Stage 3 88 - Bad or best time to buy? Or Piano 5?

[dansnord]

Went to the Boston Guitar Center and played both. I don't know what's "wrong" with me, but, while I did find the Stage 3 keyed a bit on the light side (compared to my past Yamaha boards: S90, P80, P90, P121), it was great to play. And I found the Piano 5 to be....a bit mushy. I really think I actually preferred the Stage 3 feel, even when playing the piano sounds. Is that a family uncommon sentiment? But again, as with my first experience with the Stage 3, I just fell in love with the sounds. The presets are so musically inspiring. The Piano 5 doesn't have that breadth of sounds. The Stage 3 is $1,000 more. But it has aftertouch, other controls, and many more types of sounds. You only live once. I'm buying one tomorrow. SO PSYCHED. Thanks for all the help!

[tetra]

I think you will be extremely pleased with that choice. I bought a NS388 in the summer of 2020 and have not had the tiniest bit of regret ever but have, rather, always been of the opinion that it was a great purchase. I also have a Yamaha P90 and played and recorded quite a few songs on it. The NS388 does have a lighter touch, but I think it is wonderful and have used it for recording songs as well. I also have a 6 foot acoustic ("real") grand piano that I bought 20 years ago. So I have experience with a few different keyboards and I have no complaints about the touch of the NS3. From your intro description, I think you are way more musical than I am, so I might not be a good reference point. But, still, I have derived a lot of enjoyment from playing the Nord.

[Winds]

Went to the Boston Guitar Center and played both. I don't know what's "wrong" with me, but, while I did find the Stage 3 keyed a bit on the light side (compared to my past Yamaha boards: S90, P80, P90, P121), it was great to play. And I found the Piano 5 to be....a bit mushy. I really think I actually preferred the Stage 3 feel, even when playing the piano sounds. Is that a family uncommon sentiment? But again, as with my first experience with the Stage 3, I just fell in love with the sounds. The presets are so musically inspiring. The Piano 5 doesn't have that breadth of sounds. The Stage 3 is $1,000 more. But it has aftertouch, other controls, and many more types of sounds. You only live once. I'm buying one tomorrow. SO PSYCHED. Thanks for all the help!

We definitely have the same sentiment. I didn't wanna say anything in the risk of influencing. But to tell the truth, I ALSO thought the NP5 to be way too mushy for my liking. Nice to see others share the sentiment. Welcome to the Nord club!

[dansnord]

Have just returned from a 48-hour stay at my closed-up summer cottage on Cape Cod. No running water in the winter, but it's heated and I just bring my own water supply. I unboxed and played the Stage 3 there, by myself (no wife and kids) for hours on end. Wow. I mean, it's simply incredible. Absolutely worth the cost of admission. Now I get it. And with respect to the keyed/action, I can honestly say I love it. Not too heavy. Not too light, but light enough to play fast and hard and not get tired quickly. It's perfect. So glad I didn't listen to all the naysayers complaining about Nord action. Rubbish! It's the perfect action for the amazing sound engines. If anyone is reading this, trying to decide if a Stage 3 88, with the current $1,100 discount, is a good buy given a Stage 4 is likely on the ways soon: do not hesitate. It's a great deal on a phenomenal keyboard.

[mpabisz]

Wait namm 2023 its 40 years anniversary of nord at 2023 so very very possible for stage 4

I’m also debating on the Stage 88. Im based in Canada, and I’ve noticed all Nord Stages (all key variants) are on sale right now. I was also guessing NAMM 2023 will bring us something new. Just my own guess.

[dansnord]

Of course that's probably a safe guess. But from until you'd actually get your hands on one, will be a long time. NAMM is in mid April. And then you'd wait for it to actually ship which could be 6-12 months. Now, maybe the sales of the Stage 3 indicate they will be availbel soon. Or...maybe not. I'm glad I bought mine and will enjoy it right now, rather than waiting for something thatt might come soon, or might not.

The Stage 3 is incredible. It will hold it's value well at this sale price. What if they sell out an then there is a lag before the Stage 4 comes out? Stage 3 used price goes up. Once the Stage 4 comes out, it will be very expensive. People who don't want to pay that premium, will be happy to buy a slightly used Stage 3 at a similar price to the new sale price now. In short, you can't lose buying a Stage 3 at this price. That's what I have concluded, anyway!

[Hlaalu]

...and once again, even if it came out, there's no guarantee that it will be bug free, that it will have the features one is looking for, that the keybed addresses one's needs, that it will be reasonably priced... the question of "when" it will be available is just one of many in my opinion.

[Ledbetter]

I’m not buying anything for myself until after Christmas whenever possible.