Hi all,

Always appreciate the great camaraderie and excellent advice shared so freely around here. Many thanks to all who contribute.

I'm looking into getting the Roland VA-7, but as one salesman put it to me, that I should rather get the VA-76. Because the VA-7 is the European version and Roland will not back it up with the warranty in the US. Does anyone know if there's any truth to that or is that just bull...?

There's another guy who tells me he'll sell the VA-7 to me with the warranty, but it'll cost the same as the VA-76. Around $2,200
elsewhere it sells it for around $1,500.

What does one do?
Did anyone here have a similar experience?

Gimme some help, advice, motivation and maybe a back rub too. That would be nice.

Thanks

Mike

[This message has been edited by MusicMan0075 (edited 10-29-2003).]

The Roland VA-7 was certainly a US keyboard. I bought mine from George Kaye in California. I really don't play it all, so I'm thinking about selling it. I hate to see it sitting around unused. I would also throw in the FC-7 foot controller. Email me privately, if you think you're interested.

Tom G.

My advice. Dont buy it new. Get a used one and you'll save bucks. I bought a demo VA5 and its as good as new....love it Roland VA's RULE

Just wait ....Roland should be coming out with a new arranger KB soon, if they follow their previous relases rumor has it.

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 10-30-2003).]

You're probably right. A guy in Sam-Ash told me that it looks like Roland will release a new board in Dec.

Mike

Are you talking about the Roland EXR-3/EXR-5 or some other new release?
Starkeeper

Perhaps it is EXR-5.
But bad news: no more morphing style in new EXR-3, EXR-5.
Why, Roland??? Why? It was so beutiful function!!!

No D-beam controller either. Maybe those features will be implemented on a yet to be released EXR-7 (pure conjecture). I have no insider info.
Starkeeper

Mike,
Both the VA7 and VA76 have been sold here in the USA. The VA7 was sold by the CK division of Roland (Contemporary Keyboard) and the VA76 by the regular or Pro division of Roland. The VA7 price dropped drastically about 11/2 years ago when CK decided to stop bringing them into the USA. A few months later, the Pro division brought in the VA76 at a much higher price, probably because Roland Italy wanted the US market to also sell what was already being sold in Europe.
The price was reduced about a month ago, I'm sure to move the remaining models in stock.
I have 3 VA76's left and will sell them at $1495.00 each. That's about $1,000.00 less then they were selling for a few months ago.
The difference with the VA76 over the VA7 is a much nicer and longer key. The keys have a semi weighted feel and is the nicest 76 keyboard on the market. Instead of the key having a metal weight glued ontothe bottom as most keyboard companies do the Roland is a one solid piece key. The black keys are also longer like a real piano and instead of being shinny as most are, the black keys are a duller finish and feel less slippery like a real piano. Also, there are dedicated keyboard part on and off buttons which the VA7 doesn't have. The VA7 makes you turn the sounds on and off from the touch screen only. There are 2 pads on the VA76 and no pads on the VA7. These pads can be programmed to do many different things.
The VA7 has built in speakers and the VA76 has no speakers. Some players like having the built in speakers to use as monitors. Both the VA7 and the VA76 are just about the same size. Because of the speakers, the VA7 with it's 61 keys is almost as long as the VA76 with it's 76 keys.
George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566

thanks for clearing it up for me.