From k2mojo@groovedaddies.com Tue Nov 09 22:01:59 2004
Subject:Real Piano Expander redux (was: No Profanity, No Flaming, etc.)

Gary,
I have spoken with the General Music USA rep a couple times about this, and here is the official story as it was related to me.
General Music realized fairly early on that there was a potential problem with the LCD in the Real Piano Expander, but before they
were able to find a suitable replacement, the factory in Indonesia that made the RPE's burned to the ground. General Music then
decided that they had probably sold the majority of units they were going to, and felt that it was not worth the cost of rebuilding
and retooling a new factory to continue with a unit that was already past it's initial run. As a result, they also didn't see the
need to find a replacement LCD for a product they no longer made. Unfortunately, from what I understand that particular LCD is
unique and there is no suitable replacement available. Not all the units eventually go dim; I've heard reports from current RPE
owners that their units are still working just fine, but anyone who has a LCD that's going dim, you are pretty much screwed. I
first learned of this nearly 4 years ago and I've been retelling this story ever since on several different lists I belong to
everytime the subject turned to the RPE. I would strongly suggest (providing you can still see anything on your display) that you
write down the exact number and order of button pushes to get to the exact sound you want and then when the LCD finally goes totally
blank you'll hopefully still be able to dial in the sound(s) you want.
Also, this might be worth a phone call. There is a used musical gear store in California that also specializes in repairing LCD
backlights and there is a chance they might be able to help you. They fixed a backlight on one of my Kurzweil K2000's (which are
also known for going bad), but I don't know the exact nature of the LCD problem on the RPE. Hope this helps you.
< http://backlights.telesisgear.com/ >.

FWIW, the reason I happened to be talking to the General Music rep in the first place was that I wanted to know if they ever
intended to release another Piano Module (the answer was still NO, the last time I asked about 6 months ago). The RPE is rightfully
considered by many to be the Holy Grail of piano modules, as is the piano sound in the newer ProMega 3, but for some reason GEM
doesn't see the need for a Real Piano Expander II, which just boggles my mind. I've played a ProMega 3 and it sounds amazing (just
ask Emerson and Wakeman and see if they don't agree with me). However, I've never liked the action on any of the GEM pianos, but if
they were to put those sounds in a rackmount box I'd buy one in a heartbeat.
Things on my 'to do' list: convince GEM that thousands will buy a Piano Module from them if they would just put one out, and when
I'm done with that, convince Korg to make a stand-alone Leslie sim based on the CX-3's technology. Gosh, I wish I had clout.

Ed Fliege
k2mojo@groovedaddies.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Egerton"
> LCD problem DIM and Dimmer was the subject title. I hope it is not wrong to
> voice our opinions even if it reaches company higherups. I ceartainly did
> not use any wrongful language nor will I ever.
> I still feel angry over their blame free attitude. I like to program
> these things, but can't read anything. How can any successful company blame
> a supplier for it's problems. I feel GEM coaxes these machines to get
> through the warranty period then breath a sigh of relief. When I buy a car
> should I first check on all the parts manufacturers that make up the car or
> rather trust the car manufacturer?