Yamaha Genos 1 - should I buy one?

Up until about 4 week ago the Yamaha Genos 1 stood as the gold standard in arranger keyboards. Now Genos 2 has arrived, should you consider buying a Genos 1 to update your setup and how relevant is Genos 1 still after all this time?

[@goldstraw360]

One of the big benefits of moving from Tyros to Genos is the dramatically improved ergonomics, and we’re not just talking about the touch screen. Having so much fun with my G1!

[@LeighWilbraham]

G1 is a awesome instrument

[@Denvermorgan2000]

I'm loving I moved from a pa3x and it's nice not to feel like I'm going to put my finger through the touch screen those old touch screens are not very responsive.

[@Eastbirds_Lee]

I just purchased a mint condition Genos 1 for €2500. After watching so many of your videos i’m so happy and proud to have one.

[@LeighWilbraham]

Great choice

[@user-fk8mp9eg5z]

Leigh. Many are staying with the Genos 1 so this video was thoughtful of you.

[@LeighWilbraham]

Not everyone can afford to upgrade with the current climate.

[@enlighteneduk]

Thanks to you, I treated myself to a Genos 2 for my 71st birthday. And I was lucky enough to buy a secondhand one, the first I've seen, in mint condition from a very helpful musical instrument shop that I saw advertised just below one of yoyr KZbin videos! And I love it! Thanks for convincing me to buy !👌

[@user-mx4rq4tl1w]

Great video Leigh, that's why I love my genos 1

[@colinwashington8427]

Waiting for lots more Leigh especially on country and ballad. Thank you lots, and have a great Christmas.

[@gonkeyhughes]

Love my genos 1 and I agree 4 weeks ago genos 1 was a flagship keyboard so not a dump it item still got mileage in it . I will get genos 2 but keeping my genos 1 even if I stack them and setup as two separate keyboards Great videos keep them coming

[@mystscot9814]

Superb video, loving the quality of the sounds. Currently using a DGX 670. Still on the fence whether to buy a Genos 1 or Korg Pa4X, ideally I'd love to have both. Looking towards getting an arranger setup and sell the DGX. Thanks for taking to the time to record and upload the video(s) Leigh, it's appreciated.

[@viljolevela8208]

Dear Leigh. Could watch and listen the whole Christmas time your so relaxing plaiyng. Being an intemediate- player with my T5- i wonder how difficult it is if somewhere in screen you the have the plaied spontaeus chords flow visible, Might help many. It seems quite often y use C key, that helps more. But even better if numbering system is possible. I know your videos are not ment for teaching, but your way of speaking and fluent creative flowing on keys can sure be inspiring to learning too. Not to speak to catching more followers. The black outside screen free area or elsewhere be possible exrta info inspires Tyros/Genos users playing curve. Think many are like me ( perhaps not so old 74) but still might get stuck more to your catching presentations. Just a tiny thaught.😅 One thing more. Which speakers you recommend. I temptin to change to G1 ( pension dont allow G2 😢). Cant expect you have time to read my thaughts, but ill sure follow y anyway. Have a wonderful Christmastime. Y sure have earned it.

[@donnycollins1797]

I’m in Georgia, USA and got a mint condition Genos 1 for $3500. Just got a hard case also as I’ll be taking it to church and other gigs. I love it, but wow it makes me want a G2 now. Maybe once some other bills are paid. Haha! I went from SX700 to the G1 so…

[@robertyeager4623]

I traded my G1 to Guitar Center in Atlanta for the new G2. So if your style "C" button wiggles in its socket but otherwise works just fine, you'll know that one was mine and very well cared for. I loved my G1. The G2 amps it up, but has a few bugs that need to be worked out. I sort of regretted the G2 at first due to the troubles, but overall the improvements outweigh the glitches. Hopefully they will address the faults with some firmware updates...

[@garylloyd-coxhead2675]

Thanks Leigh,great video and excellent demo of the Genos capabilities. I’ve transitioned over the years from a dual manual organ, to a keyboard and currently back playing a Roland FP30x digital piano. I’m really on the fence at the moment. I am mainly self taught and would say I’m about Grade 5 ability. I like being able to play backing tracks through the Roland and playing along. Is that something the Genos can do? I need to save my pennies! 😁

[@Denvermorgan2000]

I took the opportunity to snap up a genos 1 since i couldn't afford a genos 2 got a great price.

[@aTouchoClass]

Insanely helpful video. Thanks a lot, now I’ve got no choice but fork out 2000 bucks for this fantastic piece of finest japanese engineering. I was contemplating giving the Roland BK7m a try, what was I thinking…

[@jeanmccullough1064]

I am listening to your playing, it is so beautiful and the sound is awesome, I love it too. I heard from someone asking if I would like it and I would, except Haven’t heard from the person and I asked for the price., and nothing.,I don’t drive. I don’t know what the price would be..

[@cumberland_68]

I just bought one :-)

[@davidnutty4050]

I have a Genos from day one, I wouldn't change it

[@X22GJP]

So you’re never, ever going to change your Genos? I suspect you will change it, but like Leigh you may not sell it.

[@matthewmeno5279]

I love my Genos 1. I gotta tell you that the Genos is the Keyboard of Keyboards! It is the king of all keyboards!

