Geez, I thought the DX-7 weighed a ton! I had a couple of Roland and Yamaha boards (D-20, D-50, SY55, YS200) that were featherweights compared to the DX-7! I had a ton of modules in a 12 space rolling rack. My stuff never left the home though except just a few times where I had to perform out on keys. But as you all know, I'm basically a bass player.

I had the chance to get a DX-7 or a Roland back in the 80's and I went with the Roland Juno 2. I regretted that decision (still have the Juno to this day It's so funny listening to the dated sound(s) )

It was a lot lighter than the CP80 that I was using.... do you remember? there was a nose piece that bolted onto the front of the keyboard. It was an "electric-acoustic piano" - it had actual stings, like a Rhodes and it weighed more than a Rhodes. I still wonder how I got talked into it...

Oh lord, the CP80! The Rhodes Piano was no joke either! A lot of folks I know bought Wurlitzers instead due to the weight (and price). Don't worry us bass players had it bad too. Remember those huge Acoustic Bass 'bins'? No car could transport those.

I dropped a Rhodes stage 73 on my foot when I stood it up. That was not nice and it turns out I broke a few tiny bones. It weighed about 110 pounds.

In contrast, the CP80 was a whopping 325 pounds. The main section was about 175 pounds and the "nose" was about 135 pounds with the cases, unpacked it was about 250 pounds and had to be assembled by 2 people. But it was 88 keys... however, it was much easier to carry the DX7 (35 pounds) and the Jupiter 8 (50 pounds) around.


This episode of pre-historic musical instrument trivia was brought to you by the board musical dinosaurs....

Everyone,

On "Tourist In Paradise," there is one of my favorite piano solos in Rippingtons' history.

Rob Mullins' solo on "Aruba!" is breathtaking. And coupled with Carl Anderson's vocals makes this ditty truly remarkable.

I think Freeman handles most of the other keyboards on this CD. Although I remember Mark Portmann is in the video, too.

Oh, it's so confusing.

Well, that's my two bits. For what it's worth.

Signed,




Eric Viccaro
Wayne Brady climbs the PEAK on Sept. 16!!!

Dinosaurs?! I have a Roland D70 at home. Mark Portman has two albums on sale at CDBaby. Rob Mullins sells some of his albums on his website.

Cool!! I have a D-50, Moog Rogue, Korg Kharma , Kurzweil PC-88, Roland E-5 and got back my DX-7....i just can't get enough of it!!!

I can't thank you all enough for the info...of course I was in a haze when I typed the question...I meant "Tourist in Paradise" LP and the sounds created do sound suspisciously made from a DX7...although I still hear them or something similar to that sound on other Rippingtons LPs since. I have a triton that does not even come close to that sound and it is frustrating to search for. Yes, I had tried asking the same question on the Rippingtons.com website but sadly, received no answer from anyone as of yet. You guys here are the best and again, thanks for the welcome.
Amor Sabor