For Sale: Yamaha S90ES

[Liquid Shadow]

I bought this thing a couple months ago brand new...was in love with the piano sound on it. Turns out that's all I've used it for so the rest of the power inside is going to waste, and the keybed is so nice, but just different enough to make the piano not as convincing as I had hoped. So I am selling this and going for a plain digital piano instead.

Manuals and Cubase LE CD-rom included (power supply too...that should be expected, but some people won't include little things like that for whatever reason). There are some dings it has aquired thanks to fellow musicians moving their equipment hastily in close proximity. Nothing too ugly...if you are interested let me know, and I can take some pics for you.

Because of the cosmetics, but considering it is 100% working otherwise, I have set the price at $1500 plus shipping (in the US).
There is also a padded, rolling gig-bag for it that I may or may not sell, which would be an additional cost.

[Omega Monkey]

You're crazy.

I know you have some other gear, but you might be underestimating the value of having an "all in one" bad-ass "workstation/lite"/stage piano workhorse that you can use in just about any situation, especially as far as live or rehearsal.

Anyway digital/stage piano you might find that has piano/keyboard sounds up to the level of the ES, and especially if you are trying to find one with a NICER action (WTF? I suppose you want graded/progressive, but balanced is so much more functional in general) are going to cost at least as much as you will get for your used S90. So you have to figure out if its worth breaking even or even LOSING money to basically make a lateral (in some ways, but downwards in a lot of others) move, to something with less functionality overall.

Just out of curiousity, which magical piano device(s) did you have in mind to supercede this beast that will outperform it in a price/performance ratio?

Not trying to give you a hard time, but I wouldnt say its one of the best gear decisions you've made.

And you say you "only use it for piano sounds" (which it pretty much beats the pants off anything else at, besides maybe the XS, so whats the problem there?), well, my challenge to you is, rather than get rid of it, learn to use it's other great strengths (to numerous to go into here). I think that would be your best bet. It's a deep piece of gear and you can get it to do about whatever you might need (Yamaha has had KILLER filters even on their PCM stuff for a long time, as well as some very nice effects). So do that!

[Asho]

I agree with Omega Monkey....

I may be only a synthesis and musical n00b but i am a picky as sin when it comes to realistic actions and sounds, and i dont think theres anything save perhaps a Nord Stage that touches the Yamaha (granted i havent tried the XS though)

[keyslord]

Don't do it man!!!Don't sell it for a digital piano!!!For God sake!!!

[Deceit]

I agree with Omega Monkey! Why would you do that? It's possibly the best 88 key ROMpler/synthesizer on the market, you can expand it and the piano sound is outstanding, possibly second to the Roland RD700SX only (which is the digital piano I'd go for)...
Deceit.

[Liquid Shadow]

I don't like the RD-700SX at all...sounds or feel.


The S90 is second to none in terms of what it does, I know that. I also know that I don't need all that it has to offer, and I won't need it. I rarely use synth sounds at all anymore, and I use none from this...they come from other keyboards. The only use that I have, or will ever have, for this keyboard is the piano, and the action does not compliment the sound...at least for me.

If I was still trying to do the prog-rock thing, this would be my only keyboard, for sure. But that's not my bag any more, so I'm putting this out there for anybody who can benefit from this keyboard more than myself. Call me crazy, but I can't click with this keyboard.

[Omega Monkey]

You're crazy (did I already say that?).

[Everlasting_Rain]

I support Liquid Shadow.

Of course I agree it's an outstanding keyboard, specially an all-in-one board, but one has to deal with what he's in need of. If he feels more comfortable with any other gear, it's his own choice

If I was still trying to do the prog-rock thing, this would be my only keyboard, for sure. But that's not my bag any more, so I'm putting this out there for anybody who can benefit from this keyboard more than myself. Call me crazy, but I can't click with this keyboard.

There are outstanding keyboards in the market, but at last, the keyboardist chooses what he feels comfortable with, and what he believes to be filling his needs. Otherwise, where will that "try before buy" statement go? If you are on the budget of an S90, buy it, don't even try it. Don't you think you can organise your gear setup better. There's no better setup.

BTW, don't think I'm blaming anyone, I know all the responses here are actually trying to help a fellow keyboard player in an important decision. But at last it's his own personal choice, and I wanted to step in to support it.

[Gustavo]

I agree not with omega monkey. It is a very good keyboard but it doesnt suit you like a glove, perhaps you can get something very suitable for you at that price. Maybe a good 88key controller with the perfect action you want (though it wont be very road friendly) used and buy something like ivory (of course you will need a laptop) That would top it, since the controller could do a lot rack version that instead of wantin to buy a keyboard you could save a lot buying the rack version and control soft synths which are way cheaper and can do a lot more, but you have the risk of the a pc (not sure if macs) of crashing in a live show. Though I cannot really recommend any controller, for i have not tried any out yet, and even if i did it might not be the be the best for you, id recommend going round the city lookinfor a keyboard.

G