Don, I’m with you on that. My head is spinning. There may be an sd40 up for sale after seeing this new sx900.

Damn...I’m a sucker for the, as Donny called it,”Genos II...”Baby Genos”. Gary...you have to hang in there to teach many who will be jumping on this keyboard. I hope the sail boat sells...you need this keyboard on your bucket list
JM

Hi Chas,

Nope, not a fan but I do think he is a very talented musician. But to each his own I guess. I believe Martin is the R&D manager for all arranger keyboard products at Yamaha by the way.

You don’t have to provide me with any video of course, but since I thoroughly enjoyed these demos, I looked forward to seeing one of yours if it is even better.

Regards,

Tom

I thought you were over the Moon with the Ketron SD40

what happened?....

I agree with Chas. This keyboard really doesn't SOUND any better than my 3000. Of course I haven't heard the new steel guitar.

Listening close it does have that similar Yamaha signature sound
like many of the the S units,...it's strengths are the newer features
I would say,...if you need them.

Managed to get through a couple of dozen (I think) before I was bored stiff with them, yes there were one or two nice features but basically it’s just quality sounds for the price and canned styles, (A number sounding song specific ugh!) or to put it another way the same as every other arranger out there. (There is just no innovation (In the boards or from a lot of arranger players) that jumps out and says Hey, I am something special, buy me now to make your world a better place)

Bill

Tom, 'better' is highly subjective. I'm sure Martin Harris is a MUCH better musician than I and an experienced demonstrator as well. First of all, if you enjoy this type of music, it's unlikely you'd like anything I did. Taste in music is a very personal thing, usually heavily influenced by one's cultural environment (familiarity). I have posted tons of music here but hardly any (if any at all) have been 'style' based and most were done on organ, synths, and other non-arranger keyboards. I DO own (and am interested in) arranger keyboards, just not as performance instruments. Some here are able to use them very effectively in a pro environment; I have just chosen to use organ as my primary or base instrument. I also prefer to play with other musicians. For me, arrangers are both fun and useful for song creation, instant style experimentation, and communicating arrangement concepts to other musicians (in preparation for a group performance). To gig or not to gig with one should be a personal decision that does not require defending. "Different strokes for different folks".

Do I like arranger performances? Generally no, but there are exceptions. When a blind guitarist can't distinguish Don's simulated guitar from a real guitar, then YES, I like it. When Marco Parisi plays a blistering solo that provides all the 'groove' (feel, syncopation) that might be missing from the more robotic arranger backing he is using, then YES, I like it. When someone takes the time to learn all the potential musical features buried in the average MOTL/TOTL arranger, and then use them in a performance, then YES, I like it. Sorry, I just didn't hear that in the demos being discussed here. Be well.

chas

Donny, Since I’ve gone back to work...nights by the way, My time is so limited for enjoyment playing. I love the sd40...but sometimes I just want to turn on the keyboard and play with the wide variety of styles Yamaha provides.

My goal was to get the guitar synced up with the sd40, but with my limited time available...that will be a while.

The Genos is not an option for me, and I’m not necessarily upset by that. But, this might be the next best (better) option.

I’ve always been a sucker for the next best thing. Ever since the 360 Systems digital keyboard...circa 1985.
Jm

If you don't have the time anymore why not just sell it and wait till you have much more time....just to fool around you can do that with a 61/49 controller and a DAW on your Pc or I'm sure many S970/975 units will be for grabs at a steal soon.
Good luck with what ever you choose

A wise man never sells unless he has to... remember you never lose a dime until you sell.

BTW: here is a lesson I learned a while ago.

I will call it my $50 lesson

Roland SH101 retailed new at $295 (I was a Roland dealer), after a few years they were readily available for $50 used.. Same with Roland TR707, Rhodes pianos, and many more... $50 items, that I could have bought up by the scores.. Any ideal what those $50 instruments bring today? And not collectors , but a lot of users.. SH101 $800-$1,000, TR707 $500-$700,Rhodes $1,000-$1,500.

Donny now think about how much $$$ you threw away