Nord User Forum

Hello all...I have been reading this board for months, but have not posted. Unlike many here, I am not a professional musician, but do study the piano and enjoy playing very much. My main keyboard is a Kurzwiel SP2X. and while the pianos sound ok to me as a novice, I am blown away at what I hear on any S2 demo. Same with the EP's and the organ sound. I just can't seem to find any keyboard that is as full a package as the S2, and there aren't many I haven't played or heard. I toyed with the idea of getting the semi-weighted 73, but I have a Hammond A-100 that I am trying to teach myself to play...so I will go with the 88.
My question is, what should I look for in a dealer? So far, Sweetwater seems to be in the lead, but I haven't talked with many dealers, so I may be missing something. There are certainly no deals at this point....$4100 is the lowest I have been offered.
I can't wait to buy the last keyboard I will ever need. Any advice appreciated. Now, just how to tell the wife!
Randy

Hi rmerritt & welcome, and I guess there are at least as many amateur musicians here than pros, so no worries
Regarding the NS2 (I think it is now more or less the official abbreviation rather than S2), when it comes to pricing, it seems indeed the same everywhere, see http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CFgQ8wIwAA. In the Links Section there is a link to a thread on KSS about reliable dealers, but you also could check out local dealers to play it first hand. The only option less then 4k at the moment seems an open box model here: http://www.proaudiostar.com/nord-stage- ... AGE288_d_B.

Anyhow, good luck with your final decision, but the 88key version seems a good fit if you have an A-100 already
Cheers J

I can't wait to buy the last keyboard I will ever need..... Now, just how to tell the wife!

This line contains two of the most difficult tasks of a keys player's life Find the perfect keyboard and telling the perfect girl about it...

Hello Randy,
Welcome to the forum!
I'm assuming that you're in the states.
If so, Sweetwater is an excellent choice. Service after the sale, and a hassle-free return policy top my list of major concerns when looking for a music retailer. I've had a long relationship with Sweetwater "Jeff Barnett" is my rep.

As for telling your wife, you're on your own with that one..
I can only tell you what DOESN'T work....

Cheers, Hanon

+1 for Sweetwater and Pro Audio Star. Friends have had good luck with Pro Audio Star. They will give you a killer quote if you contact them. You can take it or shop it around to other places. Also most places will give you better deals if you order a bunch of accessories at the same time. Sorta like, "I'll pay $4100, but I want a Nord case, stand and volume pedal in the deal too."

I personally would go with Sweetwater, for the service and the free 2 year warranty. Bad news though: I went to order an NS2 88 myself from Sweetwater, and they told me it's backordered until November. BH Photo and Video looks like they have some in stock, but I don't know how willing they are to deal. Great people though, so they might work something out.

On the plus side, the delay does give you a few months to spoil your wife before D-Day.

I bought a brand new NS2 88 from Musicians Friends (online store) during their big July 4th discount and got $500 off anything over $3999. So I ended up getting the board for $3700 total (including free shipping). However I did have to wait a solid month before I got it because it was backordered.

The keyboard is fantastic and has exceeded all my expectations.