HA76 vs HA88 -- how do you use those extra keys?

[turnstyle]

Hi all, I'm deliberating between the HA76 and HA88 -- I do like the idea of the somewhat more compact form, but it's not a necessity. I'm curious to hear some examples of things you'd miss if using a 76 rather than an 88.

Or is it perhaps more about space for splits?

Are there any other differences? I assume the action is the same? Anything else different?

Thanks kindly!

[Frantz]

Hello,

This will depend on what you play. A pianist will like to have its 88 keys ready under its fingers.

There is "only" 100 € between the 88 and the 76. My dealer told me that he was selling more 76 than 88. The price is not the reason. The reason is that a 76 is enough and easier to carry.

I took the 88 because it was "only" 100 € more, I've tried to use 3 split points, I do not find this handy.

With some hindsight, I would choose the 76 today.

[turnstyle]

Thank you, very interesting! I'd love to hear more opinions if anybody is in the mood to share...

[sakari]

Classical piano music might go into those lower octaves. I bought the 88 to play those pieces, if I come across them...but I don't move my keyboard at all...

[kelpchofs]

I thought I remembered the 76 and 88 being the same price. I went with the 76 for transportability reasons -- namely, the 88 doesn't fit in my car!

[magic_dillitzer]

I decided to buy the 76 key version of the Stage (Classic), also for transportability reasons, and yes: the same problem as kelpchofs – was glad not to buy the 88 key version because after about two years gigging with the stage, I switched to another (smaller) car and now the stage barely fits in. Would buy the 76 version again, for me it's enough.

[turnstyle]

For those of you who feel "76 is enough" -- do you also have some other 88? (I'm guessing yes?) Would you feel the same way about the 76 if you didn't also have that other 88?

[mon8169]

I have a 76. My main reason to buy the 76, aside the price, was that I realized that the last upper and lower keys from my previous 88 keyboard were clearly collecting more dust than the others!!

Ramon

[turnstyle]

fwiw, a friend pointed out it can be fun to play side-by-side with another person -- and since this is for our family, that might be all I needed to hear to push me toward 88 -- I can totally see how we might enjoy that.

[ThisPoison]

I seem to recall there was no 76 option when I bought my Classic, but I could be wrong.

I use my Stage as my only board on stage, so have mixed feelings depending on the situation.

For 90% of the songs we play a 76 would certainly be sufficient, but there are 3 or 4 songs where I have some pretty complex splits going on, and I use the extra notes to give more flexibility and a "multi keyboard" sound.

That said, I am probably just using theme because they are available, and without those extra notes I could still find a way.

Loading and unloading the flightcased 88, carrying up flights of stairs etc I do wish it was a 76, but that aside I'd probably go for 88 again.