Casio WK3500 Keyboard

I actually have a WK3200, which is nearly the same as the WK3500. There is very little not to like on this keyboard and a whole lot to like. In fact, Casio has taken a step backwards in the models that followed. The sampler on this is superb (better than anything Casio has now). The analog synth capability exceeds what the new semi-pro keyboards have now as well. The organ, piano, e-piano, guitar, and woodwind sounds (including the saxophones) are amazing!! As for everyone's issue with the keyboard, I found a fix for that: wheel weights (that I stuck under each key to give it a semi-weighted feel) and white lithium grease (applied generously under each key and to the plastic piece it fits into). Do that and the feel equals keyboards costing $1000 more!!! Oh...and that whole modification cost me $20.

On one of the pages a so called pofessonal said that the sound was cheesey another word cheap, myself I own a 1965 organ model m101 with a sharma cabinet another word leslie and a 1980's technics organ. Yet I prefur the casio keyboard wk3500.

The Casio WK3500 is a fantastic buy, best keyboard sound will out shine any other keyboards sold by other manufacturers. To achieve the sound from another you would have to pay at lest another thousand pound, to achieve the sound and performance of what this Casio does. Fantastic product.

I am a professional songwriter/producer in Nashville. I have 19 top 40 and 7 #1's to my credit. I am not using my name so it "ain't" bragging! I am however going to say that I purchased the wk-3500 because it is light and will work on batteries and has built in speakers. Those attributes make it possible for me to carry it on my boat or anywhere else for that matter. I was shocked at the quality of the performance of the machine over all. It is an excellent songwriting and pre-production tool. Every road musician should get one of these for use on the bus. It is highly recommended!

I'm not going to repeat all the specifications on the Casio WK3500 Keyboard given in hundreds of music store and dealer websites. I am however, going to assess the instrument from a musicians perspective.

As a player brought up in the "piano generation" I was taught Classically and subsequently became professional for many years. I'd simply have never even looked at a shelf containing Casio keyboards in years gone by. So let's forget all the cheesy tones, and if the word Casio offends you then let's call it something else. How about an "Oisac"? Because that is what they have done, they have completely obliterated this reputation and reversed the past.

The Grand Piano tone over this six octave instrument is an absolute knockout! The tonal quality surpasses that of other so-called elite makes that cost double or treble the price. The depth and quality of the bass register I particularly appreciate. Try playing Chopin, Rachmaninov, Bach or Mozart, - it works like a dream (within the six octave limitation). Try stride piano, - it also works like a dream.

The other piano voices give a good account of themselves, one even having shades of the old Yamaha DX7.

Have you ever played a Hammond tonewheel organ with Leslie cabinet? I worked for years on them. The WK3500's organ section has a complete electronic drawbar facility and the Hammond tonewheel sound is gorgeous.

The huge selection of other voices range from excellent to average. The reed instruments are really good. Built in drum/bass selections/accompaniments give the piano player an opportunity to play with a small group or big band accompaniment. The techno/hip-hop/rock/pop/disco/fusion facilities are highly entertaining and allow the keyboard player to explore new avenues maybe never entered before (or experts in this field maybe to enter the world of jazz and big band).

The centre LED display is clear and concise although it could have been better if angled more to the view of the player. All controls are well positioned and reasonably simple to operate. There is a quite good music stand that pushes into the rear of the unit. There is a floppy disc drive and a smart media card insert. The possibilities when connected to a computer are excellent. There is the standard midi in/out plugs on the back/sustain jack input/R and L/mono lines out. There is a headphone jack socket on the left front. There are pitch bend amd modulator wheels to the left of the keyboard. The built in speakers are quite exceptionally good although one would imagine vibration could become a problem at maximum volume.

The general build of the instrument makes it really intended for home use, although with care, and a good carry bag it certainly exceeds the standard required for say a restaurant band or lounge pianist. Just take care in handling the unit.

What more can I say? For what these things cost every piano/keyboard player should have one. I congratulate Casio (sorry, 'Oisac'!) for this ground breaking instrument. I am not going to 'knock' the Yamaha brand. But if I were going to spend an evening playing in a small band in say a restaurant or hotel and I had the choice of the complete Yamaha DGX range or this Casio, I'd go for the Casio every time.