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  • New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ



    Anyone Know anything about the new Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ? Has anyone played one yet or know what the price is? </P>
    <P mce_keep="true"></P>


    Tommy</P>

  • #2
    Re: New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ



    Here's a link:</P>


    http://www.roland.com/products/en/C-330/index.html</P>


    Heard somewhere that the price will be quite low -- competitive with the entry-level models from off-brands. Aimed at the home market, though a lot of little churches will surely find them attractively priced.</P>


    Interesting product. We'll have to see how this goes. Might get some of those little churches with old Thomas and Lowrey organs to consider buying.</P>


    Unlike previous modelsat the low-end price point, these seem to have full voicing capabilities and potentially excellent sound.</P>


    John</P>
    <P mce_keep="true"></P>
    John
    ----------
    *** Please post your questions about technical service or repair matters ON THE FORUM. Do not send your questions to me or another member by private message. Information shared is for the benefit of the entire organ community, but other folks will not be helped by information we exchange in private messages!

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    • #3
      Re: New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ



      This looks a lot like a Johannus Opus 7 Raco</P>

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ

        Sure does. ????
        John
        ----------
        *** Please post your questions about technical service or repair matters ON THE FORUM. Do not send your questions to me or another member by private message. Information shared is for the benefit of the entire organ community, but other folks will not be helped by information we exchange in private messages!

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        • #5
          Re: New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ



          John,</p>

          It is curious that this organ has the "Roland" nameplate rather than the "Rodgers" name on it. Suggests to me that this instrument is not to be confused with Rodgers product. My guess is that world-wide that Roland will sell it through Roland dealers, not just Rodgers dealers.
          </p>

          My guess is that it is likely made in Europe, either by Viscount or possibly by Johannus (sure looks like a Johannus-inspired case). Note that it has a 30 note concave-parallel pedalboard. I believe this model intended for the European market, as a home practice organ.
          </p>

          Looking at the speaker specifications, with only 8" woofers, I seriously doubt you will get serious bass out of this organ. Most likely a European classically voiced instrument.
          </p>

          I notice that this organ is lumped with other Roland specialty products such as a 1 manual organ and a harpsichord.</p>

          I'm not sure Roland is even intending to sell them in North America, and if they do, would sell in low, low numbers here. It is just not a North American style instrument, not having a standard combo-action and not having an AGO pedalboard.
          </p>

          AV
          </p>

          </p>

          </p>


          </p>

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ

            According to the Rodgers web site the C-330 will be shown at several music conventions this summer such as the National Pastoral Musicians Convention in Chicago under the Roland Classic Keyboard Series name

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ



              Arie,</P>


              I agree. Doesn't look like a modelyou'd expect tosella lot ofin North America. But it apparently will be pitched at that market pretty strongly, at least that's what I heard from a couple of sources. </P>


              With so many churches rejecting the idea of spending $50K - $100K for a traditional digitalorgan, there just may be more demand for such a model than one would expect.Even those churches that have gone contemporary sometimes have a traditional service at 8 a.m. or on Sunday night, and might be willing to have an organ at this price point. After all, they spent more than that to set up the praise band with fancy drums, keyboards, and guitars! And this little organ could be picked up and set out of the way when it's not needed. [:(]</P>


              The little 8" woofers would seem inadequate, especially for the 32' stops it claims to have in the MIDI section! However, there are line level outputs for driving an external audio system, surely a necessity foranything but the smallest room.</P>


              You knowRoland/Rodgerswould liketo grab some of the sales that have gone to Johannus and others who have a model under $10K, bare and simple though it may be. I've been able to find good used organs for many of my customers withlimited cash, but something like this might be an acceptable option for some of those same folks. And it's all shiny and new!</P>


              We'll have to try out that 30-note parallel concave pedalboard to see what it's like. Of course, many of the folks who'd buy this organ would be coming from a spinet or a 25-note pedalboard anyway, and the fact that it's not AGO wouldn't bother them. Knowing Roland, I bet they've vetted this pedal design with some good players, and it may be downright nice.</P>


              Anyway, I hope to get the chance to try one out soon. I heard somewhere that it will be offered to area Rodgers dealers first, but could be sold through any little store that carries Roland products, which would give them quite a network.</P>


              Perhaps someone among us will see and play one and give us a firsthand report soon.</P>


              John</P>
              <P mce_keep="true"></P>
              John
              ----------
              *** Please post your questions about technical service or repair matters ON THE FORUM. Do not send your questions to me or another member by private message. Information shared is for the benefit of the entire organ community, but other folks will not be helped by information we exchange in private messages!

