Rhodes-a-like : Crumar Seven

by **Dave B** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 3:17 pm

Whilst flicking through youTube, I found reference to this. Crumar have basically built a modern Rhodes - the Seven.

http://www.crumar.it/?a=showproduct&b=36

It looks really good and the video shows that it sounds pretty good as well. It's nice that everything packs away neatly for transport. Cool.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXTSXC8ONdA

One of the comments argues that it's basically the same as the Korg SV1 and the Waldorf Zarenburg, but this seems a neater - and less costly - package for it all. Very tempting..

by **resistorman** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 3:22 pm

Huh... looks cool!

by **Martin Walker** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 4:18 pm

Wow - that's C O O L !! 8-)

Lurvely varied high quality sounds and a sturdy well-designed case :thumbup:

Martin

by **Wonks** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 4:24 pm

...And an internal PSU to keep the Elf happy.

by **Forum Admin** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 4:24 pm

Fab! Crumar produced some truly classic keyboards in the past -- I've just finished putting Gordon Reid's July 2001 Retrozone article on the Crumar Spirit on our site. Amazing synth!

https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/crumar-spirit-retrozone

by **Martin Walker** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 4:40 pm

I had a Crumar Stringman back in the 70's, and very nice it sounded too! 8-)

Martin

by **Dave B** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 6:46 pm

I've seen a few of their Mojo's around - it seems to be the organ of choice for people not prepared to cough up for the Hammond logo

I like the fact that they've gone for physical modelling for the Seven - even a grand piano model! - rather than just tonnes of samples. Models seem to react a bit nicer I've found. And I'd rather have something that responds well than something with a gazillion samples all claiming that they are perfect. Good luck to Crumar with this one.

by **Wonks** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 6:49 pm

Placing an order, Dave?

by **blinddrew** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 7:10 pm

That does look and sound very nice.

[Edit] Watching the little set-up snippet at the end, it also looks heavy!

by **Wonks** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 10:19 pm

A fair bit more expensive than the Korg SV1 if you look at the 73 key SV1 (€300 more at Thomann), though obviously you don't need to buy a case or stand as well.

by **Dave B** » Fri Mar 16, 2018 11:13 pm

The SV1 is in the same space, but I've never really liked it for some strange reason. It's just never 'clicked'. It's also all samples and the older 73 key versions had quite light keybeds - although it looks like that might have changed. And you can't stick anything on top of it!

I wouldn't be surprised if some people thought that the Seven is a bit cheeky - it's so like a Rhodes it's almost silly. But, on the other hand, the Rhodes worked well for a really good reason and, as the old Melmaccian saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't break it".

I don't think I'll place an order at the moment. But, I can see a time where I might take a punt on one. Let's hope that the build quality matches expectations. If it does, then this should be a nice one to have.

by **zenguitar** » Sat Mar 17, 2018 1:06 am

And exploring the Crumar site I discovered the GSi-DMS-122. Overkill for my needs, as a guitarist I don't even come close to challenging my ancient Emu 2 octave MIDI jobbie when it comes to keyboards. But a highly programable and configurable dual manual speaks to my inner nerd

http://www.genuinesoundware.com/?a=showproduct&b=42

Andy :beamup:

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Rhodes-a-like : Crumar Seven