probably a medium to medium+ digital piano, preferably one with no 'gadget' features (I want the price to reflect sound quality and 'playability' (quality keybed). I'm satisfied with my current primary keyboards, a Crumar SEVEN 'Rhodes' and KeyB Duo MkIII 'organ' (I have a Legend EXP midied to a Nord C1 as a backup). I also have a Roland BK7m which I use as a (very capable) drum machine for practice and rehearsals when no live drummer is available. I have a Roland VP770 (harmonizer) midied to the BK7m to access the BK7m's internal sounds (mostly Brass), some of which are quite good.

I have several dated Arranger keyboards which are not in use and I have no desire to upgrade them at this time. Although I'm sure it's feature-rich (from an arranger players POV), I have to admit that I was underwhelmed with the few demos that I viewed of the new PA5x. The sounds are very good (as expected) but the styles left me uh, un-impressed. To my ears, they don't sound any more LIVE than any previous iteration. Although a good player plus some knowledge-based tweaking can improve the 'live' quality, the same can be done on previous models. The question is; do the improvements justify a 5k cash outlay?.

In any case, MY next keyboard purchase will be the best digital piano I can get in the $2500-3500 range. I know that a number of you have DP's and I would welcome your suggestions.

SO WHAT WILL YOUR NEXT KEYBOARD PURCHASE BE?

chas

BTW, I haven't checked lately, but have keyboard prices suffered from the same inflationary price increases as everything else?