[@matthewmeno5279]

You wanna have a word with me

[@christercarlstrom5565]

i have my genos1 since its come out maybe ill should change it but its dificult not so many in sweden

[@GaryMCurran]

That 1,750 Pounds works out to be $2,222USD. That is a very good deal, and less than a Korg PA1000 new. The least expensive Genos I've seen, used, in the U.S. is about $3,575USD, which is about #3,000 pounds. However, this reflects on what I was saying yesterday that in the U.S. we don't have the user base to support these more expensive keyboards. Anyone in the U.S. who has spent almost $6,000 USD for a Genos 1, before the price dropped, wants to get as much of their investment back before dropping another $6,000 for a new keyboard. By the way, what's wrong with wood and metal for a keyboard? You've made that comment a couple of times now. Personally, I like that look. It looks better than my blue plastic PA800. Merry Christmas!

[@X22GJP]

Quite hard to find at 1,750 pounds. Generally closer to 2,000-2,400 final sell price unless you get lucky with a private seller. I would not call either of those “cheap”, but if it comes with the stand and speakers…that changes things a bit.

[@TomSbani-wb2xz]

I just purchased a G1 for $3.066. It was mint-showroom model. They will probably go lower as the available G1's increases.

[@camilleotrakji]

Thanks Leigh. I don't remember hearing you making use of Aftertouch on any of the patches. Is it useful at all? is it easy to configure when the factory sounds do not have it?

[@LeighWilbraham]

Can safely say u never use aftertouch with genos.

[@ronaldkendall1202]

Hi Leigh l like you liked my Genos 1 but have had to part exchange it for Genos 2 which find to be all you said it Was. I previously had a Technics GA3 organ and had a style which I have not been able to find on keyboards it sounded like a walking horse with guitar etc backing.I wonder if you could make something Like it. I will Not be offended if you can't. Best wishes Ron Kendall

[@ronaldkendall1202]

Light IHad a message saying you would like a word so I sent my phone number is this genuine please let me know. Ron Kendall

[@brianturriff3126]

Hi Leigh, currently looking at changing my SX900 for a Genos 1, genuinely don't think I'd be disappointed and there are some great deals just now, what's your thoughts on Genos vs SX? Good upgrade or keep saving for a G2 ? Appreciate your advice, thank you

[@LeighWilbraham]

Upgrade upgrade upgrade. There’s SO much more in genos. You won’t be disappointed at all.

[@brianturriff3126]

@@LeighWilbraham Thank you Sir, trust your judgement, I just need to ask Mrs T if she trusts it as well 😅££££

[@LeighWilbraham]

@@brianturriff3126 I honestly can say you will be over the moon Brian.

[@cinepost]

What!? No video today? Would be interesting if you did an hour of Christmas music to see if KZbin cancelled it.

[@jemkeystv5717]

Hi, I'm not seeing any genos' priced that low anywhere, do you have links to these adds? Thanks

[@X22GJP]

Yeah on eBay and Reverb certainly, they tend to start at a minimum of £2000, with most buy now around the £2400-2500 mark - still a chunk of change, and at the higher price range it’s “only” £1500 away from a brand new G2. I’m sure you may see the odd one sold by individuals starting at £1750 or so, and I’d agree, at that price it’s a serious contender.

[@jemkeystv5717]

Thanks for the info

[@haluk2336]

Thank you. I also want to buy a Genos 1. How many splits can be made?

[@LeighWilbraham]

One for left one for right

[@X22GJP]

Yeah most arrangers just have a left and right split with layers, certainly more than enough for my tiny brain to meddle with, lol

[@jeanmccullough1064]

Dark Shadows!

[@haluk2336]

Does it have John Lord organ sound?

[@LeighWilbraham]

Not really

[@matteobruni-wb9bi]

​@@LeighWilbrahammarry Christmas Leigh 🎉🎉,can you play somewhere in My memory by John Williams,thanks

[@haluk2336]

What a pity! any sound close to it? @@LeighWilbraham

[@LeighWilbraham]

@@haluk2336 there are soundpacks you can add to give you the sound.

[@haluk2336]

Thank you very much.@@LeighWilbraham

[@Fh9ghg9]

Wait, where is Genos2

[@Fh9ghg9]

Sure

[@hoangtruong7166]

Sound Genos 1 better than Genos 2, my opinion

[@LeighWilbraham]

You’re so wrong.

[@hoangtruong7166]

@@LeighWilbraham Could be wrong, but I am thinking to sell my Genos2, then keep my Genos1

[@frankr7239]

They don't do updates for genos 1 since the new one came out

[@LeighWilbraham]

That’s correct. The instrument is now finished and they move onto the next version

[@frankr7239]

@@LeighWilbraham ok thanks Leigh can U make your own song please instead of using styles to see the new Geno's in action because using styles is different then doing your own recording because Sykes is controlled by a computer were your own has your soul in it which will sound better for a vid can you show us please

[@LeighWilbraham]

@@frankr7239 so you don’t want a keyboard? You want a piano?

[@X22GJP]

⁠@@frankr7239How about you make us a video and show us what you think people want to see? You seem to miss the entire point of an arranger keyboard - the overwhelming majority of people who buy these, buy them for the canned styles with the various intros, fills, variations and endings. Some may tweak the odd sound and parameter, and some might even purchase totally new styles. Leigh gives us his own melodies over the styles, but if you’re looking for completely original compositions, perhaps you want to be looking for people who own something like the Montage M or Fantom, proper workstations with multitrack recording and endless sound creation possibilities. When you buy an arranger, you buy it for the built-in sounds and styles, simple as that, and that’s what we appreciate being demonstrated.

[@frankr7239]

@@X22GJP my comment was no defence to Leigh his music is good and divine with styles