Upgrading my stuff

[RSJ]

I'm way over due some new gear. at the minute I'm mainly using a Korg I5s. I use it for live use with a band.

I mainly use the piano sounds, and sometimes a bit of strings. But every now and again I do use synth sounds.
Although I do play some classical stuff at home. for the band it's mainly just chords. so I don't really need weighted keys.

My main problem is my budget. I'd like to keep to around £300. I am looking at the second hand market.

I was looking at the Korg x50. Which seems to have everything I need. But I've heard lots of mixed reviews on this keyboard.

Then I was thinking of maybe buying two keyboards. something like a microkorg and a stage piano like a Yamaha NP model.
But as I carry far too much stuff already, I didn't really want to go down that road.

What my question is, Will the Korg x50 be good enough or/and Do you know of another keyboard what would do me better?
I don't mind a little age. but I would like something that has a bit of new to it.

 

[happyrat1]

I haven't heard anything specifically bad about the X50.

Then again others to look at in that price range used are the Yamaha DGX-640 and the Casio WK-7500.

My advice would be to try all three to see which you prefer.

Gary

 

[happyrat1]

Also worth looking at in that used price range are the Roland Juno Di

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=azs_osd...de=qs&index=aps&field-keywords=roland+juno+di

And the Yamaha MM6

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-MM6-Mu...TF8&qid=1383705971&sr=8-1&keywords=yamaha+mm6

Or maybe the MM8

http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-MM8-Mu...TF8&qid=1383705971&sr=8-2&keywords=yamaha+mm6

 

[RSJ]

The Yamaha MM6 looks good.

Last night I found a Casio XW-G1. which is a newish keyboard. seems good but it is a Casio...

I need to go and play with a Korg x50 really, Just thought I'd ask in case there was something big i was missing out on, Thanks

 

[happyrat1]

I own a Casio XW-P1. The Synth sounds are a hell of a lot of fun, but the PCM tones are a bit cheesy.

 

[Beagle]

I would certainly recommend the Roland Juno Di over the Yamaha MM6 (or the MM8). The MM6 is only a little better than a personal keyboard from yamaha with built in speakers, I've owned both. the MM6 is very comparable to the PSR-293 that I also had.

If you're going with yamaha, look at the MO series instead. you can pick up a used MO6 for around 300 euros. That's what I currently use for live, but I'm also looking to upgrade.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-MO6-...yboards_MIDI&hash=item3387f79eda#ht_38wt_1362

(NOTE: I realize that's a US ebay listing, but it's about the right price point converted to euros)

 

[RSJ]

Interestingly their is a Yamaha MO8 on the UK ebay. starting price isn't too bad. but buy it now's £600
There is a very cheap mm6 up for sale too at the minute (not on ebay) but the seller doesn't seem to reply.

Funny thing is I like my old Korg. but I could just do with better sounds, control etc.

I may just have to bite the bullet and get a Korg i5s to be honest. suppose if I get a 2nd hand one, I could always resell if I didn't like it. without losing too much money, if any.

Thanks

 

[spdam]

Before buying my Juno di, tried the Korg model that was equivalent at the time, (I forgot the model #, but it wasn't the newer x50. I also tried the MM6. The MM6 felt and played like a toy and the key bed on the Korg was spongy and not inviting to play. Both those keyboards were really cheaply made. The Juno di is very well constructed, but I always had a tough time playing APs and EPs on it, since the action was very shallow and doesn't have much give. I tend to have heavy hands. Given the choices, I would still choose it over the others, but I'd see if the x50 is any better.