From eslawson@comcast.net Tue Oct 22 19:10:27 2002
Subject:RE: Electro convert

I have actually been eyeing the Electro 73 pretty hard from a distance and
it is very enticing to me as an "all-in-one" solution for rehearsals and
smaller gigs. I have no Clavia dealers anywhere near me, so I would need to
buy one from a mail order place (melting $1800 worth of credit) and then try
it out.

The quandary for me really comes down to justifying the expense, unless I
unload another piece of gear. Right now I am doing the RD600 for
piano/clav/EP/other, CX-3 for organ and Nord Lead for analog sounds. The
Electro would cover most of the same bases that the RD600 and CX3 do, but I
cannot see replacing these two staples entirely with the Electro. I am very
happy with the well-broken-in 88 note keyboard on my RD and I am a sucker
for those 2 sets of drawbars on the CX3. Maybe playing an Electro would
convert me, but I'm not sure given my love for the real drawbars and the
intuitive layout of the CX3 (although I am still not totally sold on its
harsh sound--maybe v2.0 will help with that). Also, the keyboard on the CX3
could be more robust--I really miss my XK2 for that feature.

If I did decide to use the Electro to replace one of my current keyboards,
I'm not sure which one...would I want to keep the 88 keys and go with the
Electro mainly as a Hammond clone? Or would I keep the CX3 and use the
Electro for its EPs/clavs? I definitely would not want to use the RD, CX
and Electro all in the same rig. Too many keyboards!

Anyways, I'm have trouble opening my pocketbook for an $1800 keyboard when
it may just be for rehearsing. I cn just lug what I have for now and maybe
Clavia will eventually lower the MSRP or something. It also seems that the
Electro has a number of anomalies still being flushed out (I've done a
little reading on the Electro group). I imagine an Electro v3.0 may be in
the works.

I am salivating over the new MP3s on Clavia's website. The organ sounds
smoking, and the clavs and EPs are likewise very funky. I would like to
hear more on the usability of the drawbar interface as well as the keyboard
action. How does the Electro keyboard hold up in terms of robustness and
overall feel? Comparisons to the XK2, CX3 keyboard would be great, since I
do not have easy access to an Electro.

I am sensing an impulse Electro purchase in my future, but am trying to be
happy with what I have for now. I am enjoying everyone's feedback on this
new instrument. Keep it going!

Regards,
Eric Lawson
CloneWheel Support Group Moderator
eslawson@comcast.net

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