Taike, yes, I did get the C1. About as close as you're going to get to a B3 at 33lbs. I'm playing some occasional gigs with a drummer and guitar player (we'd like to add a female jazz vocalist - for variety). The rehearsals are more fun than the gigs. I'm having a ball jamming with guys in their 20's (they're bright, talented, and drug-free). Unfortunately, I'm not up to gigging as often as they would like so I don't know how long this will last.

I could give you a run-down on the C1 but I'm sure you've already done your homework. Although great as a lightweight gigging substitute, without those drawbars, that big seat, those 25 pedals, and that great, expressive, long-throw expression pedal, you'll never delude yourself into thinking you're sitting behind a real B3.

Good luck with your search. The Roland is not a bad choice (given your situation regarding service/repair). I had a VK7 (traded in to Dan-O) and it sounded pretty darn good (weighed a ton, though ).

chas

Chas, I did listen to the C1 demos and read several reviews. All positive, mind you. I'm happy for you being so satisfied with it. Would be nearly impossible not to as it really does sound great.

Rehearsals can be a pain at any age. I used to have 2-hour rehearsals every Sunday for like five years or six years. At times fun, at times a royal pain especially when someone didn't show up. Yep, those guitar players with their backaches again although I would call them hangovers. But, hey, once those groupies start lining up you'll feel 20 years younger.

The Roland G70 and E80 are becoming more and more appealing but I'd opt for the former any time. Rather have 76 keys then another few extras that won't make that much of a difference.

Taike

Taike, I have a business associate in a little town outside Atlanta who I see about twice a year, and I absolutely want to contact Chas when I plan to take my next trip. I have a list of favorites here (You, UD, DonM, Stephen, Tony Mads, Nigel, Rory and others) but Chas, as far as common interests (music, politics, flying, social issues) is concerned, is top rate and thinks like I do. He's articulate and shares his beliefs and opinions in a literate, in-depth manner. I really look forward to a time when we can visit. I'd like to take the King Air down to let him see and maby fly it.

Just wish you and our little novice monk were closer. A visit would be great, but Laos is pretty far out of the range of the King Air.

Maby someday,


Russ

Taike.... For something with longevity, I can't recommend the Roland G70 too much... I had a G1000 prior to getting the G70, and gigged that day and night for about eight years, and sold it in perfect working condition (very nearly showroom condition!).

My current G70, aside from some power supply issues that were cleared up under warranty, is mechanically perfect after two years of heavy gigging at an outside beach deck in Florida. It looks like it will remain as tank-like (and tank-heavy, Ian!) as the G1000.

Yes, there are other, slightly more advanced OSs out there, but it is still hard to find a more live sounding arranger, nor an OS that makes 'tweaking' the styles and SMFs any easier. The key-bed is still the best of ANY plastic action on any keyboard (not just arrangers) at any price, and as the direct first order interface between you and your music, one of the most important considerations for any that consider themselves 'players', IMO...

I am even doing first call session work with it, as the piano handily beats my kurzweil, and in a mix, can stand up to our studio's Steinway on SOME material!

Unless Roland add a Chord Sequencer to the NEXT G-series (if there even IS one, rumors hint otherwise), I anticipate using mine for decades!

I AM a little puzzled as to your choice of either an arranger OR a C1, though. They seem such completely contrary tools. I can understand indecision between, say, a G70 and a PAX2Pro, but a B3 and an arranger seem to have totally different goals. Now.... put them TOGETHER, and you'll have a system that totally rocks! Trigger the arranger from the C1's lower manual, and jazz your brains out...!

But choosing one or the other seems to indicate really conflicted goals. Do you NEED automated backing, or not? If you don't have a rhythm section on call 24/7, the arranger would seem the more versatile tool. If you can't spring for a G70 AND a C1, we have a few members at roland-arranger.com that are using G70's with Nord Electro modules, for the ultimate in Hammond authenticity (the onboard G70 B3 sim is passable, but not up to the Nord's 'grease' factor!), AND an 'on call' rhythm section.

Best of luck with whatever you choose...

Taike, you may have already seen this, but I basically agree with everything this guy says. However, I think your concerns about service/repair are completely valid and I would be wary of getting anything other than the big three or at least something that I knew could be serviced locally. But read this anyway .
http://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-review...yType=ReviewDet ail

chas

PS: You know it's just a matter of time before Russ and I get together. He knows that he has an open invitation to my place (although I'd probably hound him to death for stories about such legends as Ray Brown plus those parts of the 60's he can remember ).

Hi Taike
You already know what you really want, so why not hang on a bit longer and save a few more Kips (LAK) and get what you�ve always wanted.
Think about it carefully

Bill

CHAS, thanks for the link and for your understanding. Service is indeed very important. Just don't want to take the risk but the C1 does look and sound great.

By the way, Eddie Landsberg is quite famous amongst (Jazz) Hammond enthousiasts in Japan. in fact, he's made Japan his home. I guess you're already aware of this?

RUSS, always welcome to the land of a Thousand Islands and Million Elephants. So far I haven't seen any elephants.

Now would that be something you flying over to Chas's. The way I know Chas, he's building a landing strip right in front of his house.

I'll send you email later today (Saturday here now 12:09AM).

DIKI, I guess there's a slight misunderstanding. Chas mentioned the C1 because of a comment of mine that a B3 would fulfill all my needs. While I would love a B3 or C1, it's the service I'm worried about. I am not pondering whether to get a C1 or a Roland. It's almost written in stone that it's going to be a Roland. At least I'll be getting a great kb that's built like a tank. In fact, I insist on having a kb that's built like a tank. Hey, at least we agree on all its good points. And ... I know whom to ask for help.

BILL, you got me there but a Wersi is way out of my budget. In fact, it costs about as much as a small house here. Would love to have another one but it won't be for now. And once again...service's the dilemma.

Taike