The 3 Reasons Why I Haven't Upgraded to The Nord Stage 4
It might come as a surprise to some that after nearly a year after being released, I haven’t traded in my trusty Nord Stage 3 HP76 yet for the new Nord Stage 4. Here’s why even after spending 4 months using The Nord Stage 4, I’m still sticking with my Nord Stage 3 for the time being:
Price Point
At almost $1,000 more per instrument from the previous generation, The Nord Stage 4 clocks in at an eye-watering $5600 in the states. Given how robust the build is along with all the new features, I totally get the increase in cost.
Even so, for a working musician like myself $5600 is lot of gigs. I love the new features, but even with a lot of upgrades it feels like The Nord Stage 3 still handles almost everything I need done at close to $1600-$2000 less on most used marketplaces.
Availability
I do a lot of fly dates with the artists I play with, and many backline companies just don’t have it in stock yet. That means that I’d either stuck playing another instrument (usually a Nord Stage 3) that doesn’t have patch compatibility, or I’d have to fly with my own keyboard (see point 3 as to why that’s a problem with The Nord Stage 4).
This problem is sure to get better over time as backline companies invest in newer gear, but at the moment this can be a big hurdle if you’re relying on backline gear regularly.
Weight
This is the biggest one to me. Across the board (no pun intended) The Nord Stage 4 is slightly to significantly heavier than the previous models. With the upgraded build quality, it’s no surprise. But it’s still a major issue for flying and a minor inconvenience when shlepping gear in and out of venues.
Currently, here’s the weight difference for each:
88 keys- 41.8 lb for the 3, 43.2 lb for the 4 (a 1.4 lb difference)
HP76 (73 with the new model) 27.5 lb for the 3, 36.8 lb for the 4 (a 9.3 lb difference)
Compact (waterfall keybed): 22 lb for the 3, 22.9 lb for the 4 (a .9 lb difference)
Currently I can just get under the weight limit with my iSKB series 76 key case. I’m exactly 2 lbs under the 50 lb limit that most airlines follow, and with the weighted action 73 key model going up 9 lbs that would make me well over the limit.
I’d opt to go with the compact waterfall option, but as a piano player first, the waterfall keybed is a little too light for me.
Conclusions
Let me be clear- this is the best keyboard Nord has ever made. But while none of these are dealbreakers, and there will eventually be workarounds for all of these issues (minus the weight issue), I can’t see myself trading in my trusty Nord Stage 3 HP76 in the immediate future.
