Fantom 7 Damaged :(

[CaptJim]

Today FedEx dropped my Fantom 7 to my door but I guess they also dropped it along the route before its arrival to my doorsteps because when I unpacked it one corner was broken and the bottom was slightly warped. So when it was put on a flat surface like countertop of the kitchen island left from corner was 1/4 inch higher than the other side and when you hit the keys it was wobbling.

So I packed it back, called the Sweetwater and got the return shipping label and it'll be on its way back tomorrow.

SW will replace it with another new unit but they do not have one in stock and they will order it for me. In the meantime I was asked if I will consider a Fantom 88 for the same price?

My only worry is about HOW DOES WEIGHTED KEYS FEEL ?
Will I be getting used to the weighted keys if I ordered a Fantom8 or will I feel awkward since I have no piano training and never played a keyboard with weighted keys?

Should I stay away from this idea or will I adapt after a while?

What are the pros and cons of weighted keys vs synth action keys? Especially for a person making music that sounds like an Enya song and not shredding on keys?

[Per]

The weighted keys feel fantastic (Rolands keybed is one of the best out there), however there are two caveats :

1. Aftertouch is broken on the 8, simply unusable currently. You will break your hands or the keyboard trying to get it to work it requires that much force (I am not joking). No idea of that can be fixed via software or if it requires some hardware modification.

2. Some people who are used to synth keys may have a hard time adjusting to weighted. Weighted can be faster than synth because of the fast return but the extra effort to push the keys may result in fatigue at first and the feeling that it is slower.

Personally I love a weighted keybed much more than synth action which feels cheap to me. However I do wish Roland would fix the aftertouch issue.

[Per]

Oh some other things to consider. Size and weight, the hammer action keybed is a lot heavier, you will need a more sturdy stand and space for the larger keyboard. 88 notes of course is nice for the extended range.

Personally I’d go for the 88 any day if it were the same price, not least because that’s a really great deal.

[mostinif]

Hi:
Fantom 8 has a PHA-50 keyboard. Really its amazing. I also have a Fantom G8 with PHA-3 generation keybed, and the "feeling" is very like playing a real acoustic grand piano. Ivory feel and key weight is extraordinary. New Fantom 8 is still far better... No joke. If you´re mainly a piano player, you will love it.

The only cons is the instrument weigth. It weight (boxed) about 34Kg (aprox >70punds) and unboxed 28Kg...
It's HEAVY. If you don't think to make a U2 World Tour, and plan to leave the keyboard in a fixed place, it is a very good choice.

[Flavorkeys]

The original poster said he had no piano training so I don’t know if I’d recommend a weighted keyboard if they originally ordered the semi weighted. If the original poster plans on using the Fantom to play a lot of piano on then maybe the weighted keys would be better in the long run.

[mostinif]

The original poster said he had no piano training so I don’t know if I’d recommend a weighted keyboard if they originally ordered the semi weighted. If the original poster plans on using the Fantom to play a lot of piano on then maybe the weighted keys would be better in the long run.

you're right.

[marctronixx]

ive had no formal piano training and ive had the f8 since launch. its much different than playing on the jupiter 80 that i also have but ive learned to get used to it. the op will be able to get used to the 88 key.

[deswind]

I have a 7, but would rather have the 8. If anyone wants to trade and I pay extra $$ - or if someone just wants the 7! (I hope it was ok to post this here.)

I am a piano player, so I would rather have the piano action. Maybe this part provides some useful information to piano players here.

[NicoIntegra]

Hi,
I have the Fantom 8, it's the best hammer touch I ever play! I had KX88, A90, Fatar Studio 2001, SV1 and I have CP4 (18kg vs 28 for Fantom 8), my finger are very happy to play this great keyboard!