Trident,

You would best talk with Diki about the G-70 and how to upgrade it, and, get the most out of it.

He knows more about the instrument than anyone else I know...he can give you all kinds of tips, shortcuts and workarounds.

You can check here as well.

http://www.roland-arranger.com/smf/index.php

If I was buying a G-70, I would consult him before and after the sale.

All the best of luck with your purchase.

Ian

Since the weight isn't an issue I'd go with the Roland- 76 keys and better feel well allow you to grow more technically.

But really go with the one you think sounds best- only you can decide that!

Good luck

You've got mail Nick

At that price, as long as it in good condition, I would get it if I were you. BUT... only if I had played an S910 first.

There's a difference between technology and 'sound'... the latest technology doesn't necessarily mean the 'best' sound. Roland's and Yamaha's seem to come from almost two different planets!

IMO, Roland have a VERY punchy 'in your face', live band sound. Yes, it's heavy, but the reason for much of that is firstly, a BIG, smooth, fantastic feeling, semi-weighted (by that, I mean a cross between standard good plastic keyboards - MoXS, M3, FantomG, etc. and fully weighted piano actions), great feeling action, quite definitely the BEST plastic action I have ever played... piano shaped blacks, but smoother shaped whites, so good for piano AND organ (most piano actions catch your hands on the whites doing smears on organ). Highly recommended (if action makes any difference to you).

Advantages to the S910 come with a MUCH better guitar section, and some very nice lead sounds, SA sax particularly good. Piano I would give a BIG edge to the Roland, though. Unless you like overly bright, thin piano sounds. I tend to like warm and detailed at low velocities. The Yamaha stays bright and cold even at low velocities.

Styles tend to be busier with Yamaha, very full and nicely done, but not so much room for YOU to play. They tend to 'do it all for you' stuff, whereas Roland styles leave a bit more room for you...

The Roland is expandable, and I would recommend adding an SRX board at some point. There's a couple with some GREAT sounds you might really like.

Yamaha's technology is definitely more advanced than Roland, but other than the guitars, in a style, it's not that big an advantage. The sound, and once again, this is MY opinion (but shared by many that don't play Yamaha!), it's a bit on the bland side, very smooth (for a good adjective) and compressed (for a not so complimentary one!). More like listening to a CD than live musicians.

But with work, I am sure the S910 could be made more punchy...

Both keyboards are good. But at that price, the G70 is quite a bargain. Unless you have the same preference for ultra-lightweight action and CD compressed sound that some prefer, I'd go with the Roland. Some would have you believe that choosing Yamaha's MOTL arranger involves NO compromise. Less prejudiced posters might point out that the MOTL of ANY line is a compromise, but you'll seldom hear that from those that use them...

Ha ha...after that healthy dissertation, Diki, I'd ALMOST buy a G-70 myself, and that's saying a lot since I had one here for a few weeks and thoroughly enjoyed examining how Roland still does things, much as they did in the past when I used to demo them (the E-70 in particular).

For the most part, it's good to see they kept nearly all of the features that I thought were great(no chord sequencer, unfortunately).

I also think you might have convinced Trident, and hope no one else who is reading this forum tries to get the instrument in which he is interested.

Not a bad summation...not bad at all.

Ian

Thats a very nice evaluation Diki. You make some very good points there. Thanks for being so objective.

Hi Miden, thanks but i haven't received anything in my email?? "itsnickg@hotmail.com"

Hi Nick, thats the address I sent it to...I will try again..

Maybe if you try sending me one to mine I can respond...it may be your spam filter blocking Yahoo mail?? anyhoo mine is jodenmi yahoo com au


[This message has been edited by miden (edited 11-02-2010).]

Unfortunately, the available G-70 was taken a day before, and a second was in a very bad condition, boo hoo.

I want to thank you all for your info and help though, it is good to know you can rely on knowledgeable people who can share what they know.