From mate_stubb@yahoo.com Sun Jan 02 08:23:51 2005
Subject:Re: OT? speaking of "feel"


Jake,

I'm right there with you. Played piano exclusively growing up, then
after 15 years or so got sidetracked into combo organs, then Hammonds,
then synth action, etc.

Last year I rejoined a band and bought an Electro. I then decided that
I needed a true hammer action as well.

I bought a Yammy P120, but it was so stiff that I couldn't handle it.
I traded that for a P90, which was said to be slightly less stiff.
That is true, but the Rhodes sound on the P90 is noticeably inferior
to the one on the P120, and the wurlis and clavs on both boards are
shamed by the Electro's anyway.

Note that both these boards (as well as the P250) have Yamaha's
"Graded Action", which has heavier feel in the bottom octaves like a
real piano. As to the subtle differences in feel between the three, I
don't know what's going on.

Eventually, I switched again and bought a Yammy S-90, which I love. It
has their "Balanced Action", which carries the feel of the high
octaves of the Graded Action all the way down the keyboard. It's
definitely better for playing other things besides piano, such as
synth lines.

I found that I needed to build a little endurance up anyway. Jumping
right back into pounding out boogie woogie left hand stride made my
forearms ache a bit. So I pulled out the Well Tempered Clavichord and
played every day for awhile to get some strength and flexibility back.

Hope this helps,

Moe

> of buying an 88-key hammer-weighted action digital piano or midi
> controller.