Are keytars still cool???

Question

Hey!

I play piano and keyboard and have just had the brilliant idea (thanks to going 2 a cobra starship concert) of buying a keytar.

q1-r they still cool? i've heard only if you're a female playing it

q2-do they need an amp?

q3-what's the best brand?

q4-are they expensive?

cheers for ur opinion :)

Answer 1

never heard of them. sorry. Only straight guitars

Answer 2

Lights seems to think so:

www.myspace.com/lightsnoise

Answer 3

As a keyboardist, I'd have to say, heck yeah they're still cool.  Actually they seem to be making a bit of a comeback.  Mute Math is another current band that uses one.  Unfortunately, none of the keyboard manufacturers seem to be catching on to this, and none have been made for several years, so you'll need to find an old one.

They don't necessarily need an amp.  Most of the time, they're not used as a stand alone keyboard.  Generally, they're used as a MIDI controller to remotely play another keyboard so the player doesn't have to stay rooted to one place on stage.

I'm not familiar with enough specific models to recommend a particular brand, although Roland seems to have made the most different models.  Check out www.vintagesynth.com to find out about some of the keytars out there.  They even have a forum where you can ask more specific questions.

And yes, they are getting expensive, since the demand is going up again, and no one is making any.  The cheapest one I saw that is even considered to be remotely viable is going for around $200, and that's the Yamaha SHS-10.  I can tell you from experience, though, that this particular model isn't much more than a toy (I have one).  After that, the price jumps considerably.  Usually in the $800+ range.

Answer 4

cheyeah!

i was gonna talk about cobra starship when i saw this question but you already mentioned them!

victoria's awesome, and so is the band!