It does not look like the G-70 is off to a good start after hearing the first impressions of George, Roel and others. I am still waiting for our local dealers to get this 76 key arranger.

Seems to me the Korg Pa1Xpro still rules.

If the new Roland is priced around $3000, I would ask potential buyers to look at alternate solutions. The most obvious one is the Yamaha P250 88 key stage piano with the Yamaha PSR3000 arranger. This combo has a street price of $3200. What you get is the best graded piano action keys with the best Grand Piano sample I have ever heard on a digital piano. Just play a few notes with the sustain pedal and immediately you will feel the difference as the special sample with sustain takes effect.

Get the free demo CD of the P series from Yamaha and listen to tracks 27 and 28 played on the P250.

The P250 is the closest that comes to a real acoustic grand both in terms of sound and touch. It also acts as a master controller with dual and split keyboard modes. Bye the way, the polyphony on the P250 is 128 notes.

Yamaha has cornered the arranger market with the PSR3000. Nothing sounds as good or has more features at a street price of $1400. It simply has no competition at this price range. Essentially, you are getting a Tyros for half the price.

This combo is a killer. I would go so far as to say that this is a better deal than even the flagship of the Clavinova series � the Yamaha CVP 309. You retain the quality of the sounds, most of the basic functionality, the superb feel and tone of a Grand and you have portability plus significant savings.

Damn, I should stop. I am sounding like a Yamaha salesman!

But seriously, if you were thinking of spending around three grand on a new arranger, you have to at least consider this option.

Tapas