Hi, folks:

Does anyone here have any experience/opinions with the Roland digital harpsichord C-80 or C-80-AK? I'm particularly interested in how it feels to play it... read one review that mentioned cheap plastic-y feeling keys, but didn't mention the touch at all.

Any comments, or ideas of other good digital harpsichords are welcome. Thanks.

Nina

I've played the C80 in the past. Having not played on harpsichords in the past, I don't have a whole lot to base it on except a poorly regulated action of an older true harpsichord, so my opinion is really useless. However, others with more experience have tried them in my store, and the responses varied. A true harpsichordist told me it was "...uuuuuum, very interesting?" OTH, Another friend of mine who minored in Harpsichord liked it very much and purchased one. Both agreed on liking the sound very much.

One problem, is finding a dealer that carries them. Most Roland dealers don't carry them as there is very little demand. If you'd like, I can contact my rep and find out if he knows of any dealers in your area with a C80 that you can try.

I mentioned the Roland digital harpsichord to my piano teacher and asked her if she has ever played a real one and how it compares to the piano. She did have an opportunity to play one when she was studying for her music degree (which was yonks ago!). Anyway, she said the touch of a harpshichord is totally different from that of a piano. I guess unless one has played on a variety of real harpsichords, it would be useless to evaluate the Roland's action.

Nonetheless, Nina, should you ever get a chance to try one out, please keep us updated. In Singapore, where I am at, I know for certain that the local dealer would not carry it. However, I am really interested in getting one as a toy, so I would be grateful for any user feedback.

I have not been able to locate one in Australia so I guess I will have to wait for a trip o/s to locate one to try...

this is an interesting site - someone making good use of one

http://www.helsinki.fi/~vvnurmi/harpsichord.html