I've been reading with curiosity many threads where the G70 has been mentioned. Most of the posts seem positive (Diki and Fran not withstanding). From what I have been reading the sounds are great, the styles are good, the features are terrific.

I just don't understand why this board, other than the weight issue, is not more popular with arranger players????

What gives; Inquiring minds want to know.

Have you been able to play one in person? If know, your reason why may help you and others understand the issue and get an answer to your question.

1. Weight is the biggest issue (I think)
2. Availability
3. Older board now
4. A bit contemporary in styles for some
5. No speakers
6. Individual tastes

It should be noted that when the G70 first came out, it took quite a bit of tweeking to get it to sound decent. This was unfortunate, as first impressions are so important. This put a dark cloud around it's debut IMO. The subsequent OS releases made a world of difference, but, by then a great many potential buyers were gone.

Bernie

Just a little feedback. A few players will spend time working and understanding different brands OS. Other who are locked into a produce like Yamaha as an example just won't give or spend the time learning a new OS. It's just easier to keep to what one knows.

When we attend the twice a year seven night keyboard festival UK ( 800 + keyboard players ) A number sit in the Yamaha room day after day and never move around the festival to see the competitors products to even know what else is on offer.
There are no bad keyboards today and it's down to personal preference, but Yamaha do spend a lot of money on promotion and demonstration personnel into events to sell products.
At our keyboard festivals Korg do a very good job, but Roland don't appear interested by not supporting the Roland dealer in attendance.

For me, it's really because the local music shops don't carry any Roland arrangers. I personally never cared for Roland again after owning the EM2000.

another point of view: maybe G70 is just a little bit too professional for most of the keyboard players... just as 2x pro, or tyros.

most of the players are happier with onboard speakers, cheap price, simple interface, easy play, and so on.

note that i did not speak about this forum players, but generally speaking!

Out of the box the keyboard didn't sound great to me at all. Even after tweaking the sounds it still only sounded marginal.

When I attempted to pick it up that was the clincher. I'll never understand why in this era of space-age materials that are much stronger than steel, a manufacturer would continue to build an arranger keyboard out of pig iron. I've had boats that weigh less than the G-70.

The final straw was service and availability. The only independent dealer in my part of the world has long since stopped carrying Roland keyboards. Sales and service on the board, at least where I live, are non-existent.

Cheers,

Gary

Who cares?..

As long as Bernie, Diki, Tom, Dreamer,Richard,and I are glad we have G70's...

The G70 is durable..the "pig iron" body helps...

Service is seldom..if at all needed..key contacts and buttons do not fail as other leading products do..

"Sounds" are just as good as any other brand..same with the "contemporary styles"

"Operating system" and storage design is second to none...


That leaves the only confirmed issue..."the weight"....and if we compare to any other quality instrument...it is in line at 46 pounds...

The negative start of the G70,,,the unfinished (to most ears)initial release..sound wise.....and the decision not to market in the MI division......is the single culprit for a slow sales start..

Anyone..and I mean anyone that stayed with the G70...and actually learned how to use the instrument...found it to be great in every department....sounds (including organ and piano), styles, mic input and harmonizer,key feel and range, editing, USB transfer, and USB midi control.....

Personally I can't find a single fault that would make me say I am not happy with the G70.......not even the weight....

Now if my case didn't have wheels...I may complain a little about the weight..

Touch Screen...no tactile feedback...many people don't like to use them...including me.

The weight seems to be the biggest issue...the OS can be fathomed with patience (and hopefully, more updates)...but, since both Yamaha and Korg can make lighter instruments with neither loss of quality or durability, there is NO excuse for the excess poundage of the G70 (and E-80).

I didn't like the G-70's keybed, but then again, I don't like semi-weighted actions, nor do I like aftertouch...give me a light action, like the PSR, or weighted hammer.

It sold very poorly in my area, mainly due to lack of promotion and no regional clinicians.

Ian