I have to confess, were Korg to increase the fills to be competitive with Yamaha and Roland, the way they are going is probably where I'll end up in a few years. But that one issue MUST be addressed before I climb aboard, and Korg have shown little interest in addressing this issue over the last few product cycles.

And before anyone jumps all over me to deny the problem, let me just say SURE, you CAN get by with two (and a break/fill), but not ONE of you would complain were there six or seven (or more!), would you? I rest my case...

Bill made a good point about the hammer action being unsuitable for other sounds.

I agree wholeheartedly.

The PA-588 wouldn't be my choice as an arranger...I like the 61-note light action on my S900...Piano is only one of the many sounds I use and when in arranger mode, 5 octaves work just fine for me.

Still, the PA-588 will find it's niche and garner many followers.

Ian

I agree for sure on this point.....
that is very affirmative.

I'll agree with the 88 comment, although there ARE a lot of pianists that just need adequate backing to make a great OMB... It sure hasn't stopped the piano from being good solo entertainment, despite being poor at a controller for other sounds (not to mention that a GOOD pianist is capable of much that can be done on plastic).

But given Yamaha's paranoia at even stretching out into 76 country, an 88 response seems unlikely.

Just remember, a piano player even WITHOUT any backing is capable of holding down some really solid solo gigs. Add a decent arranger with a good piano mode, and who needs a wanky sax solo?

Diki: You said it brother. As a pianist first, this thing looks great to me. Give me keyboard sounds to play on a keyboard. Throw in show good backing arranger stuff and I'm good to go. Extra playable sounds are nice (flute, guitar, oboe, accordian) but not critical. I'll take the extra weight for the built-in speakers too. Much more practical then Yamaha's Tyros bolt-ons. I don't need harddisk recorders, samplers or vocalizers either. Coming from the PA500 angle instead of the PA800 for an 88-key arrangers is right on target. This is a pianist's arranger!

Yamaha will have to pull something great out of their hat to want me to go from my T2 to the TBA T3 instead of this.

Way to go Korg!

chuckle..yep gotta agree..

Assuming that the PA588 will have the same sound engine, including the same piano sound as the PA500, I am wondering what comments those interested in the 88 key arranger would have

http://www.korgpa.com/pa_root/en/products/pa500_demo.html?en

[This message has been edited by Scott Langholff (edited 03-13-2008).]

Yep, some will find the piano sound their main source for gigging...but it had better be a damn good piano sound.

Since the PA-588 is based on the lower end PA-500, one would wonder just how useful the piano will be.

BTW...Yamaha does make 88 note arrangers...the CVP line...pricey, weighty, but definitely arrangers...they possess a terrific Graded Hammer action and a wicked piano sound.

Hey, those wanky sax solos...especially the Yamaha SA Sax, still have oodles of charm.


Ian

What does the 588 weigh? & does it still have all the problem issues fills that everyone is worried about on the PA models? or have they been fixed

I own a CVP 307 it is outstanding no doubt about it. try taking that baby to a gig, just not practical, too bad!

Scott my recent purchase of a PA2xPro with 76 keys has all I need to play those piano solos I couldn't with 61 keys. 4 months ago I would have been interested in the PA588, but the PA2xpro has what I was looking for in an arranger. The plan is to stay with it.