Yamaha SK-20 Symphonic Ensemble Review

History:

Purchase: I purchased this keyboard at Coyal Music in Columbus,Ohio "way back" in 1980-81. At that time I needed a portable organ, and the market was small for organs by the very early 80's. I think it was around $1200 new,and I got it for around $950.

What I Like About This Unit: What I like about it now, and what I LIKED ABOUT IT THEN ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. Back then, I liked the slide switches that worked like foot bars on a Hammond Organ. It also had a pronged Leslie jack on the unit for use with an external Leslie Cabinet,{NOT included} At the time it seemed lightweight at around 30lbs. I liked the Keyboard, the actual keys seemed much sturdier than plastic keys on current Yamaha equiptment. It had a tremelo fast and slow button,as well as ensembe {a leslie simulation.} The slow and fast tremelo "reved",and sounded okay, and still sound different compared to todays sound. It also had seperate organ and polysynth outputs as well as a mixed output. Sustain and volume pedal inputs. 61 Key. A MANUAL POLY SYNTH SECTION AS WELL WITH SLIDERS.

What I Do NOT Like About The Yamaha SK-20 Symphonic Ensemble: The horns and strings where really bad, but then again, this is 1980 equiptment. It only had 3 preset organs, and one manual organ. 2 strings, 3 horns, and a manual Polysynthisizer section. Still, it seemed like alot more back then!

SK-20 Symphonic Ensemble Quality: The construction is rock solid. The sides and front edge where "Rosewood", and the top was black paintet metal with gold graphics. The plastic keys where much heavier than the keys on CURRENT Yamaha KEYBOARDS. This keyboard by the way is all ANALOG...NOT DIGITAL! Output volume seems much higher than current stuff,and there are no built in speakers.

Summary: The bottom line is this keyboard is obsoleate. Its built very,very well, but has hardly any sounds compared to todays stuff. It was hard to find portable organs at that time,as organ was not being used much like it was in the 60's and early 70's. Yet,at the same time, Farfisa and Vox organs where becoming hard to find. I keep this relic for sentimental reasons, and it looks great with the other keyboards. Besides, for what its worth, which is not much today,Id rather just keep it for collectability. It still works great, a little crackle in a few sliders, but hey, its 22 years old! I'll rate it by 1980 standards, and how much it cost. Remember, digital was not around yet, and MIDI was still a year or two away if I RECALL.

Rating of this product: 3

This Yamaha Keyboard MIDI Review Submitted By: EDDY JAMES

Date: 2003-02-08