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I am almost ready to pull the trigger on a Roland FP7F but I thought I would double-check a couple of things before I do so.

Here are some things for your perusal and if you should desire ... comments concerning this purchase.

I have never played the FP7F.

I have played the RD700NX and liked the touch of the keybed.
I also liked the sound with headphones.

It has been said that the FP7F is the home version of the RD700NX.

They both appear to employ the Supernatural sound engine.

They both appear to have the PHA III keyboard action. Although the FP7F details seems to indicate a difference of some sort with the term "Feel-S" in there.

I have no idea what the speaker sound will be on the FP7F but I assume it is passable. I have external powered monitors if necessary to improve the sound.

I see the 700NX has 3 acoustic piano sounds ... Concert, Studio, and Brilliant. I have yet to find that with the FP7F.

I will be using this digital for in-home use with rare excursions to the outside world.

Yes the onboard speakers on FP-7F are passable - but no more than that.

The actions are the same - the slightly different nomenclature relates to the FP-7F having white keys that are all white (other PHA-III actions have a coloured understructure that at a glance looks like wood but is just a different coloured plastic). But it is the same action.

FP-7F pianos are numbered 1, 2 and 3. They are derivatives of the same voice (ie, differently EQ'd) but they are all Supernatural voices. The RD apparently has three distinct SN piano voices.

Good luck,

Steve

Well, that could be a significant difference. I remember selecting the Studio voice in the 700NX and liked it.

I don't think it is a deal breaker, however. I may have to go back and play the 700NX again with that in mind.

Can't elaborate further than Steve really. I will say if this is a more home based purchase go with the FP-7F. If this is a more gigging type purchase, go with the RD-700NX. The NX offers more flexibility for on stage use plus a lot more built in sounds.

I'd like to add that if this is a home based purchase and you're looking for a good piano replacement, also check out the Kawai MP10. I think the RM3 Wooden action is a superior action for piano playing but ultimately it's whatever you prefer.

Oops didn't read to the bottom of your post! If you have speakers to plug in, I guess it may make more sense to go with the RD-700NX with additional voices.

Don,

I concur with everything Steve said. If you liked the RD-700NX, I don't think you'll be disappointed with the 7F. Should you pull the trigger, I'd be very interested to read your thoughts comparing the 7F with your CA63. Having had the MP6 alongside the 7F for a while I found the different approaches taken by Kawai and Roland notable and interesting.

Are you buying the Roland to supplement or supersede the Kawai?

I intend to sell the Kawai CA63 in favor of the FP7F.

I love everything about the Kawai except the sound. I have been using software piano sounds and that is working but something in me still yearns for a sound that is coming from the keyboard itself.

I think the FP voices are all derivations of what is called concert grand on the RD. If you particularly like the studio grand (and a few people have mentioned it on PW) then I don't think you are going to find a parallel for it on the FP - as you say it may not be deal breaker for you but it's something to be aware of.

Cheers,

Steve

Interesting. Looking for a local transaction, then?

Well, it appears I am going to have to spend some more time on the 700NX with that Studio voice.

I suppose I could just purchase the 700NX but I was hoping I could make use of the built-in speakers. But in consideration of your comment about them being only "passable" I may end up hooked into my powered monitors all of the time anyway.

Yes, I am.

Relative to the space available in the case, I don't think the onboard speakers are that bad in the 7F. They may benefit from some EQ or piano designer tweaking, but I don't bother to hook them up to my monitors because I find them adequate for practice.

It would be nice to have the other SN pianos available, although Grand Piano 2 on the 7F does give you a sound that is a little crisper than the default, and might be more suited to jazz.

Yes the speakers are ok. I was surprised with the bass. They are better at the top and bottom ends than in the middle where they are a little bit inarticulate in my opinion. But given their size, and the convenience of them, they are quite alright.

Steve

I am still gathering information about this possible purchase and I can not find any mention of a nice looking furniture-like stand for the RD 700NX. That would probably be a deal breaker for me since I would be using it primarily for home use.

Can anyone confirm that there is, in fact, no furniture-like stand for the RD 700NX ?

The Roland RD-700NX is also one of my DP's I'm interested in buying and I've yet to see any furniture stand that goes with it (unless you custom make it). However, the z stands I've seen on youtube look really sturdy even with a heavy DP on them. As long as the piano doesn't wobble, I'm ok with using a z stand.

Did you consider the KS-G8 yet? It is very sturdy and looks great. Just keep in mind that it needs more space behind due to the sloped design. A corner is perfect. Here is mine in action:
Thread

That stand looks pretty good. I think I would go for it instead of the Z stand. Looks more solid.

BTW, that thread you inserted has all but convinced me to take the leap to the 700NX instead of the FP7F.

EDIT: Yikes, I just checked on the price of the KS-F8 ... $250 bucks. Pretty salty. I could probably get someone to build me a nice piece of furniture as a stand for that kind of money.

dmd, something like this, perhaps?



Given that you are using software for the piano sounds, I assume you intend to purchase the RD-700NX for the keyboard action, correct?

Cheers,
James
x

Yep that's a a nice looking set up there :-)

Very nice setup James! What stands are those? I didn't know that the MP10 comes with stands.

That photo has 'custom' written all over it (unless, of course, I'm mistaken).