IK is having a buy Sampletank, get 6 free instrument packs deal. I need a good sounding ,lightweight (sample size) piano or two. That makes it worth it, unless it is unwieldy, cumbersome, or glitchy. I downloaded Sampletank2 for use primarily with Band in a Box. It was OK, but I didn't really care for the interface, or the fact that I had to load a GM Map every time I opened BIAB.
My questions are, 1) do you like it? 2) Is the interface significantly better ,in your opinions 3) does it try to replace version 2 or does it stand on it's own?

Guitar Center will be having a sale on SampleTank 3 SE tomorrow...

It usually sells for $99.99...so I'm guessing the Sale Price will be $49.99..but
can't say for sure.  I just paid $49.99 at Musicians Friend for it a few weeks ago,
and they are the same company, so I'm guessing that that will be the price...
I posted the sale here:
http://forum.cakewalk.com/SampleTank-SE-m3307869.aspx
 
If you buy that, you will get 5 free instruments right away, and if it goes to 2000
then you will get the 6th.

The ST 3 Pianos are nice and "Light weight", meaning they have a very small footprint.
About 1 Gig each.  Obviously not the best, but not the worst either...especially when
you're getting them for free.

The interface is VASTLY improved...and 64 bit...which is a major bonus...

Also, it stands on it's own, but you CAN import all of your ST 2 instruments
into it...
 

Looks like $99 now. I don't care though, if you get all the freebies. I've dealt with these guys before. When they run a special you really get your money's worth. I have one question for you though. You mentioned loading ST2 samples in. How's that work in a 64bit environment?I'm almost positive everything I have in ST2 is 32bit

orangesporanges
Looks like $99 now. I don't care though, if you get all the freebies. I've dealt with these guys before. When they run a special you really get your money's worth. I have one question for you though. You mentioned loading ST2 samples in. How's that work in a 64bit environment?I'm almost positive everything I have in ST2 is 32bit

ST 3 SE and ST 3 Full will import all the old samples.  And they work perfectly fine...

I advise just waiting to see what the price is tomorrow at GC...you have until Saturday to 
enter the Group Buy...

Get the MP+ ST3 SE bundle from Thomann.de. It's the best deal for Sampletank, trust me.

Soundwise
Get the MP+ ST3 SE bundle from Thomann.de. It's the best deal for Sampletank, trust me.

Problem is the "bundled" versions don't count towards the Group Buy

cclarryProblem is the "bundled" versions don't count towards the Group Buy

Hardware doesn't, software does. But anyway, that's a good price, no reason to regret buying it.

orangesporanges
My questions are, 1) do you like it? 2) Is the interface significantly better ,in your opinions 3) does it try to replace version 2 or does it stand on it's own?

1. No. I don't use it, and regret buying it.
2. Yes. ST3's UI is light years beyond ST2's. Huge improvement.
3. No. That had been my hope, as I used ST2 a lot. But ST3's breadth of sounds is narrower than ST2's.
 
The question you didn't ask...
4. Yes, most of the samples are better than ST2, but a few are much worse, and even the best ones are not in the same league with quality Kontakt libraries.

You can actually download and try the free Sample Tank Custom Shop to see if you like the interface.
It comes with a small library of sounds. You will NOT be able to load your old Sample Tank 2 sounds in this free version. You need to purchase SE or Full sample Tank 3 in order to load you old Sample Tank 2 sounds.
 
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/sampletankcs/
 
As the others said, This is great software if you are on a budget.
The SampleTank 3 interface is better than Sample Tank 2.
Get the SE version for about 100 US dollars and get 5 free libraries, 3 of these are pianos. Purchase and register before OCT 31 2015 to get the 5 freebies.