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AlbergKeys wrote:
I am a long time Nord Stage user, first NS2 88, then NS2 EX 88, then NS2 EX compact.
I had exactly the same evolution as you. When I finally moved to the Compact, I just couldn't believe how small and light it was. Literally every time I take it out of the room (2-3 times per week) I think "How could I be such an idiot to lug around for years the 88 in that HUMONGOUS Nord bag?!?"
I don't do classical piano so 88 keys were totally useless to me, I agree that having extra room for splits was a bonus, but it's a really small tradeoff for gaining such a huge reduction in weight and size.
In my transition phase, when I was totally fed up with moving the 88 but still wasn't sure about the 73, one big improvement was ditching that awful Nord bag for a Gator G-PG88 Slim. MUCH MUCH smaller and lighter, same thickness of padding, waterproof, more resistant lining and zippers, more and better pockets, and shoulder straps instead of those useless wheels!
It was a huge improvement and it prolonged my life with the 88 for at least a couple of years, but in the end I moved to the 73 and now I wish I'd done it much earlier!
Completely agree. I sold several other (heavy) keyboards from Yamaha and moved to the Nord Stage compact. I can easily carry it in the Nord bag with one hand. All that marvelous sound in an easily portable package.
I actually went the other way around, Compact felt too light on the keys for my taste, spongy light plastic dont feel good on rythnic piano playing.
The G-PG88 slim is the PERFECT bag for any Nord Stage 88!!
So glad I got it, 10 cm shorter and 5kg lighter than the wheeled Nord bag makes it manageable transporting and lugging from my car and into any gig.
Last edited by AlbergKeys on 09 Nov 2023, 20:45, edited 1 time in total.
These users thanked the author AlbergKeys for the post:
I am about to buy a Nord Stage 4 HA 73 because I moved to the UK and my Nord Stage 3 88 is stuck in the US. I Figured out a situation to sell the 3 and upgrade to the 4. Initially, when buying a 3 I wanted the smaller models but was unhappy with those keybeds so I went for the 88. I'm going for it now that they've done the 73 with the same keybed as the 88 on the 4. Especially because I am going to continue to now be back and forth between the US and the UK and am starting to get gigs and will need to rely on public transport as I don't drive in the UK. And even though its clear this should be a no-brainer for me, I still have a little aching thought about whether I'm okay with giving up the full 88. It's hard when you're a piano player and you just like having those keys there. Especially when you are heavy with low octaves in the left hand like I am. You can always shift octaves and call it a day. Thats what I'm reminding myself.
I love my compact, but I play rock type music, so the keybed for organ is important. That being said, I don't have any problem being expressive on piano. Like others said, using the nord bag and strapping it to your back frees up your hands for other stuff. I also have an 88 key weighted controller and a double stand if the need arises, haven't needed to use it for a gig for years.
duotone wrote:I am about to buy a Nord Stage 4 HA 73 because I moved to the UK and my Nord Stage 3 88 is stuck in the US. I Figured out a situation to sell the 3 and upgrade to the 4. Initially, when buying a 3 I wanted the smaller models but was unhappy with those keybeds so I went for the 88. I'm going for it now that they've done the 73 with the same keybed as the 88 on the 4. Especially because I am going to continue to now be back and forth between the US and the UK and am starting to get gigs and will need to rely on public transport as I don't drive in the UK. And even though its clear this should be a no-brainer for me, I still have a little aching thought about whether I'm okay with giving up the full 88. It's hard when you're a piano player and you just like having those keys there. Especially when you are heavy with low octaves in the left hand like I am. You can always shift octaves and call it a day. Thats what I'm reminding myself.
