I am not very familiar with the keyboard models currently available, as I have only played acoustic pianios. But it would be nice if one could get a good grand piano sample, and some rocking tremelo organ in one keyboard.

Is this possible ?

My local music store carries the Korg brand, and they did have a model that seemed pretty nice on the piano sound. But the organ voice, with "Effects" on (tremelo) was a little whimpy.

Also, there is the issue of the key type: weighted piano keys vs light weight organ keys.

Has anyone been successful in combining these features, or are we talking two seperate instruments here ?

Roland RD700 -- especially with "concert grand" and "keyboards of the 60's & 70's" expansion boards

(or better yet, Fantom X8 with or without expansion boards)

The Roland RD700 and Fantom X are good compromises. The organs are decent and the pianos are very good. However, if you want to go with the full B3 experience with drawbars, controls, and waterfall organ keys then it is two different instruments. At least it is for me. I don't mind playing the piano with a good synth keyboard like the smaller Fantom Xs or Motif/Motif ES's - especially since I don't like hauling around those 88 key hammer action monsters . But, I don't really like to play piano with organ keys and I don't like playing organ with piano/synth keys if that makes sense.

Ryan's right. But the Roland RD700 does have what they call virtual drawbars.

Actually, aren't we we are thinking of the VR 760, which has the VK organ modeller, an organ keyboard, drawbars, and the RD pianos? I think the RD700 has sampled organs, not that they aren't useful...

Ryan

Yes, the RD700 has sampled organs -- they'll work in a pinch though not in the same league as the VK stuff. But the RD700 also has the following (taken from the roland website):

"Realistic tonewheel organ sounds with graphical drawbar editing"

http://www.rolandus.com/products/details.asp?catid=11&subcatid=46&prodid=RD%2D700

I'm not saying this is the greatest thing ever -- but it seems to fit what SlowBob is looking for.

Ah, that's what you meant. I've never used the RD700 "Realistic tonewheel organ sounds". I liked the piano, tho.

Ryan

The only product available in such way is Roland V combo VR760. 76 waterfall keys with Piano and synth sounds and expandable with SRX cards for more sounds. Has quite impressive piano sounds too. Other manufacturers(who sell products in the U.S) just don't make combo products.

I am with Kenpcola!

I have used a VCombo (VR760) live and nothing else in my humble opinion can match the all around versatility of this keyboard. PLUS it's built like a tank! Would stand up to much road gigging i think.