Category: Jam Session
I’ve noticed lately musicians are using vintage keyboards in the music.
I did some research and learned that Alicia Keys started this mess with her video Superwoman.
Paul McCartney and Kayne West on Only One, Paul is playing a Fender Rhodes.
That track was just released, and I suspect this list is going to get longer.
I decided to see what keys are favorite among you here that play pro, or just for fun.
My list.
Nothing sound like a Rhodes, or feels like one to play. Straight out of the box, or modified, this keyboard is simply bad. You want to hear it shine take a listen to Stevie Wonder on Rocket Love.
Yamaha DX7. Yeah, yeah, they produced upgraded models, but the DX7 has a place in my soul.
Korg M1. On this baby you could lay out 8 tracks and build custom sounds with 8 layers of different instruments. Strip away all the technical language, and this board could keep you up all night.
It was really easy to use for a blind person as well. You can still get one. Set up your list of sounds, of a funky loop, bring it to the studio, or the gig, and you are simply hot!
I traded up to the X3, but still am in love with the M1.
B3 Hammond. Somebody pour me a beer and let’s make it scream! Church on Sunday morning. Can I get a hell yah, amen?
The B3 is simply the organ to be played next to a pipe. You can’t take a pipe with you, so…
Last, but not least, it plain feels good to sit down on the bench or a Steinway 5 or 6 feet grand piano. Rest your hands on these heavy weighted keys and start to stroke and soon you have gone to heaven. The sounds just deep, if that makes sense?
I don’t play classical, so I’m talking jazz, or any other type music.
Okay, there you have it, my favorites. Anybody join me?
Wayne,
I have had an M1 when I played pro, it was by far my favorite keyboard. I also love
playing a Steinway for classical, or jazz, of course I never owned one but had many
opportunities to play it. Such a sweet piano.
Since I haven't played pro in 15 years or so, I don't know the new boards out there, but I
would choose those if I ever got back into the scene. I love the sound of the Rhodes and
the Hammond as well, I don't know how they are to play but do enjoy using some of their
samples now in my recreational use.I can afford for a controller keyboard now is a digital
piano with weighted keys, at least it plays somewhat realistically but nothing touches the
real thing. I miss the good old days and so wish I had not sold all my equipment when I
stopped playing pro.
Victor
well, I play a tripple stack of keys. one of the best sets of keys, and I have
hurd this from lots of people who owned one of these, andI can say from
experience, that the Yamaha EX5 is one of the best set of keys you could ever
get your hands on. This thing can do more then pritty much all of the motifs
can. I also play a kasio 3000 that i've had for 11 years. it's been put through
hell and back, the speakers don't even work on it, so it has to go through an
amp pritty much. but it's still kicking ass. My final keyboard I play is a Roland
xp10. Not bad, but I only use it for verious effects. I have an xp50, but it's
pritty much out of commition. I have a newer kasio, but I don't know the mottle
of it, and I also have a Yamaha portable grand, 88 keys. I have had experiences
with the b3, and yes, it's great.
I want one of those combo organs and a fender piano bass. Oh and a mellotron.
Wayne I like your selections. I haven't played pro in 19 years or so. I do love the acoustic piano but anymore probably wouldn't buy one so as not to have to worry about tunings. I loved my Rhodes 73 though. Beautiful thing that was!
Your other selections are good too, I'd add I got a chance to play on a Prophet 5 from the 70s once, but part of it was broken. They could really create a wonderful warm sound.
I've played many, but these are my favorites even now.
When it comes to acoustic pianos, Boston is my all-time favorite. Concerted once on a 12-foot Boston and what a beauty that was.
I'm currently looking and lusting after many 88-key keyboards right now. A Korg M1 would be beautiful if I could find one, or an updated version.
Many digital pianos don't have good vibes or harpsichord. I've always been partial to harpsichords and have played them on several occasions at Christmas time. It's different, and many pianists don't know how to play them properly.
Buttons, yes please buttons, whatever I get must have those. I don't want to fiddle and play on my computer just to play my keyboard.
Now there's the whole issue of affording one. Perhaps I'll try and see what eBay produces for a Korg M1. I forget if that one had a harpsichord in it.
Anyway I restored a Rhodes 73 when I was in college, and yes those things are absolutely beautiful. Something very organic about the way the hammer hits the tines and resonates off the row bars.
Now my kid's grown, although I'm still paying her way, and a certain itch has started to develop again. Not to go pro again, just to get a board with lots of decent sounds and play some again. I have a guitar that I'm not that good at and a ukulele, the same. But I was born and raised on piano including classical, and so keyboards are by far my main instrument. Neither my winds nor strings can truly replace that.
All I have is an old keyboard from the Radio shack. But, it cost over $300 and that's all the person could afford. Roland irritates me, because you have to be able to see to use it. I've seen one, and like the sound. But, not having all access, is a bummer.
Blessings,
Auntie Hot Wheels
I have a Roland FP7F digital piano. it's got a whole bunch of buttons on it, but I've yet to figure out how to work half of it. I really wish I had someone with sight handy to teach me how, or someone who had some experience with this thing. I know it can record, and I'd love to be able to lay down a drum track or a loop, then play and/or sing over top of it. It has a built-in looper and mic capability, which is neat. It sounds just the slightest bit tinny in the middle octaves, but otherwise it's pretty good for an electric. I like it well enough. I definitely don't have the experience some of you others do.
I loved the FP8 board. It had no harpsichord sound but second to that it had
most everything I could want. Just no harpsichord and no vibes. If it's like the
FP8 I could tell you how to use it.
Find the row of buttons that are all consecutive. The first is piano, second
electric piano, third strings and fourth percussion. Ah yea it does have vibes.
Select the one you want and then use the two buttons to the left of that row to
select the instrument. Each kind has five. Damn I could just kiss an FP8 I loved
that thing so much.
Well, you all got me beat. I just know the Radio Shack brand I have. LOL
Blessings,
Auntie Hot Wheels
I have a Roland xp10 and xp50, along with my e x 5 and my casio wk3000
Nah, the FP7F isn't laid out like that. I can change instruments no problem. I just can't record or set up loops or whatnot. The FP7F has two or three harpsichords; they aren't brilliant, but not bad either. Some of its organs are great, but honestly a lot of its sounds are substandard. Something more arranger-like, such as the Tyros models from Yamaha, kick serious ass with regard to detail. Hell, you can hear slides and finger-picking and fret sounds and body resonance with acoustic guitar voices on that machine; it's nuts.
I agree. I've hurd them. if I could afford one of those things I'd get one for sure but good lord the price is just way too high! my e x 5, back when they were making them back in 98 or so would have cost probably somewhere in the neighborhood of a thousand bucks or a bit more. somehow I end up with all the good workstations, but I love it!
Do they publish anywhere which have buttons and which don't? If I do buy
online I want to make sure I get something that has buttons. I'm not so sure
I'm as concerned with exact weighted keys action anymore. I know I used to
be, when I practiced hours and hours a day to maintain the kinds of chops
needed to play a lot of 1970s and 80s keyboard music. But anymore I would be
doing it just to do it. So the quality of the sounds would matter. Also I'd need to
get an amp I imagine. I know Crate keyboard amps used to be some of the
best, their cabs made for a nice resonant tone. I've plugged keys into guitar
amps, but unless it's a real Fender Rhodes it's not good for the amp and IMHO
the sound is substandard.
Nothing in my opinion can copy the sound of a Fender Rhodes .
You've got the springs clicking, and they never vibrate exactly the same depending on your pressure on the keys.
You can record it, but for physical reasons,know one has been able to digitize it, for me.