I now have an old Roland E-36 autoacompaniment keyboard and would like to buy a new one. I use the autoaccompaniment when I play the cajun accordion and my wife changes the chords with a bass pedal PK5 on the E-36 when I play the pedal steel guitar. I would like some suggestions as to what keyboard would give me the best styles for 50's to 80's country music. dontess@home.com

Hi Dben,

An important 'input parameter' is missing :
"How much money do you have to spend ?"

There are soo many arranger keyboards on the market and the best thing is to make visits to all music-stores in your neighbourhood. (I hope there are some ?)

I own an SD1 made by Ketron and I think the Country styles are excellent.

Roel

I realize that I would have to spend at least $2000 US. My max would be $4000.
Don

Don,
Get the 9kpro - it's so good at what you want. I LOVE mine.

Hi dben.

I think Roel give you a really good advice here, and if we all now start
up the "choir" abut "my keyboard is the best" refrain again, then
probably both you and me going to be more confused than ever.

I think you will find that most of the brands available in the new series
of keyboards today is really something.
You have to make a list about what you wish to find and your way of use
the keyboard. Then visit the shops and try out or maybe make a deal for
borrow and try out at home before you buy one.
Also look out for what accessories and software available for your needs.

I.e. if you only use the "onboard" rhythms to play along, and don't make
any editing or make new ones by yourself it might be one brand to prefer
and "vice versa".
(Many of the keyboards do have a great library of styles on diskettes avail-
able to buy for "add on", so that should not be any reason for why to buy
this or that keyboard).

Your description about what styles you use most, and if that is one of your
no.1 wishes and needs, and if a warmth sounding keyboard is what you desire
and looking for, then it's maybe a little more easy for you to make a choice.
But again, it's the ear who listen (not to forget who's playing) and every
single persons taste who make all this colourful meanings and discussions.

I guess that you've already read most of the topics at the forum, and also
found out about many of the "adverts", reflections and advices about this and
that to compare and sort out.

All the best and Good Luck in your
hunt for a new "partner & bandmember".

GJ

Hi guys,
I think what Don's asking us here is which Kb leans more toward country music, rythmns & country lead voices such as a lot of guitars ,pianos,& lots of string insterments.
And we all know that not ever keyboard has a
lot of country rythmns, at least not the older style. It's even hard to find them to download from the web! Oh sure you can find Country Music! But it's not like the old country rythmns from the 50's, 60's, & 70's. Yea I no some would say it's much better! I can't agree with that!
I don't dislike todays country music.
But it's not better it's different! As different as night & day. What do you guys
think? I'm expecting you to tell me!!
Just my 2cents worth!
Gods Speed,
Nobby



[This message has been edited by Nobby (edited 08-08-2001).]

Of all the keyboards I've owned and tried, the PSR9000 is the "most country" out of the box. It has all the lead sounds, and most of the styles.
Of course any of the keyboards can be taught to play country. Most of them are good at the newer stuff, but the older basic styles are what's usually missing. Fortunately they are easy to make, if you can't find them on the internet somewhere.
I don't see how you can really go wrong with any of the modern crop of keyboards. Some just suit different people better than others.
DonM

Nobby...You have hit the nail on the head about what I want! I will take some samples to some music shops in Vancouver and see which one most closely matches what I am looking for. I don't mind making up my own styles as long as it is not too time consuming.

Don

Don't forget to try out a VA7/76 ROLAND KEY-
BOARD.They have several good styles as preset
and more than 600 on the ZIPdisk.If you do
want make or change styles yourself it will
take some time on every keyboard.The topin-
struments from more than one factory are
great but they are different.Make the choice
after trying them out if possible.

What is the best module available now with country styles, especially shuffles.