Electro 3 obsolete?

[hammondking]

The NE3 is discontinued, so you might not get software updates, but it shares sample formats with all the other current keyboards, and it's unlikely that will change anytime soon. Nord has been pretty good at keeping older boards in circulation - the NE1->NE2 upgrade being an example. I think the only thing worth worrying about is whether the next generation will have enough memory that the newest samples get too big for the NE3.

Having said all of that, you should buy a keyboard for what is available today, not what might come later. If you're not happy with the samples as they are now, don't buy it.

[Rusty Mike]

The E3 may be discontinued, but it will be a while before it is obsolete. As others have said, the biggest significant difference between the E2 and E3 is support for the Nord piano and sound libraries, which made the E2 "obsolete" (but still a great instrument). Given that the rest of the Nord product line uses the current versions of the sound and piano libraries, the E3 is still supported. IMHO, the thing to watch is the increasing size of the piano samples, as they may become too big for the E3 to use. I generally use the medium samples, so I think I'm safe for a while.

I just upgraded my E3-73 to a brand new E3HP since I play a lot more piano than organ. I did this knowing full well the availabililty of the E4HP. I got a great deal on it (less than $2000US) which is actually what I've been waiting for. I expect to be happily playing it for many years.

Will the E3 be discontinued soon? Most likely. Does that make it obsolete or undesirable? Absolutely not!

[harmonizer]

There are different stages of obsolete for an electronic keyboard.
1. Is the product still being enhanced (i.e. new patches and OS levels being produced?)
2. Is the product still being manufactured?
3. Are replacement parts still available from the manufacturer? or from other sources?
4. If I have a highly customized live gigging setup for the keyboard, which would make it difficult to use a different product, could I easily acquire a replacement of the same model, should mine break?
5. Are a newer product's better capabilities worth the extra money compared to buying an older product, either new or used?

For me, I decided about a month ago to buy a used Nord Electro 3. I had also considered a used Electro 2, but there were some capabilities that were only in the Electro 3 which made me decide that for me, an older, cheaper, but less capable Electro 2 would be an unwise investment. Others might make a similar decision for an Electro 4 vs. the Electro 3, but for me getting access to the Electro 3's organ sounds was in itself a dream.

[Michael Wright]

Having said all of that, you should buy a keyboard for what is available today, not what might come later. If you're not happy with the samples as they are now, don't buy it.

Wise words indeed. I use a +20 year old Korg. Why?.....because I like it! Second guessing tech advances is a never ending game! I am however looking at a new Kurz, that came out 3 years ago, and am kinda in the same position as the OP.

[Berty]

Another point is if you want a 61 or 73 keys, and if you like physical drawbars or not. I just bought my E3 61 because of 2 reasons :
I prefer LED drawbars than physical drawbars
I had a 25% discount
61 keys : E3 is LED, E4D is PHYS
73 keys : both are LED

[Jimmyp]

It's interesting to me that we are worried about being obsolete when we are trying to emulate 50 year old instruments. Anyway I bought my ne3 61 for $1000 and added ocean beach drawbars and I don't know if it could be better. Just sayen....

[Jimmyp]

[Michael Wright]

It's interesting to me that we are worried about being obsolete when we are trying to emulate 50 year old instruments. Anyway I bought my ne3 61 for $1000 and added ocean beach drawbars and I don't know if it could be better. Just sayen....

You certainly have a good point there! Cheers Mike

[Michldigital]

In Germany only a little rest of NE3 at stores,
no chance to order a new ....
I have two of the last Electro 3 61

[stiiiiiiive]

There are different stages of obsolete for an electronic keyboard.
1. Is the product still being enhanced (i.e. new patches and OS levels being produced?)
2. Is the product still being manufactured?
3. Are replacement parts still available from the manufacturer? or from other sources?
4. If I have a highly customized live gigging setup for the keyboard, which would make it difficult to use a different product, could I easily acquire a replacement of the same model, should mine break?
5. Are a newer product's better capabilities worth the extra money compared to buying an older product, either new or used?

For me, I decided about a month ago to buy a used Nord Electro 3. I had also considered a used Electro 2, but there were some capabilities that were only in the Electro 3 which made me decide that for me, an older, cheaper, but less capable Electro 2 would be an unwise investment. Others might make a similar decision for an Electro 4 vs. the Electro 3, but for me getting access to the Electro 3's organ sounds was in itself a dream.

The wisest words.