand-like action (Kawai, I'm looking at you on both counts).

Oh wait, I was supposed to have questions. Ask them why they don't give us those things.

I'd be curious to learn as well if they'll be more AvantGrand-like keyboards.

I'd like you to talk to the Yamaha folks and ask what their plans are for the next generation of hybrids but I know they won't say anything.

Asked what their favorite color was, DP industry types would likely hem and haw.

You'd probably have better luck obtaining nuclear launch codes from the Secret Service.

James,

Please ask them when they are going to make the digital output available on the USB connection to a computer (i.e., just to a USB drive doesn't count).

Have a great time.

You could ask Roland (if my question isn't embarrassingly naive) if they contemplate designing a hybrid piano or would consider incorporating an AvantGrand-like real piano action into their V-Piano or other SN model. (You needn't ask Kawai, you no doubt already know the answer.)

Ask Yamaha when is their first DP with its sounds sampled from their CFX concert grand (which replaces the CF-IIIS concert grand, from which all their current DPs are sampled) coming out, and whether it's going to be in a new AvantGrand model.

Surely they're not going to wait until all the CF-IIIS pianos in use in concert halls around the world have bitten the dust and been replaced by the CFX before a DP based on it comes out?

I would love to have a truly portable keyboard:

Three 25 key sections that fit together, no internal speakers or amp(too much weight and size), but output for phones, line out, usb midi out, pedal in, line in. Good variety of internal piano and organ sounds. All packs up in a nifty oversize briefcase. They can market the amp and external speakers separately.

Hi James,

Please ask casio when they will release privia PX335 in Europe ? And what exactly is their keys action or build quality improvements on PX XX5 series...

Please ask yamaha why P155 is so expensive in france (europe ?) compare to US...

Thanks in advance.

Yes, that ^ about the p155 - also the Roland Fp-7f.

Unfortunately, I doubt the folks at a domestic trade fair will have a great deal of knowledge/experience about pricing in overseas markets.

James
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I understand, but anyway, please rant for me, just for the poetry, just sens of humor then

By the way, I like very my your new CL-36. Please try to convince me to to buy one here :
http://www.pianoworld.com/forum/ubbthrea...tml#Post1779998

PS : I think you're the only one to answer some of my questions.

I'm glad to read that you find the CL36 to be agreeable. However, I believe you should purchase the instrument that satisfies your own specific needs - it's not my role, nor my desire to convince you.

Kind regards,
James
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Supposed to be funny, missing a smiley perhaps ? It was not really a serious asking, just an invitation to discuss a little and help (a non specialist) to decide among all DP offering. I read you have some inputs about kawai and PX335 actions, so it was interesting for me. But obvioulsy, I can understand it is not so interesting for you.

And about my "own specific needs", well, that the difficult part . The easy one, is that RH is really pleasure to my fingers, and not so expensive.

Yes, I too am keen to try the updated Casio Privia models, and perhaps ask the company representatives about how the action has been improved etc.

Cheers,
James
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Thanks a lot James.

By the way, James. I have some questions.

I take some piano lesson 30 years ago, my parents rent me something that look like the current accoustic upright K-15 in my brochure. I don't know if other model has the same look, I don't know if upright model change a lot in 30 years. I have no instrument knowledge, and didn't play long enough to have a real good appraisal of piano quality... But never the less, it was the best piano I ever tried (even if I didn't try that much ;), for example I never have the chance to play a grand piano).

The question now, is it possible that the Kawai Cl-36 and this kind of accoustic model share some "feeling", explaining why i liked it immediatly at first try, or is it just a "coincidence" ?

And a last one, CL-36 has the same action has CN-33 and MP6, except the let-off, right ? And it is normal I don't miss the CN33 improvement if I was used to a K15 ?

Regards

zack, I'm afraid I don't really know if the CL36 and K-15 share the same feeling. If you believe they do, that's good enough for me!

As for your question, yes, the CL36 uses essentially the same keyboard action as the CN33/MP6, albeit without the let-off simulation.

Kind regards,
James
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I don't know James, it was 30 years ago ! It is why I ask you

Just by curiosity , I wanted to know if DP and accoustic are separate entity, or if some engineering and manufacturing are shared among the product lines (or at least if a brand identity is desired between accoustic and digital product)...

BR

James,

One more question if you don't mind : How do you compare Kawai ES6 to CL36 in term of key action ? I see it is not the same, but are they close ? Then, how do you compare ES6 to PX330 ? Do you think I must try this model if I liked the PX330 versatility on one side and the CL 36 action on other side ?

Thanks

Edit : I compared ES6 to MP6, and considering price and feature difference, I think MP6 is more interesting for me, I thought ES6 was cheaper.

KJ,

I would really like you to petition the manufacturers for a truly portable, graded-hammer digital piano, one that, when fitted in an ATA flight case, would measure less than 62 inches (L + W + H) and weigh less than 50 lbs. They can include as many keys as possible that will meet the requirements for luggage without added fees. That said, having one with five octaves from F to F, instead to C to C, would be a real bonus for anyone (like me) interested in playing early repertoire (anything up to middle Beethoven, including most if not all of Bach, Scarlatti, Handel, Mozart, & Haydn) and who needs to take his instrument on frequent trips.

Much obliged for the solicitation. Enjoy your trip.

Craig

The acoustic and piano divisions are separate, however their expertise and knowledge is shared, undoubtedly.



The CL36 action is better.



I try to avoid making comparisons with other manufacturer's instruments.



I believe you should try as many models as possible before making your decision.



The MP6 is a very capable instrument for the price, however its broad range of features may be a little confusing/distracting for a beginner.

Kind regards,
James
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ctnski, that's an interesting idea, and something that would certainly be appreciated by frequent flying classical pianists.

However, I believe such a product appeals to a relatively small niche, and is therefore perhaps best catered for by specialist developers, such as Infinite Response.

Kind regards,
James
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Yamaha has failed to make such a one. Suzuki failed. I've tried keyboards from both of these, and had to give them up.

Maybe I can get Honda interested. They've always been about compact and ergonomic.

Thanks anyway.

Craig

Robin. Robin Reliant. I'm sure they would come up with an ergonomic solution.



British design and engineering quality,too.

Interesting, what does it use instead of wheels at the front? Bit 60's in its design though.