For a new GT-1 you will still have to pay around EUR 6.000,-. But the upright versions, the GT-20 or GT-10, featuring a real mechanic of an upright are at a lower price.... if you can get one. Maybe on the second-hand market.

bebop603 wrote:

I would second the notion about the Kawai MP series: MP9000,MP9500, MP8, MP8II.  I have the MP9000 and really enjoy it with pianoteq, though not a super-portable keyboard at 73 pounds--but very high build quality with thick brushed aluminum and very nice wooden keys.  You can find some of these used on EBAY for <$1000. I got mine from Craigslist.

The action in those Kawais is not the same as the MP8-II. I went through the whole same audition process in the Denmark St shop and settled on that above all the others.  Bought from Thomann (as Rose Morris wouldn't match the price) and saved a bit of dosh but the exchange rate was somewhat better then.

I tried the Rolands, Yamahas, Korgs & Casios (one was surprisingly good given its budget price) and the MP8-II was the best for my particular touch. I didn't buy it for the onboard sounds (average) but purely to use as a master piano controller. Works a treat with Pianoteq. Yes, they are expensive but do occasionally come up on eBay. Just don't go bidding on one of the earlier Kawais as the action is not the same (heavier imho).

I found the others too heavy as well; too inhibiting for my fingers which are used to a lighter action. I ended up buying a Roland HP302 for the lighter touch and then saw an MP8 II on ebay for the same price (£1400). Ah well...

I would second the notion about the Kawai MP series: MP9000,MP9500, MP8, MP8II.  I have the MP9000 and really enjoy it with pianoteq, though not a super-portable keyboard at 73 pounds--but very high build quality with thick brushed aluminum and very nice wooden keys.  You can find some of these used on EBAY for <$1000. I got mine from Craigslist.

The action in those Kawais is not the same as the MP8-II. I went through the whole same audition process in the Denmark St shop and settled on that above all the others.  Bought from Thomann (as Rose Morris wouldn't match the price) and saved a bit of dosh but the exchange rate was somewhat better then.

I tried the Rolands, Yamahas, Korgs & Casios (one was surprisingly good given its budget price) and the MP8-II was the best for my particular touch. I didn't buy it for the onboard sounds (average) but purely to use as a master piano controller. Works a treat with Pianoteq. Yes, they are expensive but do occasionally come up on eBay. Just don't go bidding on one of the earlier Kawais as the action is not the same (heavier imho).

Benormerod, I couldn't help noticing you were bidding on a Studiologic VMK 188 plus on Ebay today (so was I !!).. did you win? I saw it went for £205 - good price.

That's amazingly cheap for such quality controller!!

Benormerod, I couldn't help noticing you were bidding on a Studiologic VMK 188 plus on Ebay today (so was I !!).. did you win? I saw it went for £205 - good price.

Nooo; it was very awkward for me, I was out of the country today, and am going off again for two weeks on Thursday, so my heart wasn't really in it. I also got the feeling that someone else wanted it very much and would go higher than I was willing to.

I do have a Studiologic SL-880 which I acquired 2nd hand as I suggested above, and which you are welcome to come try out if you like.  Shoot me an email if you're still in town

That is very kind; sadly I didn't get your post until I was boarding the ferry back to the uk...

Also, your audio gear will make a big difference with Pianoteq.  For headphones, pick the Senn HD600 or AKG 701.  If you don't have a pro-level audio interface like RME fireface, then you will also need a headphone amp (or receiver output) to get the most out of these.  Audio Interfaces like the Echo series, Apogee duet,etc. can't really drive the phones to their full potential.

Thanks for spotting that; I went to the site and I don't see Fatar there, but I'd certainly be willing to take a trip to Liverpool to try out some keyboards, as they seem to have some good stock.

They currently only list the Numa: http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/brand/fatar/

I live in Amsterdam   But unfortunately I'm not aware of any music showrooms large enough to carry soundless master keyboards.

I do have a Studiologic SL-880 which I acquired 2nd hand as I suggested above, and which you are welcome to come try out if you like.  Shoot me an email if you're still in town: chris /\ doobya \/ com

Edit: you can try this shop http://www.midi-amsterdam.nl/contact.html but I'm not sure they have (m)any keyboards in the showroom.

Dolphin Music seems to be a prominent UK music e-tailer, they carry the Numa and have a couple showrooms in Northern England...  Maybe that's an option?

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/contact-us/index

Thanks for spotting that; I went to the site and I don't see Fatar there, but I'd certainly be willing to take a trip to Liverpool to try out some keyboards, as they seem to have some good stock.

This is tempting...

I'm in Amsterdam today and my meeting finished early, so I've been googling for a store that stocks Fatar; can I find one?...

http://www.fatar.com/scegli.htm

Dolphin Music seems to be a prominent UK music e-tailer, they carry the Numa and have a couple showrooms in Northern England...  Maybe that's an option?

http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/contact-us/index

You might also just want to look at a second hand Studiologic keyboard on e.g. eBay.  If the seller is nearby, you might be able to test-drive it, and if not (and you can get it shipped for a reasonable price) you'll still have a decent keyboard to get started with, which has resale value, and around which you can easily build up a rig (just add a stand and a pedal system like the CME GPP-3: http://www.forum-pianoteq.com/viewtopic.php?id=7).

I must say that Kawai MP5 and MP8-II have an amazing touch and mechanics. Especially MP8-II, with real wood keys.

Also all the weighted Studiologics! A good one (and comparatively cheap for that kind of controller) to pick would be Studiologic VMK-188 plus, it even gives you sliders and faders to control Pianoteq in realtime if you will!

I agree about those particular Kawais, not quite right but very near  - preferred the mp5 as the mp8-II was a tad heavy - or was I being too kind to my 20-year-out-of-practice fingers..?, but its the price, beyond me and I think would max out Benormerod's budget too. I've read reviews about various Studiologic keyboards and want to try, but I can't. Where are they?

Also all the weighted Studiologics! A good one (and comparatively cheap for that kind of controller) to pick would be Studiologic VMK-188 plus, it even gives you sliders and faders to control Pianoteq in realtime if you will!