Nord User Forum

tl;dr: where do you go to play Nords and test different key actions? I live in the USA in Virginia, but could travel to DC or even NYC if there's a showroom somewhere.

full question:
I'm a newbie to Nords, but am looking at buying one for my next piano. One big problem: I can't seem to find anywhere to try playing the different models!

I went to a local Guitar Center, and they only had the Nord Stage 4 Compact (which has the Semi Weighted Waterfall Triple Sensor keybed), whereas I'd really like to test the action of some of the following:

1. Stage 4 (hammer action, fully weighted Triple Sensor keybed)
2. Grand (Kawai Hammer Action)
3. Grand 2 (Premium Kawai Hammer Action)

The Guitar Center folks didn't want to unbox any other pianos than what they had on the floor, but there's no way I'm spending a few thousand dollars on a piano I've never tried. They offered their 45-day return policy, but that's a lot of money to float on the credit card, as well as a risk that I drop it and break it in the parking lot and end up owning it even if it doesn't seem worth the money.

I'm looking for a digital piano with a great keyboard action that feels like an acoustic piano but is transportable for gigging. I've had a Kawai Concert Artist I really loved for 24 (!!) years, but its speakers are broken and it feels like the right time to start fresh.

Thanks for your advice!

I went to a Sam Ash music store and they had several laid out along with other high end synths and keyboards. Stage 4, Nord Grand, Nord Wave 2 for example.

Just be wary of their sales tactics, they're super aggressive and scummy. Just tell them you're just looking and find the showroom and get your practice time in. Don't commit to a sale, don't give them info, nothing.

Thank you! Looks like there's a Sam Ash in Richmond. I'll call tomorrow to see what they have on the floor.

Additional suggestions from other folks are still welcome as well!

Sam Ash is a good suggestion, as the one in Hollywood, California was where I was able to test the Nord Grand, Piano 5 and Stage 3 side-by-side.

I've only ever seen the Stage 3 out on display at places like Guitar Center.

I don't think the Grand 2 is available yet, even for tests at stores. It's announced for May, probably somewhat earlier for the exhibition pieces. If you want to play it now, you'd need to make a trip to NAMM on the West Coast within the next days (from Th thru Su, I think).

ever get to Nashville, TN? I was at the Guitar Center there back in October and they had (to my surprise) an A1, Wave 2, Stage 4 88, Piano 5 and 2 Grands - no Electros, oddly enough.

An interesting question. I live in the Chicago suburbs which is a desert as far as Nords go. I had never even HEARD of Nord until I read about them in Keyboard Magazine (before it went digital), and the first Nord I ever touched was the one that came via UPS to me.

We have Sam Ash and Guitar Centers out here, but none of them carry Nords on the floor. Neither of course do the smaller owner-operated stores out here. Chicago Music Exchange downtown is a wonderful place for guitarists but has no keyboards at all. There may be some place in the city that has them - but I don't know of it. Anyone from Chicagoland know of any place that has them personally present in the showroom?