VPC1 for sale

Good question. Action on YDP-143 more even velocity wise but easier pianossimos on VPC1. I wish to try/purchase a Roland A88 controller keyboard which is my reason for sale.

Kindest Regards,

Chris

It is ridiculous and absurd to compare the lowest quality plastic Yamaha key action in YPD 143 and also bad and sluggish Roland A88 plastic key action with excellent wooden key action and mechanism in Kawai VPC1 and also beautiful and strong build.

i'm a professional pianist (and former fortepianist), have & work with a Roland A88 (a solid workhorse used for daily practice, teaching, accompanying, and occasionally performing), and find it to be quite an excellent controller and wonderful instrument in combination with Pianoteq.  i've not noticed any sort of "bad" or "sluggish" qualities to the action (& i've played on lots & lots & lots of different actions in over two decades as a working musician), & so have no idea what slobajudge is basing his impressions on.  is the A88 a completely convincing reproduction of a modern grand's action?  no, of course not.  but with a proper velocity curve and touch settings then it certainly is nicely (even, gasp, artistically) up to whatever i might throw at it, from (including only repertoire intended for an instrument that plays both soft & loud ) CPE Bach to Ravel and everything in between.  It is true that the keys are plastic (albeit of seemingly pretty high quality with simulated ivory feel), but so much the better then, i say, in that they're thus not susceptible to warpage, swelling, deregulation, etc on account of ambient climate (and, where i live in asia, that is no mean consideration, believe me!)...
in short, i think you'll be well happy with an A88.

Hi there,

I own a A88 since 2013. It is my gig board and I use once a week in the rehearsal room with my jazz combo. I'm an experienced amateur, classically trained, trying to play jazz since 2008.

I never used the a88 for daily practice. Nevertheless I like it! When it comes to portability it is certainly the best lower weigh controller on the market. Its biggest (but to me its only) limitation lies in the shortness of the keys.

The issue is interesting! I will soon need a controller for daily practice and of course consider getting a vpc1. I'm wondering what advantages it could supply over my a88.

Roland actions a not everybodies cup of tea. Many love it, many say they are muddy... It's just very subjective.

Cheers

TJ

This is performed on my a88 with PT:

https://m.soundcloud.com/tj76/mendelsso...ohne_worte

Roland Ivory Feel G key action is old and lowest quality key action of Roland. It is bad and sluggish compare to VPC (the same as Yamaha GHS) and this is understandable and thats why its cheap. You can play on them without problem though. VPC key action is near top high quality key actions. I have them and play them all. When somebody (Sigasa) say that he wants to sell Kawai VPC for Roland A88, then the only conclusion is that maybe he need a synth instead of piano. Let him say what he doesnt like on VPC and then we know what to tell him as a valid sugestion if he wants that. You can drive to one location with better and worst car, is that make them equal ?

To be perfectly honest, I have played on lots and lots of different keyboards and the one I found to be most like a grand piano was the NUMA Nero. Shame about velocity issues. However Fatar/Studiologic have put an upgraded version of the TP40WOOD in their SL88 GRAND keyboard. Would anyone like to comment on the SL88 GRAND (someone who owns one/plays one regularly)?

Kindest Regards,

Chris

Document away - its always going to be useful to others doing the same thing later.

Hi all,

Hopefully I shall begin work today. Spent time yesterday experimenting etc..

Will report back as soon as I've completed the key and hammer removal, hammer labelling and cleaning,

Kindest Regards,

Chris

Hi all,

Have cleaned just over a quarter of the keyframe and base from key 01 to key 29. Each of the hammers from 01 - 29 are now numbered. Have cut up box cloth with the cutting device I made 27 years ago whilst studying piano tuning, maintenance and repairs. All paper balance rail bushings from 01 - 29 are now under the felt bushings. I have begun cutting box cloth per key and have glued to the back of some keys (will do all 29 keys today all being well) with UNIBOND - NO MORE NAILS Wood Adhesive. These keys have been put back on the keybed after having cleaned the hammer pivot, let-off simulation stem and capstan and after having applied silicone grease to the pivot and Teflon powder to the box cloth (back of key), the balance and front rail bushings and the balance hole.

