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#123260 - 05/02/03 01:48 AM Keyboard Festival Report . (UK)
Graham UK Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 01/20/01
Posts: 1925
Loc: Lincolnshire UK
Seven days report. Keyboard Festival Caister On Sea. Norfolk. UK.
Nothing really new to get excited about in this report. Yamaha stated they have 15 new models this year, but apart from additional features added to the PSR1100 .PSR2100 and Clavinova all the other models related to low priced starter boards.

KORG. Displaying the BX-3 Organ, very compact cased spinet requiring amplification & speakers. PA80 & PA 60 were attracting the keyboard enthusiast and sounding as good as ever. I asked about the new Pa-X. The Korg demonstrator having already seen and played it said it had color touch screen. Sliders from previous i3 & i30 have returned giving live playing individual volume adjustment to voices and Accompaniment parts and a BIG plus. When switching to Organ Flutes these sliders revert for use as Drawbars. ( Magic)
2 versions. 61 notes with speakers or 76 notes without speakers. Plus it contains a CD-Writer.Sounds like being a keyboard worth further investigations. Approx £2.499 UK Pounds

WERSI. Had their large road show articulated truck with folding down side stage. The new product here was the GP1000 Giga Piano, but so new even the distributor did not have any specification details.

YAMAHA. As stated above 15 new models ???? The PSR 2100 was demonstrated, there are a few additional styles plus extra features over the 2000 to improve things at no increase in price. (£1150 UK available June) If you have a PSR2000 already I do not consider its worth changing yet.
Glynn Madden previously an Organ player, in concert played a keyboard combination. Tyros Top and PSR9000 Lower. Following on with this theme one of the Yamaha demonstrators had built a small cabinet containing a low priced PSR292 (£199 UK) with Tyros laying very closely over the top so just the 292 keys were showing. No sounds were played from this board, it was midi linked to trigger the ACC & lower voice of the Tyros. Good idea for anyone wanting a dual manual for a very low price outlay.

ROLAND. Were concentrating on demonstrating the Diskcover 5. They were tight lipped when I asked about the new arranger board possibly out later this year. ????

Two highlights of the week for me were one. PETER BAARTMANS. (Holland Yamaha) This young man provided excellent evening concert and product daytime clinic demonstrations. A very funny and talented musician. The second being the lunch time and evening Hammond Jam Sessions. B3 with live drummer.
The week overall even without many new products was a very enjoyable 7 days. With new products pending from both Roland & Korg the forthcoming few months are going to be interesting. Before anyone asks I have no pictures.

Graham UK.


[This message has been edited by Graham UK (edited 05-02-2003).]

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#123261 - 05/02/03 05:38 AM Re: Keyboard Festival Report . (UK)
RicFreak Offline
Member

Registered: 08/07/02
Posts: 135
Loc: Italy
Graham, I've echoed the PA-X part of your message to IRISHACTS forum.

I hope this is not a problem.

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#123262 - 05/02/03 05:43 AM Re: Keyboard Festival Report . (UK)
Dnj Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
Graham,

Thanx for the great review of the festival. I wish I was there to see it. Sounded like a good time for all.

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#123263 - 05/02/03 05:46 AM Re: Keyboard Festival Report . (UK)
The Pro Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 07/09/02
Posts: 1087
Loc: Atlanta, Georgia
Thanks for the report Graham. It sounds like the festival was lower key than previous years? Or maybe you're just tired from a week of partying? Damn, we have nothing like that here in the States... I'd love to take a week off and do nothing but enjoy checking out keyboards and related stuff. Maybe worth a UK trip.
_________________________
Jim Eshleman

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#123264 - 05/02/03 08:00 AM Re: Keyboard Festival Report . (UK)
Starkeeper Offline
Member

Registered: 09/16/02
Posts: 1704
Loc: Toronto
The PA-X at $2499 UK pounds is aprox $4000. US and $5700 Cdn. Is my math correct?
What about the accoustic piano on the PA-X? It better be good at $5700 CDN.
Starkeeper
_________________________
I play Roland EM20 and Yamaha PSR550

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#123265 - 05/02/03 09:48 AM Re: Keyboard Festival Report . (UK)
Graham UK Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 01/20/01
Posts: 1925
Loc: Lincolnshire UK
Regarding my report and the Pa-X. I forgot to mention it includes a CD Writer. Its cheaper than the Tyros plus the Tyros price rises 1st May by £100 UK.
I did not mention all the products on show, but the list was CASIO.FARFISA.HAMMOND.KELTON.KORG.LOWREY.ORLA.ROLAND.TECHNICS.THOMAS.WERSI.YAMAHA.

Bill Irwin had a contingent of 34 from USA They spent the week at the Festival then this following week they will be in Paris. Its bill's 4th party visit.

Graham UK

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#123266 - 05/02/03 09:54 AM Re: Keyboard Festival Report . (UK)
Dnj Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 09/21/00
Posts: 43703
Graham,

can you give us more info on the Bill Irvin trip to the festival, prices, itinerary etc?
sounds like a nice trip.

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 05-02-2003).]

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#123267 - 05/02/03 10:14 AM Re: Keyboard Festival Report . (UK)
Graham UK Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 01/20/01
Posts: 1925
Loc: Lincolnshire UK
Bill Irwin web site, click link below.
Bill does answer his e-mails, so give him a call.
http://theatreorgans.com/uk/irwin/

Graham UK

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#123268 - 05/02/03 12:13 PM Re: Keyboard Festival Report . (UK)
Starkeeper Offline
Member

Registered: 09/16/02
Posts: 1704
Loc: Toronto
The price of the Tyros is aprox $3000 U.S. If the price of the Korg is $4000.00 U.S, that's alot more. Am I converting the price correctly?
I'm using this web site to do the conversion: http://www.alcanseek.com/currency.html
Starkeeper
_________________________
I play Roland EM20 and Yamaha PSR550

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#123269 - 05/02/03 12:29 PM Re: Keyboard Festival Report . (UK)
Graham UK Offline
Senior Member

Registered: 01/20/01
Posts: 1925
Loc: Lincolnshire UK
Tyros price in UK with Speaker Pack is now with the recent increase £2700 UK Pounds.
The Korg Pa-X I was told would be Approx £2499. If the Tyros is $3000 Dols its much cheaper for you than it is here in the UK.

Graham UK

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