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              Comment


              • #8
                Re: New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ



                John,</p>

                Roland is an intriguing company. They conceive, design, build products, show them at NAMM, Frankfurt Musikmesse, NPR, etc., and get feedback. It's like throwing something at a wall and seeing if it will stick to it.</p>

                This Roland C-330 reminds me a lot of something they tried almost 20 years ago. When Roland/Rodgers went digital in '90 or '91, they brought out some organs at the low end, but they did not call them organs, they called them "classical keyboards". Models listed were 441, C-440, C-445, C-505. Slightly better instruments were called "classical keyboard organs". Models included 550, 580, 685. PDI instruments were called "classic organs". This marketing scheme didn't work and these models didn't last long. I remember a former Rodgers dealer telling me that they ended up with a warehouse full of these organs because they couldn't sell them. Then they so them off cheap, as in real cheap. I believe some of these models were made in Japan.</p>

                Then in the mid 90s, Roland came out with low end organs built in Italy. These were the 5xx series Global or Insignia models. Really cheaply made. Sound wasn't very good either. Just recently I was asked to tune an old Rodgers, and the organist told me he bought a Rodgers 537, about a year ago. I asked him how he liked it. He didn't, his complaints were that the vinyl cladding was peeling off, the organ occasionally cyphered, sounded poor in ensemble, and the tone was irregular. He said he was told that the organ was voiceable, but in fact was not adjustable at all. He told me the price was $12,000 (Can.) Hopefully the new low end Rodgers offerings are better than this.</p>

                I notice that Rodgers now has only 1 model left coming from Europe. And it has a 27 note flat pedalboard. Why the dickens would they do that? At best you save a few inches in width, but have to sell it for thousands less. Maybe, that model is really supposed to cater to markets other than North America. </p>

                Marketing a product is not always easy. Basically you have to build and promote products for which you believe a market exists. Also pricing has to be right.</p>

                Right now, at least in North America, the market for any type of organ is rather poor. Much poorer than even a year ago.</p>

                AV
                </p>


                </p>


                </p>

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ



                  Arie,</P>


                  Yes indeed, Roland hasbeen around the block a few times with this idea. I've seen a few of those cheap ones from the early 90's that you mention,and they are pretty sad in many ways.</P>


                  Without having seen or played this new one, I can't judge how it compares to those previous low-end models. Let's hope they've learned a few lessons from their earlier forays into this market niche.</P>


                  I'd expect the C-330 to sound much better than the old Cheetah and Insignia stuff, if only because processors, memory, and DAC's have become faster, better, and cheaper. Hopefully they've put more into these organs than the barebones equipment inside the old cheapies. </P>


                  I do know that the little C-190 portable organ has some superb stops, sounds that would do justice to a real organ. If the technology is that good or better, it will sound good.</P>


                  There will definitely be more color, with the four-deep voice pallette structure. And probably some sophisticated voicing and finishing capabilities, since that sort of thing is pretty much a given in today's organs, even at the bottom end of the cheapest line.</P>


                  They're bragging a lot about the "tracker touch" keys. I assume this is the rubber dome type of tracker touch that they've had in cheap keyboards for a long time. But if the keyboards are at least decent, they should be as adequateas some of those used on the lower-priced Rodgers organs of the last 15 years, typical Roland synthesizer keys.</P>


                  I do wonder about the console construction. If it's fiberboard with a plastic peel-and-stick veneer, it's bound to get shabby in a few years. But then, you can't say they put too much into the console to the neglect of the innards!</P>


                  But.... the price is definitely going to be right.... As I mentioned earlier, a lot of churches I deal withare in full rebellion against the notion of spending $100K+ for afull-blown 3m digital installation, in light of the fact that only one little old ladyor gentis left who can play it, and the pastor and music director are placing all their bets on the contemporary service with the head-banger musicians, while the crowd dwindles for the organ-led service.</P>


                  IF.... this little organ does a decent job of making beautiful organ sounds, it MIGHT find use in a church here and there that would otherwise abandon the organ. And it might sound good enough to catch the interest of some young musicians who'd be encouraged to explore the world of the organ! Wouldn't that be wonderful!</P>


                  If it sounds wretched and falls apart in six months, it will probably flop.</P>


                  Here's hoping it works out.</P>


                  John</P>
                  <P mce_keep="true"></P>
                  John
                  ----------
                  *** Please post your questions about technical service or repair matters ON THE FORUM. Do not send your questions to me or another member by private message. Information shared is for the benefit of the entire organ community, but other folks will not be helped by information we exchange in private messages!