I'll post more on the results of this work tomorrow.

Hope this helps,

Kindest Regards,

Chris

They are fine keyboards - I'm just very fussy!!!

Kindest Regards,

Chris

Dear all,

I hadn't realised but the gradation of the hammers of the VPC1 is linear. Also the hammer height varies linearly which means the treble throw is greater than that of the bass when the hammers sit on the key-top hammer rest pads. Therefore, I wish to replace these hammer rest pads with a suitable linearly graduated substitute. Any tips would be hugely welcome,

I also found a better way to regulate the capstan/hammer height which involves the hammers sitting on the pads mentioned above - this being the reason I wish to replace them (the pads) with a linear graduated alternative.

Kindest Regards,

Chris

EDIT:

Upon further thought and study, I now realise that the best way to regulate the hammer height is as I'd previously concluded - close to the 'string' and at the point where the hammer ceases to blubber. After having upgraded capstan box cloth, reamed balance holes, Teflon powdered all friction points including balance hole, and cleaning hammer pivot of original grease and replacing with silicone (plumbers) grease, I regulated a number of keys - the result of which is an extremely consistent velocity response. However, I have had to be as extremely accurate with my regulation because of the accuracy of Kawai's velocity sensors. In short, very pleased!

Kindest Regards,

Chris

Thank you. Very interesting.

Ah, delrin, the stuff the quills were made of in my harpsichord .............

Hi all,

Previous post getting a bit long...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/y6s00dqax0ows....jpeg?dl=0
This image is to give some idea of what the keys could look like after Delrin is inserted at the balance mortise. Instead of decorative veneer which I may use later on in the project, I have demoed with brown paper adhesive tape. As you can see, there would be no indication of any kind of bushing being present and I personally like that. Of course it's a matter of personal taste in the end. However I think it looks better without staples on the top!!!

Kindest Regards,

Chris

Well now!  We all know one thing for sure.

The keybed of a VPC1 lasts for only 4 years before needing refurbishing!  Perhaps only two if you`re into rocking it . . .

Yes, I think I`d prefer Yamaha`s GHS as well.  Or I could get a VPC1 and sell it after a couple o` years.  The same will apply to the other Kawais employing this and the other solid wood action?

Ok. We'll this has come as a big, big revelation to me.

I decided to halt the key bushing procedure(s) and do some experimentation. I began looking at the key throw distance differences between blacks and whites. I then decided to equalise them which involves increasing the height of the blacks at the balance rail using shim washers (plastic ring binder page hole reinfocers in this case) and adjusting the capstan accordingly to the point that when key travels from at rest point to bottom out point, the hammer travels from at rest point on pad atop key to 'string' (felt).

I have nearly finished this process (from bass to key 69) and am blown away by the difference this adjustment has made to the playability of the VPC1. I showed my wife this morning and she was gobsmacked (a term we use in the UK to describe astonishment and surprise). I have been playing the instrument a lot today and am just revelling in the feel of it. It helps having Modartts new Piano Room 1 reverb which adds so much to the delight of playing the Bluthner Concert Recording AB preset now.

Consequently, I'd like to set the record straight and say quite catagorically that the VPC1 - properly regulated - has to be one of the best (if not, the best) piano controllers ever produced - period. I'd love to be able to sit all forum members and Pianoteq users in front of one and allow you to experience the authenticity of this fine work of craftsmanship. It certainly blows the GHS out of the water and some.

I think the next best thing might be a video or videos, maybe one showing the technique of raising the blacks (and whites actually, though to a lesser degree) and another to demonstrate the sound of Pianoteq now achievable. Needless to say, I'm not going to continue with bushing replacement and shall probably just plug the ones already done with 'plastic wood', redrill mortises and balance holes and rebush with bushing cloth. I'll keep you all posted anyhow.

Don't part with your VPC1.

Kindest Regards,

Chris