Yamaha D-85 VS. Yamaha E-75

[Orangeflipflop]

So I'm on the lookout for another organ. Instead of going for a cheese machine (Kimball Swinger 1000), I think I'll look for a higher up electone. So I've done a little research and found two electones that catch my attention. The D-85 is a 3 manual organ (if only technically, maybe it would be better said as 2 1/2?) While the E-75 only has two. Although how well it sounds is mostly opinion based, which one sounds better? Which one would give you more features? There's none for sale in my area at the moment, but I'm going to keep checking around.
I'm leaning towards the D-85, as it seems to be the bigger organ, other than the pedals. (13 vs 25), but what do you guys think?

[andyg]

Unless you want or need full length manuals and pedals, I'd go for the D85. A third manual, even a short one, is worth its weight in gold and you can do more with the D85 when it comes to mixing sounds.

As for the sound quality, both share the same PASS architecture, so very similar, if not identical in many cases.

The E70 and E75 are sought after by the synth fraternity, who will modify them, making them into CS80 synths. There is one mammoth thread on here about that, and other threads explaining why the modified organs don't sound like the CS80! Far beyond me, and I have no interest in that sort of thing anyway! But it puts up the prices asked.

So the D85 is often much less expensive than the E75. I've seen them almost given away, but they should still command a price.

[jgowen]

3/3/19. The DK-85 looks a lot like my beloved DK-40 no longer with me. On that machine the "short keyboard" was miniature keys, monotonic, and used to be crankier than the rest of the machine, although probably thorough cleaning / DeOXIT would fix that. It *was* cute...

[andyg]

The DK40 series can be regarded as the D85's Grandfather. It was (eventually) followed by the D80, which introduced the superior sounding PASS voicings, and then came the D85.

[Orangeflipflop]

I figured as such, as I've seen many chopped up E-70/75s going for thousands on eBay, and yet a fully working Ebony D-85 sold for 200. So far, I've had 2 organs with 13 pedals (A Baldwin MCX-2000 and the Kimball) so I'm at least somewhat experienced with spinet pedals/manuals. If I do find a D-85, It will definitely replace the Baldwin, only because it's lighter and I've grown tired of the fake simulations the Baldwin has to offer. The closest one to me is in Florida, and I live in Northern Georgia, so that's probably not gonna happen. I will keep an eye out, and hopefully, I'll join the "select group of proud Yamaha Electone owners" as it says in the manual, lol.

[afuller5]

Since you are in the United States, the U.S. version of the D-85 is the 415. I used to own one. I still play it and another one regularly. One of my favorite instruments.

Allen

[Electone]

Sound quality wise, the E series has better sounding voices and a much better PA system. D-85 is very versatile, more compact and usually sells for a lot less. Personally, I'd rather play a console than a spinet.

[seamaster]

Bear in in mind the solo keyboard on the D-85 is fragile, so good luck finding one that still works. I'd go for a D-65, myself. Great organs and cheap as chips.

[afuller5]

Seamaster,
I guess I'm lucky since both 415s/D-85s I play still have working solo keyboards.
Allen