                  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Birds...97551893588434

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ



                    This looks tempting to me for my church...</p>

                    I wonder if the price is cheaper than the cheapest Rodgers home model (61-61-27)? My dealer said it cost $15,000 and IMHO the C330 is better.
                    </p>

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ



                      Philip,</P>


                      I'm holding out hope that the C-330 will be both better and cheaper than that Insignia at $15K. With what little I know about both (from what I read on-line basically), I'm more impressed with the C-330.</P>


                      And your church is a prime example of where this model might fit in. Even though your church has a fantastic organist (you) and a great music program that is quite traditional, I gather from your posts that there would not be much enthusiasm for spending $100K on a new organ right now -- which is the story in a great many Baptist churches I know of.</P>


                      So, if this little unit is as good as we hope, you can definitely plug this one into your house sound system and make a really big organ out of it!</P>


                      (Although it would be better still to invest another three or four thousand in a kilowatt of audio power and some awesome speakers for the organ to call its own!)</P>


                      Then, when the church discovers the joy and excitement of singing with a great organ, perhaps the idea of getting you a 3m full-size digital to playwon't seem like such a pipe dream! (Pun intended.)</P>


                      John</P>
                      <P mce_keep="true"></P>
                      John
                      ----------
                      *** Please post your questions about technical service or repair matters ON THE FORUM. Do not send your questions to me or another member by private message. Information shared is for the benefit of the entire organ community, but other folks will not be helped by information we exchange in private messages!

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                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ



                        John,</p>

                        I think I figured out why this little instrument is badged a Roland. It is part of their classical keyboard line, which is primarily into baroque and Renaissance music. It is supposed to complement the C-30 Harpsichord and C-230 single manual organ. The harpsichord is an excellent product, filling a niche that other manufacturers are not into. The Harpsichord in Canada costs at least $5,000.00 after taxes. Not inexpensive!. My guess is the C-330 will be at least $10,000.00 in the US. </p>

                        I think the target market for this is mostly Europe, but it may sell in small numbers to those who want a practice instrument or are into baroque music. It is likely better than the cheapy Rodgers currently offered with 27 pedals.</p>

                        BTW, personally I don't mind the 30 note concave parallel pedalboard, also known as BDO (German standard). I have found them relatively easy to play in short order. Much preferred to a flat board or the "princess board" from Allen.</p>

                        I look forward to meeting one of these instruments some day.</p>

                        AV</p>

                        P.S. Does anybody know what kind of voicing can be done on this organ?
                        </p>

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ



                          Yes, it would be quite suitable for my church-the compact console would be handy as we now have 30 musicians plus the piano and keyboard on the platform with me on the ground. However...there is no locking top-which could prove problematic.</p>

                          Then again, when I go to college in 2011, there will be only one person (a very busy young mother) left in the church who can play-and it would be easier for a new beginner to attain hymn-playing pseudoproficiency on a spinet than on that Roland with all its MIDI and such.</p>

                          All the same, it's something to think on. Maybe a used model will become available to the order of &lt;$5,000 and then it might be feasible.</p>

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ



                            I down loaded the brochure and noticed that the MIDI section is jam packed with voices from the MX200 and also Hector's other voices. Lot's of slush at 16, 8 and 4 ..... decidedly what we American love !!! So I would say that Roland definitely has designed this for the US Market. For folks that think most Euro samples are thin sounding (reeds and strings especially) the C330 might be a cost effective and better sounding alternative to the lower priced organs from Europe.</p>

                            I'm anxious to hear one too.</p>

                            </p>

                            Phil
                            </p>

                            </p>

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: New Roland/Rodgers C-330 Organ



                              Wonder when and where we'll be able to see one? Anybody heard of a dealer who plans to stock it? They won't sell any if nobody can find one!</P>


                              Just got through browsing through the on-line brochure more thoroughly. Really looks like they did it right this time. Sure hope so.</P>


                              John</P>
                              John
                              ----------
                              *** Please post your questions about technical service or repair matters ON THE FORUM. Do not send your questions to me or another member by private message. Information shared is for the benefit of the entire organ community, but other folks will not be helped by information we exchange in private messages!

                              https://www.facebook.com/pages/Birds...97551893588434

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