decreebass wrote:psionic311 wrote:I think if you got the 88 key, you'd probably leave it at home. You did say your main is guitar, and only have keys as a side dish, right?
I'd bet if you got the 88-key or even the 73-key, you'd trying gigging it once or twice, but then discover how big and cumbersome it gets. You're not going to put that big beast on a cheap X-stand, right?
You're right; for now, that I would likely not gig with it. HOWEVER, if I stay healthy, I still have a few decades left of gigging left in me (I'm 35 now) so I can't say that I'll always be a guitarist who plays keys on the side; I wouldn't mind joining a band as a full time keys player (or at least a band with more heavy keys) in the future. Even now, I could leave a couple guitars at home - that would mean fewer trips and make it more likely that I'd be willing to take the 88 with me.
Regardless, for now, I still have my Kross 2 61 - which for the most part serves me well. The Kronos 88 wouldn't be wasted. As I've stated, it's more just a treat for myself with the benefit that I
can gig with it if I want (or if there's room in the venue, room in my car, etc.
But nah; I have a nice double-braced stand for it. Though, I will probably buy a cheaper, lighter-weight stand for the Kross, since it's only about 8 lbs
It's not really age or how fit you are that's the determining factor here, it's the hassle.
I guess what I'm advising is this -- don't get the 88 key if you're not a piano-banging madman, if gigging is at least 50% of what you want to do as a multi-instrumentalist. Instead, get a nice 88-key controller like the Privia PX-5S. You will find many users that rave about its action, portability, and sound (although on that last point I beg to differ). Don't get an el-cheapo 88-key, as they cost about as much as the PX-5S and still don't offer the 4-zone capability. You might very well end up gigging with only the K61 and the Kross, leaving the 88 key at home for piano work via the Kronos.
You can find a used K61 for around $2k and a PX-5S for around $750.
The K61 is much more portable than its heavier siblings (esp with a soft case), but unfortunately it overlaps functionally with your Kross. So you'll either have to choose one over the other or else use both and a possibly a 3rd 88 key. I don't know if the Kross has the ability to use split zones.
I'm a believer that a 2-tier is much more practical than a single tier solution, even if that single is an 88 or 73 key. The set up logistics for 2-tier aren't much more than 1 keyboard, but the flexibilty and productivity of 2 tiers are so much more.
If you're one of those rare birds that plays keys while also playing a guitar or bass, like I am, then I also strongly suggest you get foot pedals. The Kronos pads are a rather unique live benefit in that you can trigger them externally via MIDI like with a foot controller. This lets you play notes like a Taurus pedal, or chords, or trigger audio samples, what have you. Whatever you program the pads to do, you can trigger with your feet. It's like having a 3rd hand. Meaning you could play guitar like normal and just bring in pads or strings or trigger samples with your feet at the same time.
Food for thought.
