Gamma1734 CA49
HZPiano How would you compare the action in the VPC1 versus the action in the CA49?
So, to answer my own question, this afternoon I took the train to the city of Leiden, The Netherlands, to play a CA49 and thus Grand Feel Compact in particular. Out of curiosity and more so because it is often mentioned to be the successor to RM3 Grand II which by now is only still found in the VPC1. Also, somewhere on PW in 2018 Kawai James calls GFC 'far superior'. So I just had to check.
Well, I wasn't pleased. It is somewhat nice if you are not sensitive (as I am) to any of my major two complaints:
- The action is bouncy on key return! I really wasn't prepared to find this… Much RHIII/RHC like.
- The black keys have a strange plasticky-rubbery finish even though GFC is a fully wooden keyboard.
GFC does have a longer pivot length than RM3 Grand II. That is indeed noticeable, but not to an extent that I would call a significant advantage against the other shortcomings.
So, for me personally, I'm left with the VPC1 as the only upgrade option to my Roland PHA-4 Standard action. And I'm going to double check that one as well, because if it also bounces and has that weird black key coating (without me noticing it before), it falls through as well… I'll see if I can go and re-check VPC1 next week.
Should VPC1 fall through (I hope not!)… then nothing below 3,000€ would float my boat 😲. And 3,000(+) I don't have, and probably would never want to invest in 'digital'. So my only hope is on one last keybed…
Cheers and happy actions,
HZ
PS Nudged towards it by the knowledgeable store owner I played a Shigeru Kawai SK-2 hand built shortish grand. Brand new, some protective plastic still on its panels. Now I've never been much of a fan of the acoustic Kawai sound nor of shorter grands. But… this one played like a nice dream… high level of comfort and control… and a very pleasing sound and a truly 'singing' instrument. Now that was a super positive and educational surprise. Just 43,000€ so… Oops…