Hi sugarplumsss. I'll break down your questions and give you my best opinions
:
T4 partsIt's not surprising that T4 parts are scarce due to the age of the keyboard. In general, the older a device the less chance of finding parts in a hurry. I'm not sure about Genos parts. I'd like to think the stock would be pretty healthy under normal world circumstances but we've had three years of Covid and now this Russian butcher Putin thinking he's God. These events definitely factor in.
T5 or GenosI'm not sure about availability of either keyboard. Again, due to world circumstances, either one could be difficult to find. Perhaps you could ask you favorite music store owner to keep an eye out for a good used one or new one from another store that wants to clear out old stock. I've always dealt with Long and McQuade. They are in Canada. I see you're from California. I'm not familiar with the music store chains in the U.S.
T5 vs. Genos soundWhile some claim that the Genos has little advantage over the T5, others claim there is a huge difference. The T5 is still a great sounding keyboard but I find the stage sound of the Genos to be far superior. I think Yamaha improved the sound processor in the Genos. Sound is very subjective too. When comparing the two keyboards, one must play them both through the same set of speakers of good quality in the same sitting. Our acoustic memory is extremely short, so playing a T5 today and a Genos tomorrow is basically meaningless.
DrumsI hear a noticeable difference in the Genos drums. They sound more realistic to me. My only complaint is the kick drums in all kits are WAY too loud and must be turned down - not a smooth chore based on the Genos operating system! I think Yamaha EQed the kick drums for use with the Genos speakers. When played through large speakers and subs, the kick sounds like explosions and booms! A kick drum should be felt, not heard. When I do sound for a band, I sometimes mic the kick drum in a real kit. I EQ it and adjust the volume so it feels like a very gentle tap on your chest bone. It should just reinforce the meter of the song, not turn it into a single note melody the way the Genos kicks are setup.
T5 advantageThe only advantage I see in any of the Tyros keyboards over the Genos is the stellar build quality. The Genos is pathetic in terms of build quality. It may be fine for a home player but it cant take the rigors of the stage. It stains easily, which you can't clean. The button surfaces are wearing out. One button on mine is broken already. I was hoping for a good will warranty from Yamaha, after I've spent close to $30,000 with them over the past few decades, but they basically told me to jump in the lake. I treat my Genos like a new born kitten. I've used a few Tyros keyboards, PSR keyboards, Yamaha stage pianos, and the same instruments from Korg, Roland, and Nord. None of them were as pathetic as the Genos in terms of build quality.
SummaryThe Tyros 5 is an excellent instrument that is not too far behind the Genos for home use but the Genos sound is far better in a band or arranger show setting. The T5 is built like a tank, whereas my grandchildren's $39 toy arranger keyboard is far more robust in its build quality than my Genos. I would be happy owning either one, depending on what you're going to use it for - home playing or live stage.
Hope this help you out a bit 😀.
