I am looking for a keyboard for under $800, I am just playing at home. I am interested in the piano voice and some organs mostly, not techno, or hip hop ect.. Don't need weighted keys.
Am consideing the following and appreciate you opinions since i cannot try these out and am stuck with mail order only.

Alesis Qs6.2 $599 leaning toward
Roland Rs50 $799 don't understand why it more than the Alesis
Are there other options I should consider in this range and how do these compare ???

The Roland RS50 is more than the QS6 because of it's sounds. The Alesis is now an older keyboard. The samples, although good, are from samples Alesis did several years ago. Alesis, although bought out last year by Gemini, a DJ equipment company, has re-introduced the QS line at lower prices but have not redesigned these keyboards. When Roland came out with the RS50 this year, they put in new samples from products like the Fantom, etc. So, comparing the pianos on the Roland vs the Alesis, I like the roland better. There is also a Yamaha S03 which sells for around $499.00. It too is a nice sounding keyboard, featuring many sounds from the S80 keyboard and also including XG sounds. As for the keyboards, the Roland and Alesis feel better than the Yamaha. Without looking at arranger keyboards such as the Yamaha DGX300 or the Yamaha PSR550, the Roland and Yamaha would be my best advice to you.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California

Thanks for the reply,
How about an option with a controler and module?? are there advantages to these?

How about the Kurzwiel Krzme1 or the new Kurzweil KME61 61-Key Keyboard
How do these compare or are they just stage pianos?

The Yamaha DGX500 is under $500, has excellent piano and organ voices, lots of keys, good styles, easy to use operating system and it looks good as well.

Good Luck,

Gary

[This message has been edited by travlin'easy (edited 11-09-2003).]

Sorry, i have gone the PSR arranger route and was left wanting.. the feel is not there unless i go to a Psr 2100

Have you tried CASIO WK-3000 ($299) ? The keyfeel and many of the sounds are great IMO. Although the rythms section is probably not as good as the PSR2100, etc.

But I think if you only play the sounds mostly, it's definitely should be considered. It has 76 keys and great internal speakers

..... uh, you're kidding right? 2100 has one of the WORST feels out there. You can't be serious, can you?

Compared to the psr 550 and models below (which have that delayed reaction feel) the 2100 is a dream!

Of course the psr2100 is a great keyboars, but it's well above your $800 price.

Have you considered the psr740? It's a great arranger keyboard, and I've seen it being sold on the web for $650 new.

Keyfeel on the cheapo WK-3000 is very acceptable. Much BETTER than PSR2000 series. And the piano sounds including some of the electric pianos are also better IMO. It's a joy to play that thing really.

For my money I'd check out the Roland RS50, the Yamaha DGX500 or Kurzweil SP76 or KM61. All three (4) have great sounds and are reliable.

I've heard positive things about the Alesis, but when I owned the QS8, I didn't like the pianos; too woody sounding for me. The other sounds didn't knock my socks off either.

[This message has been edited by cassp (edited 11-10-2003).]

Look on the music store discontinued merchandise websites..............I've seen a few PSR2000's for around $750.

Well the wife has approved me to spend up to $1400 which reallllly opens up (although i's like to stick in the $1-1100 range if possible) I have to say the Motif 6 piano voice are nice!
What is the best values in this range???

A Motif 6 is roughly $1,500 but maybe your wife will let you 'fudge' a little.

The Motif 6 is a good sounding Board but you have to be aware that the Polyphony is only 62 note. But you have the option to add more with the add-on expansion Boards. But that means an additional out of pocket expense. If you want to stay in the $1,000-1,100 dollar range for an Arranger I would say the PSR 2100 is hard to beat for price/value/features. If you want a non-Arranger for around the same price the Roland RS-70 may be a good choice. Some of the Manufacturers have .mp3 demos of their various Keyboards and an extensive "feature list" to give you a good idea of their features and capabilities. Check out www.korg.com www.rolandus.com www.yamaha.com etc. to see what they have to offer for your price range mike.

Best regards,
Mike

[This message has been edited by keybplayer (edited 11-10-2003).]