Help. Need To Find A Good Synth/Keyboard For A Reunion Gig

zippydog · #1 03-25-2011, 04:33 PM

Guys,
Could use a steer here from folks in the know.

Here's the deal...
I toured the Midwest with a band in the late '80's that has decided to do a reunion concert this Summer. All the guys (including me) have gone on to "straight" jobs, have families, etc., but have continued playing music in one way or another over the years.

"Back in the day"
I was the band's keyboardist. I've long since sold off all my synths and now have a lovely Kawai digital grand piano in my living room (not a gig-friendly axe...it ain't moving). I don't know many folks in the local scene - especially re: keys, so I'm turning to my friends here for help.

What I'm looking for...
A "do-it-all" synth that I can use for 3 months (rent, borrow, etc.) from somewhere or someone so that I can keep/use it long enough to learn the software, program it for the band's set, rehearse and play the gig.

What I think I need...
A large (88 key) synth with multi-zones/splits (4) that I can program for performance (no sequencing needed...just a good pallet of '80's synth sounds, good piano/B3s and a reasonable programming menu). The current crop of workstations look like the right thing...perhaps Yamaha Motif, Korg Triton, Roland Fantom...or similar, although the sequencing/ composition aspect of these is wasted in my application. Does this sound like the right kind of synth for what I'm trying to do?!

Where do I start trying to find one?!
Do I start calling music stores? I don't know a good local independent shop for higher-end synths (Western Chicago Suburbs), and to my knowledge, Guitar Center or Sam Ash don't "rent" this sort of thing. Is there a Keyboard equivalent to this site where I should post something? Do I try Craig's list? Worst case, I buy something off ebay and flip it when I'm done, but that's a lot of money I'd rather not spend.

Timing
I need to figure this out by end of April, so I've got some time to work it. First rehearsal is in June and I want to use May for programming.

Suggestions?
Tips?
Chicago-area guys with connections? Does Gand music do this sort of thing? Others?!

Thanks in advance!
Post here or PM me if you have ideas.

**bassybill** · #2 03-26-2011, 02:23 PM

Our keys player has Korg workstation (Triton I think) and it's a good workhorse, but just recently he's been using his Nord Stage 2 - amazing sounds in piano, organ, synth and other categories. Really performance oriented, too. But not cheap! If I was playing keys with a band live again, this would be what I'd get for sure.

Nord Keyboards

gscroggin · #3 03-26-2011, 02:30 PM

If you want to look at used stuff, find a Yamaha S80. Great board, versatile sounds, very nice action, and the used prices are often great.

**bassybill** · #4 03-27-2011, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gscroggin

If you want to look at used stuff, find a Yamaha S80. Great board, versatile sounds, very nice action, and the used prices are often great.

That's a very good idea, if hiring something like the Nord is going to work out expensive (and it will).

I picked up a Yamaha SY-85 at a decent price on ebay. It's getting on a bit now, but it sounds superb and would easily cope with the OP's gigs. It would keep you busy with the programming too as you can really go to town with this synth in that respect. The factory sounds are great and you can use it straight out of the box no problem, but if you want to, the programming parameters go way, way deep.

zippydog · #5 03-27-2011, 08:22 PM

Thanks all . . . . keep it coming!

onosson · #6 03-27-2011, 08:28 PM

I had a thread a little while ago regarding picking up a new keyboard for myself:

Bassists who double on keyboards

I ended up following a lot of advice towards the Nords, and picked up an Electro 3. It's a great keyboard for me (organ / e. piano mostly) but the Stage adds layers and synth capability. Definitely worth checking out, they are very nice and I couldn't be happier with mine!

rob2966 · #7 03-27-2011, 10:30 PM

The Kurzweil PC3x is an amazingly powerful synth. Definitely worth a look.

Later
Rob

geeza · #8 03-28-2011, 06:09 AM

I was going to suggest Kurzweil as well.

zippydog · #9 03-28-2011, 07:20 PM

Thanks all.
Other thoughts?

VS · #10 03-28-2011, 07:42 PM

I've been using my Yamaha MO8 for 3 years now. I do bass and keys in the metal band I play in. Very high quality synth and piano sounds. Can be had for $700 used. I paid about 2 grand back in early 08' for a new one. -Luke