Has Nord Stage 3 88 Keybed Action Changed?

[StillPlayin]

I spent the day yesterday at Sweetwater again attempting to have my Nord Stage 3 88 pitchstick error repaired. This time they felt certain they had the right part so I made the 3 1/2 hour drive only to find out, after opening it up, nope wrong part. This time they were nice enough to simply give me a new Stage 3 as a replacement, rather than asking me to make a third trip. Due to coronavirus concerns, I did not go in, we handed things off outside, they assured me it had been thoroughly put through its paces and we headed home.

Long story short: Entirely different keyboard feel. New one is sluggish, feels much slower.

Two possibilities.

1. Nord switched keybeds mid-model run in the Stage three 88.
2. It’s the same keybed and will feel better once ‘broken in’.

On my old one, I could play some fairly fast organ and synth parts with relative ease. Now? No. Too sluggish and slow. Stiff even. What gives?
Right now, I want my old one back. Only problem was pitch stick errors that I would rather live with than this keybed. Thoughts or insight?

[Hlaalu]

Whether something regarding the keybed has changed in the production phases, only someone with direct access to this can tell, and I don't; but I was wondering if you could do a video to show the way they keybed feel -- if it's something that can be felt in a video.

[StillPlayin]

I doubt it could be shown in a video. It just feels sluggish to play, especially faster organ and synth passages. I know it’s weighted, and as such, is not ideal for organ playing, but my original Stage 3 was faster and allowed for palm smears, and quick hits. This does not. If I knew that in time, it would ‘break in’ to feel like my old one, I’d simply deal with in the meantime. Just hoping someone has insight to share.

[baekgaard]

I doubt it could be shown in a video. It just feels sluggish to play, especially faster organ and synth passages. I know it’s weighted, and as such, is not ideal for organ playing, but my original Stage 3 was faster and allowed for palm smears, and quick hits. This does not. If I knew that in time, it would ‘break in’ to feel like my old one, I’d simply deal with in the meantime. Just hoping someone has insight to share.

Have you checked that B3 Organ Keyboard Trigger Point is set to High on the new NS3?

[StillPlayin]

Yes, but truthfully, I could tell it was different before I even turned it on just by the feel of the keys. I even called my wife over to try it without saying anything. She immediately echoed my opinion. It’s noticeably stiffer and sluggish feeling. Not at all fluid and easy to play fast passages. This is my third Nord Stage 88, all bought new, and to the best of my recollection, the only one to feel like this when new. I’m hoping that this is somehow normal and will ‘loosen up’ with use. As it is, no.

[Peeter]

I've just bought a new Nord 88 stage 3. Like you i was surprised at the sluggish action. Its great for expressive pieces but organ pieces will not be easy at all. This breaking in thing you mention? Is it true they get better over time?

[Synth Nerd]

I have a Stage 2 88,I demoed the Stage 3 88 version when I was looking to purchase the Newer model.

To me the Newer 88 keybed on the S3 felt cheap in comparison to my Older S2 88,it just felt less substantial almost as if they had used a lower quality feel,however it may have just been my preference my S2 is some 8 years old so the keybed is worn a bit but it feels superior in quality to the S3 Model i demoed,but having used Nord Products for decades it just felt like it was a cheaper grade HA,Some might disagree but thats just my observations of using these Boards for a long time it didn't have that Normal build and feel that I am used to on Nord 88s

As I'd already got an S2 88, I decided to opt for the SW Compact for the Newer Stage 3 and didn't really see the point of having 2 HA boards and just Use the S2 Via Midi when I need the HA Feel.

[Hlaalu]

I've just bought a new Nord 88 stage 3. Like you i was surprised at the sluggish action. Its great for expressive pieces but organ pieces will not be easy at all. This breaking in thing you mention? Is it true they get better over time?

There seems to be variation in "sluggish-ness" between units. I wouldn't call mine sluggish; in fact it's even "nimbler" than other 88 digital pianos I have had in the past.

Personally I think organ playing is less affected, being organ a non-velocity instrument. I set trigger point on "high", and honestly the only real drawback of organ playing is that your forearms muscles will get tired sooner.

[JonnyHightower]

I logged into this forum to ask about differences between revision A and revision B of the NS3, and now I'm wondering if this perceived keybed change could have been introduced on the revision B? I only found out there were two revisions because I've been looking at getting the Nord Monitors, and apparently they will only fit the revision B. I have just sold my Stage 2 HA 88 and am planning to buy a Stage 3 (HA 88) imminently. There is quite a variation in prices between shops (at least in the UK) so I wondered if the cheaper ones might actually be revision As still in stock. I can't easily find a list of changes between rev A and B online.

Edit: Aha! I've just found this thread: nord-stage-forum-f3/differenet-hardware ... 16574.html Interesting. Still not sure what revision I'd get from a shop: I wish they'd say. There's no mention of keybed change in that thread though.

[FZiegler]

Isn't it possible in the UK to say:
1. I want a rev.B model
2. Please look for a "Type" button in the piano section before shipping
3. I'll send it back if it's a model A (before April 2019)!?
It's the way I did it some months ago.

We just found out in this forum that the newer NS3 SW73 now has music stand mounts which the first model didn't have. But nothing about the HA88. I don't think that the Fatar keybed model would have changed, and other changes/improvements in the running keybed series can happen probably any time. Up to now, it's only one person here in the forum who had the impression that the keybed attitude might have changed lately.