No offense to anyone please. 6 hours is enough for me - based mostly on sounds and styles.

The BK certainly lets you do it "your way" but my excitement is that I have made a deal to return a few items and have a brand new PA3x76 coming. I know I'll be in heaven.

Enough said, no bashing. Just not for me....

zuki ... you bought, you tried, you returned ... good for you in giving it a shot and making a decision ... sometimes you just know when something is right - or it isn't ...
Welcome back to KORG world ...
Best wishes ...

zuki,

Better get your wheel truck out because that Pa3X is built like a tank and weighs about that much too.

Great keyboard tho - I sure do like mine.

Bill G

what didn't you like about the Bk9 keyboard?

Jim,

Congratulations knowing of your long run with the PA800, you're gonna love the Pa3x-76 and if you had asked me in the first place I would have suggested you go the Pa3x route. JUST KIDDING, as I recall you did ask me what I thought of the Pa3x.

As BillyHank said it's built like a tank. But heck you and I are young guys, no sweat moving that baby around. I've been shuffling around the Pa3x just today and also the Tyros 5-76 and although I know the T55-76 weighs about 3 pounds more my perception is that that the Pa3x is heavier. Pa3x built more like a pro quality instrument, the T5 still in that infamous plastic style Yamaha case.

It's interesting to note that, if not a BK-9, 76 players are faced with another $2000 or so in costs before the next viable alternative exists (PA3X 76).

It's quite a jump in price. I guess it's nice zuki can afford it, but from a sheer price/performance aspect, zuki is trading DOWN, not up, LOL

And it's hardly surprising that something costing basically DOUBLE what the BK-9 costs is noticeably superior. Full sampler, full voice editing, great touch screen, great VH...

But until someone comes out with a 76 in even roughly the ballpark of the BK-9, it still stands alone in its class, LOL!

I wanna know what went on in that 6 hr trial period before he boxed it up and dumped it so fast?....Could help perspective BK9 buyers before they make a mistake also?

I think it would be interesting for some to hear, but REALLY if someone is interested in the BK-9, shouldn't they try it THEMSELVES before making a decision?

I think the easiest thing to pin on it is... it's NOT a Yamaha, OR a Korg!

Roland go their own way. There's little in basic arranger operation the BK-9 can't do, but it does it as differently to those as they are to each other!

I admit, it don't come out the box as polished as a Yamaha (closer to a Korg in that regard), but the tools to sculpt it into what YOU like are all there. But instant gratification? Not unless you just LISTEN to it!

Diki I believe the price differential is $1,000 not $2,000.

That is what is was for me and I purchased from a Korg Dealer.

Bill G

Another BIG reason besides what it DON'T have! ...is exactly what your sayin, many players just want to pretty much just play out of the box and Not be a "Sculpture" or know how to either ...nothing wrong with that. It is what it is....either you like or you don't.

My difference was $800, so it was doable. I'm not afraid to dig in, I did extensive editing on the 800. I DID NOT LIKE THE SOUNDS, NOR STYLES, with the exception of a few. I used to love Roland - many products. My tastes have changed. The BK (IMO) is for the younger, hipper, techno type Diki people. I guess I'm just getting old

Thank God that Frank/Geo at least shell out dough so the consumer can play the darn things. Roland said its styles had gone through a complete rework, etc. I just don't see (hear)it.

Don't feel bad Zuki I sold my BK 9 as well. Now have T5 76 and very happy with the division good for you. Ron

Thanx for the review zuki I understand your not the only one lately switching after buying a BK9...it aint for everyone. Anyway good luck with your new Pa3x...I hope it's a keeper for you,.....if not there's always the Tyros 5 & Audya... just kidding I know you'll do fine ....
keep us posted on your progress.

Thx everyone for the kind words. I needed them, 'cause I started feeling "dirty" and "diseased" by constantly changing on a whim and hanging out in music stores.

Should've known (listened to my wife). She asked me this morning (I came to bed way late) how I like the Roland. My reply was "what's for dinner tonight?" So I heard it from there - fill in the blanks

The best advice was given many times - play it for yourself. Unfortunately, I didn't do that.

Zuki ive had the PA3x since release date in Australia, its the best keyboard ive ever owned. your gonna love it!!

they keep releasing new packs of factory styles and sounds with their OS upgrades almost twice a year! and FREE of course

Cheers
Nick

I'm looking at Musician's Friend asking about $4000 for a new PA3X 76. Got my BK-9 a hair over $2000.

Just sayin'...

Tony.....agree......but, trying it out is the easy part....trying to find one to "try out" (without the hassle of purchasing)is something else.

I couldn't find one anywhere to "try out" including NYC. I eventually found a store about 50 miles away who would "unbox" one for me to try, but.....too much hassle for me.

The only arranger you MIGHT find in stores nowadays is the Tyros. I wonder how Roland and Korg sales are being affected by not sending demo keyboards to the major dealers.

When you can't find a display board in Sam Ash (Manny's is gone)/NYC then you know you're in trouble!

But, don't forget Frank up there in Milford. Visiting his store is like being the "kid in a candy store." And you can take a train to get to 1 mile from his shop.

Mark

I bought the BK for $2049 and the PA3X76 for $2900. Paid tax on both. So I think this about $850, isn't it?

Diki,

Musician's Friend is not friendly.

My Dealer price was $2699.

Bill G

You can order from several places (Sweetwater, MF, 1,2,3, Musicians Buy, etc.) and have a month or more to send it back. They will dicker on price too but won't match Frank.
I still prefer to deal with Frank, or George if he were a little closer. At the prices he charges us, it's only fair that Frank can't offer cash refund, but he will work to make you happy via help and exchanges.
We are all unhappy that we can't go into stores and play them, but we also most of us are contributing to the reason they aren't there by buying our gear over the internet for the lowest price!

Then my mistake. That's quite a markup at MF, ain't it?!

and then......throw in the pedals R=$300 K=$79 / throw in the VH R=varying prices expense K=free

Nice to not pay for them if you don't use them though. Never touched my G70's VH (one of the better ones, at that) in eight years.

FC-7's can be got as low as $200, but push comes to shove, they are just switches. You can wire your own for far less (maybe adapt an EC-5 if you can do with only five).

But I'm sorry, I have YET to hear ONE single user demo of any arranger's VH that didn't make me cringe. Each to his own, of course, but unless harmonies sound like REAL people, they are of no use to me. We spend a fortune trying to get the most realistic piano sounds, B3 sounds, basses, drums, guitars etc., in our arrangers. Then use something for BV's that fools no-one!

On the whole, modern standalones sound SO much better than even the best arranger VH, I can't figure out why anyone wouldn't PREFER a separate unit. Sure, more work, but if a sax sound or a drum kit is enough to make us rush out and buy a new arranger, why are we so willing to settle for 2nd rate built-in VH?

Free is about what they are worth, IMO! LOL

But yes, the PA3x76 is looking like a MUCH more attractive alternative at that price than I originally thought..!