From gegerton@ameritech.net Wed Nov 10 03:05:55 2004
Subject:Re: Real Piano Expander redux (was: No Profanity, No Flaming, etc.)

on 11/10/04 12:01 AM, ed fliege at k2mojo@groovedaddies.com wrote:

>
> 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"
>> I have voiced a complaint recently concerning, what I consider a lack of
>> support from a company called General Music concerning a Real Piano Expander
>> 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?
>
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Thanks so much for the reply Ed. You have pretty much answered all my
questions. I feel also that it is a shame they do not put a another modular
version on the market. Companies strive to be successful ,I don't understand
why they just walk away