Viscount Legend '70s MKII Review & Demo

Viscount Legend '70s MKII: What's New?

The Viscount Legend '70s has always been a little different from most stage pianos. Instead of giving you a fixed collection of sounds and controls, its clever modular design allows you to configure the instrument around the sounds and features you actually need.

Now Viscount has taken that concept a step further with the new Legend '70s MKII.

The second-generation model retains the modular approach that made the original so interesting, but introduces a more premium design, updated hardware and an important new addition for piano players: the A.PIANO 2G Acoustic Piano module.

In our new video below, Tony takes a closer look at the Legend '70s MKII and demonstrates some of its sounds, including the new acoustic pianos.

Viscount Legend 70s MKii Video Review

A Professional Stage Piano Weighing Just 8.8kg

What's New on the Viscount Legend '70s MKII?

Viscount hasn't tried to completely reinvent the Legend '70s. Instead, the MKII feels like a refinement of an already unusual and versatile stage instrument.

The build quality feels more substantial and premium, while the new burgundy end cheeks, brushed red aluminium control caps and red felt behind the keyboard give the MKII a distinctive new appearance.

The control panel remains designed very much with the performing keyboard player in mind, with hands-on controls and an angled layout that makes everything easier to see when you're sitting or standing at the instrument.

One of the most significant developments, however, is the new 2GB Acoustic Piano module, which we'll come to shortly.

Compact 73 or Artist 88?

There are two versions of the Legend '70s MKII.

The Compact 73 features a high-quality semi-weighted 73-note keyboard and is supplied with the Electric Piano module as standard.

The larger Artist 88 features an 88-note wooden-key action for players who prefer a more traditional acoustic piano-style playing experience. This model is supplied with the new 2GB Acoustic Piano module as standard.

Whichever model you choose, the modular design means you can expand and configure the instrument to suit the way you play.

A Stage Piano You Can Configure Yourself

The modular concept remains one of the features that makes the Legend '70s different from other stage pianos.

Instead of filling the instrument with sounds you may never use, individual sound and control modules can be installed according to your requirements.

Available options include the Electric Piano module, A.PIANO 2G Acoustic Piano module, Sound Collection module, FM Synth, Synth-8 virtual analogue synthesiser, Clavinet module and Master Keyboard module.

For a pianist, that might mean concentrating on acoustic and electric piano sounds. A keyboard player working in a covers band may want access to a much wider selection of strings, pads, brass and synth sounds, while the Master Keyboard module provides additional functionality for musicians controlling external MIDI equipment.

It's a clever system that allows the Legend '70s to become a very different instrument depending on the person playing it.

Want to Understand the Legend '70s in More Detail?

When the original Legend '70s was released, Tony produced an extensive in-depth video covering the modular system, individual sound modules, effects, layering, splits and many of the instrument's deeper functions.

Much of the fundamental Legend '70s concept remains relevant to the MKII, so rather than repeat everything in the new video, the original guide is still well worth watching if you're considering buying one.

Viscount Legend 70s Original Review

Electric Pianos Remain a Highlight

Electric piano sounds have always been one of the strengths of the Legend '70s.

The dedicated Electric Piano module provides classic electric piano sounds with hands-on control over important characteristics such as tremolo and amp simulation.

For players looking for those classic Rhodes, Wurlitzer and electric grand-style sounds, this remains a major part of the appeal of the instrument.

The modular format also means these sounds can easily become part of a much larger keyboard setup rather than being treated as standalone instruments.

The New A.PIANO 2G Acoustic Piano Module

For us, this is one of the most interesting developments in the Legend '70s MKII.

An Acoustic Piano module was available for the original Legend '70s, but the new A.PIANO 2G represents a significant upgrade.

The new module features 2GB of internal memory, twice the capacity of the original module, together with two completely redesigned acoustic piano sample sets. Viscount has also updated the existing piano models.

The module continues to use Viscount's HDS, or High Definition Sampling, technology to reproduce the characteristics of the original acoustic instruments.

A choice of acoustic piano timbres provides different tonal characteristics, including US, German and Japanese-style grand piano sounds.

For players who want the Legend '70s to function not only as an electric piano and multi-keyboard instrument but also as their main stage piano, the improved acoustic piano section is an important addition.

Adjusting the Piano to Your Playing Style

Two dedicated controls on the A.PIANO 2G module make it easy to adjust the piano without navigating through menus.

The Dynamic control adjusts the dynamic range of the piano sound, allowing you to increase or reduce the difference between quieter and louder playing.

The Brilliance control provides immediate adjustment of the overall tonal character. It can be used to create a softer, warmer piano tone or a brighter sound with more presence.

Both controls were also available on the original Acoustic Piano module, but their immediate accessibility remains particularly useful in a performance instrument.

More Than Just Piano Sounds

The modular design allows sounds from different modules to be combined, making it easy to create layers such as acoustic piano and warm pad, or electric piano and strings.

The Sound Collection module expands the Legend '70s into more general keyboard territory, while the Synth-8 and FM Synth modules provide considerably greater scope for synthesiser sounds.

This is where the Legend '70s concept becomes particularly interesting. You can keep the instrument relatively straightforward or build a much more comprehensive stage keyboard depending on the music you play.

Designed for Live Performance

The physical design of the Legend '70s MKII contains several features that make particular sense on stage.

A three-band EQ provides quick adjustment of the overall sound, while dedicated master reverb and dual master effects sections provide immediate access to commonly used effects.

The centre of the instrument features a bright OLED display, while the control panel itself is angled towards the player, making it easier to see when performing.

There's also another deceptively simple feature that we particularly like: the top of the instrument is completely flat.

For players using a two-keyboard setup, another synth, keyboard or clonewheel organ can sit directly above the Legend '70s without being obstructed by curved surfaces or raised controls.

It's a small detail, but one that makes a lot of sense on an instrument designed for working keyboard players.

Buy the Viscount Legend '70s MKII from Bonners Music

The Viscount Legend '70s MKII is available to purchase online from Bonners Music, with UK delivery options available.

If you have an existing keyboard or piano that you'd like to upgrade, we also offer part exchange. Contact our team with details of your current instrument and we'll be happy to provide a valuation.

Bonners Music also has showrooms in Eastbourne, Reigate in Surrey, Milton Keynes and Newcastle upon Tyne, where you can try a large range of stage pianos, digital pianos and keyboards and get expert advice from our team.

Our Verdict on the Legend '70s MKII

The Legend '70s MKII doesn't abandon the ideas that made the original instrument interesting. Instead, Viscount has refined them.

The improved physical design gives the MKII a more premium feel, while the modular architecture still allows players to create an instrument around their own requirements.

For piano players, the arrival of the new 2GB A.PIANO 2G module is particularly significant. With twice the internal memory of the previous module, redesigned acoustic piano sample sets and updates to the existing piano models, the acoustic piano side of the Legend '70s has received a substantial upgrade.

Better still, the new A.PIANO 2G module is backwards-compatible with the original Legend '70s, providing an upgrade path for existing owners too.

The result is a distinctive stage instrument that can cover acoustic piano, classic electric piano, synths and general keyboard sounds, while retaining the hands-on approach that made the original Legend '70s stand out.