Digital Pianos, Entry level recommendations Options

[A.U.K]

Hello all, this is really not my territory but my neighbours require a digital piano with a reasonable piano action, silence/ headphones etc for an 9 year old girl. I have pointed out that an acoustic piano would be the best thing but they are adamant that they want a digital piano..

Any recommendations please..or does anyone have something half decent for sale.

Thanks

Andrew

[Seer_Green]

A lot will depend on price - any ideas what their price range might be?

[A.U.K]

A lot will depend on price - any ideas what their price range might be?

No not as yet so lets aim at something not too expensive, the child is a flautist and for some bizzare reason her grandpa now thinks she should have a keyboard..I have enough to contend with keeping her flute on an even keel with regard to dedicated technique and practice but if he thinks I am helping out with the keyboard as well he has another think coming.

Give me a starting off point please something that isn't too bad and isnt likely to break the bank..he's not poor but lets not go mad with his money..

Ta ever so.

Andrew

[Viledin4u]

A lot will depend on price - any ideas what their price range might be?

No not as yet so lets aim at something not too expensive, the child is a flautist and for some bizzare reason her grandpa now thinks she should have a keyboard..I have enough to contend with keeping her flute on an even keel with regard to dedicated technique and practice but if he thinks I am helping out with the keyboard as well he has another think coming.

Give me a starting off point please something that isn't too bad and isnt likely to break the bank..he's not poor but lets not go mad with his money..

Ta ever so.

Andrew

We got a Kawai CN33 and like it : ) Did a bit of research prior to buying and it seemed to get good feedback

[corenfa]

Three years ago when I was trying digitals, the Kawais seemed to me to have the most realistic actions (I tried Kawais, Yamahas and Rolands). I have not tried the latest Yamahas, but I didn't really like the latest top of the line Roland (which won't really be a contender anyway as it costs 17000 GBP).

This thread may have more details-

http://www.abrsm.org/forum/index.php?showtopic=44993

[vectistim]

You have a choice at entry level (c.400-450 pounds):

Yamaha P95
Casio Privia PX-130/5
Korg SP170/250

I haven't played a Korg. I've played a different Yamaha machine that has the same keyboard action as the P95 and its perfectly acceptable, but I prefer the action in the PX-130 (I have a 330 which has the same action); PX130s are being phased out and replaced with the 135 (which I haven't tried), which is meant to have had some minor improvements.

I would say both the P95 and PX330 actions are better than most of the acoustics in the university practice rooms.

If you step up to the thousand pound mark then the Yamaha P155 is probably the choice, the next step after that will probably be the Kawai CN-33.

All of these (apart from the CN-33) are more keyboard/slab style, so you put them on a stand, rather than them looking like an upright piano.

[Seer_Green]

These are the recommendations I make to my pupils, depending of course, on price. Be aware that some don't include a stand/stool.

For people who don't want to spend very much, and want something a bit better than a keyboard:

Yamaha NP30
Casio CDP-100
Korg Micro Piano

400-500GBP:

Yamaha P-95
Korg SP170

500-700GBP:

Korg SP250
Yamaha YDP141

700GBP+:

Roland F-110

[vectistim]

These are the recommendations I make to my pupils, depending of course, on price. Be aware that some don't include a stand/stool.

For people who don't want to spend very much, and want something a bit better than a keyboard:

Yamaha NP30
Casio CDP-100
Korg Micro Piano

400-500GBP:

Yamaha P-95
Korg SP170

500-700GBP:

Korg SP250
Yamaha YDP141

700GBP+:

Roland F-110

As in my post above, I think you need to add the Casio PX130/5 to your 400-500 range.
As I understand it the NP30 in your bottom list is only a spring loaded machine rather than weighted keys.

[oldromola]

I have pointed out that an acoustic piano would be the best thing but they are adamant that they want a digital piano..

They are right to be adamant in my humble opinion! Of course a Steinway grand piano sounds better than any digital, but for 99.9% of us the way forward is via the latter.

[balu114]

I bought a second hand (perhaps third) Yamaha Clarinova (I think CVP-65, not sure) that was at least 15 years old. It even came with floppy discs with recorded music...

Yamaha Clarinova series is fairly expensive (?1500-?3000) if bought new but there are plenty of old ones available on ebay and gumtree.

[Seer_Green]

As in my post above, I think you need to add the Casio PX130/5 to your 400-500 range.
As I understand it the NP30 in your bottom list is only a spring loaded machine rather than weighted keys.

Thanks for your suggestion. I advise about the NP30 because to me, it's one step up from a keyboard and is, at the end of the day around the level most people can afford when starting out.

[A.U.K]

I have pointed out that an acoustic piano would be the best thing but they are adamant that they want a digital piano..

They are right to be adamant in my humble opinion! Of course a Steinway grand piano sounds better than any digital, but for 99.9% of us the way forward is via the latter.

I am not entirely sure how to take your response..why are they right to be adamant.? I was not for one moment suggesting that they purchase a Steinway Grand but feel as many Piano teachers do that an acoustic piano would be preferable if possible which in this instance it is. I am not suggesting that digital pianos don't have a place and they are much improved but for what they cost a good secondhand acoustic piano could easily be bought. There's not a lot of difference size wise and to me it seems sensible to learn on a more traditional piano..

Thanks to all for the suggestions I will pass them on..

Andrew

[Dulcet]

I have pointed out that an acoustic piano would be the best thing but they are adamant that they want a digital piano..

They are right to be adamant in my humble opinion! Of course a Steinway grand piano sounds better than any digital, but for 99.9% of us the way forward is via the latter.

I am not entirely sure how to take your response..why are they right to be adamant.? I was not for one moment suggesting that they purchase a Steinway Grand but feel as many Piano teachers do that an acoustic piano would be preferable if possible which in this instance it is. I am not suggesting that digital pianos don't have a place and they are much improved but for what they cost a good secondhand acoustic piano could easily be bought. There's not a lot of difference size wise and to me it seems sensible to learn on a more traditional piano..

Thanks to all for the suggestions I will pass them on..

Andrew

We decided to put ?1k as our limit two years ago and the clear winner for us on sound was Yamaha CLP-320, which was just over ?900. The next model up was better but it wasn't ?300/ 25% better. I hated the Roland sound, but then I hate the Steinway sound. Have to say though that now at rising G4 we are starting to feel the need for a real piano... *sigh* (whilst understanding the adamance - what on earth is the noun which derives from "adamant" - argument as stated above!)

[Seer_Green]

I would still maintain that a good digital is always better than a bad acoustic.

[VH2]

Of course a Steinway grand piano sounds better than any digital, but for 99.9% of us the way forward is via the latter.

I think that depends on who is playing it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)