Gearslutz.com - View Single Post - When you actually would like to have a grand piano

littledog · 17th May 2003

Here it is:

Yamaha S-90

At Guitar Center sells for $1899 (USD).

This is the most realistic sounding and feeling piano, with the most expressive responsiveness of ANY electronic piano that I have ever played, and I have tried just about everything. The action is outstanding, and unlike everything else to date, each note is sampled at THREE different velocity levels, rather than the two levels that all the others have, making for a far more responsive touch.

The Yamaha action is second to none. I greatly prefer it to the Roland/Kurzweil (and anything else I've tried) which are mostly based on the Fatar action. The Kurzweil actions are particularly unimpressive, at least to me.

And as a bonus, you get about 1200 additional slamming sounds from the Motif palette.

I have had hard core acoustic pianists who HATE all electronic pianos come into my studio and give grudging admirationto this unit. When I sit down to play or practice, I often even choose the S-90 over my 1897 Steinway B. That's partly because it has some incredibly hip built in drum loops that are fun to blow over. But it also just sounds so damn good.

If you want the closest thing to a real piano, you owe it to yourself to check out the S-90, especially since it is well within your stated price range.

For others who have less than $1000 to spend, keep your eye out for the discontinued Technics SX-P30. It sold new for under $1000, is incredibly lightweight for an 88 key weighted board (30 pounds?), very low profile/small footprint, and plays and sounds GREAT. Only one piano and two electric piano sounds, and hardly any features. But if you just need a cool sounding piano with a great action (second only to the S-90) it's worth looking for one in the used market.

17th May 2003	#9
littledog Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2002 Location: Boston area Posts: 874	Here it is: Yamaha S-90 At Guitar Center sells for $1899 (USD). This is the most realistic sounding and feeling piano, with the most expressive responsiveness of ANY electronic piano that I have ever played, and I have tried just about everything. The action is outstanding, and unlike everything else to date, each note is sampled at THREE different velocity levels, rather than the two levels that all the others have, making for a far more responsive touch. The Yamaha action is second to none. I greatly prefer it to the Roland/Kurzweil (and anything else I've tried) which are mostly based on the Fatar action. The Kurzweil actions are particularly unimpressive, at least to me. And as a bonus, you get about 1200 additional slamming sounds from the Motif palette. I have had hard core acoustic pianists who HATE all electronic pianos come into my studio and give grudging admirationto this unit. When I sit down to play or practice, I often even choose the S-90 over my 1897 Steinway B. That's partly because it has some incredibly hip built in drum loops that are fun to blow over. But it also just sounds so damn good. If you want the closest thing to a real piano, you owe it to yourself to check out the S-90, especially since it is well within your stated price range. For others who have less than $1000 to spend, keep your eye out for the discontinued Technics SX-P30. It sold new for under $1000, is incredibly lightweight for an 88 key weighted board (30 pounds?), very low profile/small footprint, and plays and sounds GREAT. Only one piano and two electric piano sounds, and hardly any features. But if you just need a cool sounding piano with a great action (second only to the S-90) it's worth looking for one in the used market.