Fran,
I own both a Sd-1 Ketron and a G70. The build quality and key feel is outstanding on both. I do have the Sd-1 for sale and after a mid April gig the G70 is going on the block. They are both too heavy for this guy. I am an organ player and key feel means squat to me. I know Don M. feels the same way as do many others here.

Tom

Tommy sounds like the new BK9 would work well for your needs...

This keyboard has the SuperNATURAL logo on it and it has four buttons above the pitchbend lever to use with the SuperNATURAL sounds. It would be nice if it has the SuperNATURAL sounds of the Jupiter 80 or the Integra 7.

The organ series where the first to introduce super natural sounds

I play may s910 at most NH gigs because of weight, but keep my G-70 on hand because of that performer's enjoyment factor. It is certainly the most impressive keyboard I've ever played or owned.

Now, would I switch for BK-9? Hell, I don't even know what it looks like, let alone know any of its features. If, as Fran says, it is really a MOTL at a MOTL price I could be interested. Fran, my #3 G70 is always for sale, as is everything I have. Just hit the right price button.

I would like to add my 2 cents, the only way that Roland can seriously make a comeback to the arranger market is to include at least 1 gig Sample Ram, and make it compatible with previous models styles, now what's so hard about that? maybe a style converter built in like the KN series of the Technics?

Roland have never needed a style converter to play older Roland styles.

Speaking of styles, does anyone know if the G-70 can play the styles from the BK-5 or the BK-7m?

There is much that is interesting about the new BK-9, but to compare it to a G70 is foolish. Obviously, build quality will be more like Roland's current BK series, which is MOTL at best. Mind you, that MOTL build quality, especially in the keybed and buttons, is still head and shoulders above Yamaha's PSR offerings. Give me SOME feel at least! I might not come from an accordion background!

One significant difference between the BK and the G70 is that the G70 had three UPR parts and two LWR AND an MBASS Part. BK, 2 UPR one LWR, and an MBASS. A significant loss in sound choices and stage flexibility.

One of the things that worries me the most is the price point. With BK-5 going street price for $1000 or so, jacking the next offering up well beyond the $2000 mark, no matter how much new stuff is on it, is asking too much. Build quality will remain the same as the $1000 arranger. People are going to look long and hard, if presented in a store with both arrangers next to each other, at WHY the new one is so much more. Yes, I know a VH. Yes, I know about a few Super Natural sounds (which still don't sound remotely as good as Yamaha's SA2 voices, IMO). Yes, I know about two (non-touch) screens. But really, this talk about $2500 or so scares me.

Are those things, cased in a shell that looks close to identical to the $1000 arranger, going to be enough to support a huge price difference..?

I see the BK-9 as a logical successor to the E60. Which retailed for about $1800 or so. I can only hope that Roland don't get greedy and try to soak the Roland TOTL diehards who have been waiting for years for a new 76.

Yes, the G70 can play BK-7 styles. Obviously, they will need some Makeup Tooling to use the older sounds, and some of the guitar parts will sound different because there is no MFX on Style Parts on the G70 (unless you use my IFX trick up at R-A.com). Plus there are some better kits in the BK.

But with work, you can get close.