Recommendations for a Keyboard / Piano

[Salvador Dali Lama]

So I went out today with the intention of buying a digital piano. Just a nice $1000-ish job, I was actually thinking that $750 yamaha looks nice. Thats really the extent of my price range.

But like the foolish fool that I am, I stopped by a real piano store on teh way to just look around a bit. I plan(ned) to get a cheapish digital now and in about 2 or 3 years when I either have the cash or am in the process of begining my student loan debt, I'd buy a nice upright or a cheap used baby grand. I figured I'd set the limit at about 5 grand.

but anyway, I stumbled upon this really nice sounding Henry Miller upright for $2300, brand new. and the way this piano store does it, anything you ever buy from them has 100% trade in value for the next 15 years. so If i wanted to get a nicer one in a few years, I would give it back to them and they would put that 2300 towards the new one.

Now thats really a bit out of my range right now but I COULD scrape it together. it would be a bit painful, but it could be done. of course the ruthless bastards at the store think its a grand idea to just go ahead with it.

what do you guys think? I dont really even have space for it, but space could be made. and thats damn cheap for a nice piano. I suppose the keys could be heavier, but thats just my thing for the feel of a grand speaking. its quite a nice instrument. and it would be an investment. it would just mean ramen noodles for a while, which is cool anyway.

and granted, digital pianos suck.

i'm really awful about descicions like this though. thoughts?

As for myself, I use piano for studying theory and the sound of chord progressions, only. I'm thinking about trading my little 30+ years old spinet/console(?) because it won't stay anywhere near in tune, for a digital. The digital looks quite attractive to me; no tuning costs.
The *only* reasons that I still have it are sentimental and it's a nice piece of furniture.

[mke]

What an excruciating choice!

Do you have an neighbour/noise level problems?
Will the cheap piano really work out better in the long run than the digital (re-sale value aside)?

Then again, I have a (pretty old) Clavinova, but take my lessons on a baby grand, it's such a joy. I tire a lot more quickly on the Clavinova.

This was probably of little help.

[jazzwriter]

I'm just curious - I just SOLD a Baby Grand (we're moving to a humidity filled climate) and am seriously considering either the Yamaha P90 or P120. Anybody out there have experience with either of these? Any recs?

[moley]

I've got a Yamaha P80, and I love it. In October or so, I'll have had it 3 years - and it's great. The action and feel is very good, and I'm very impressed by the piano sounds. They're the two things I was after - the action/feel, and the realistic piano sounds.

The P90 is based on the P80, so presumably it's just as good if not better, but I've never played one.

I'm not sure what the price is - I got it new for £700 or so, but it will probably be less now.

But, I'd say that of all the digital pianos I've played, this is my favourite.

[Emankcin]

I am an aspiring jazz piano player and I've just started playing gigs with some of my friends from school. I've noticed that a lot of the pianos I have been playing on really suck, and so I'm thinking about buying some kind of electric piano. The one I have been really considering is a fender rhodes, since they are pretty cheap, fairly easily obtainable (ebay) and the sound is generated percussively, not electronically.
I would like to get something that feels as close to a piano as possible (with fairly stiff action), but with its own sound (not a synthesizer.) From what I have seen, the Rhodes stands up to these criteria pretty well; but I don't know much about any other electric pianos. Also, if I do get a Rhodes, which model fits my criteria most closely?

Thanks 8)

[hearsay]

I don't know about Rhodes models, probably the earlier ones. A slightly cheaper option is a Wurlitzer which is sounds similar and has piano action, but is small (in size and keys) and less dynamic, but still quite good.

[VIBEr]

I think the Rhodes is an excellent choice, since there are several models from which to choose. In addition, many contemporary artists are reverting to using the Rhodes again for the reason you mention - which is a real mechanical touch as opposed to an electronically generated "touch". I've owned four of them in my life, although I no longer own any due to my own advancing age and hauling them around.

Basically there are two models: the Stage (keyboard only) and the Suitcase (which includes four 12" speakers enclosed). Both models come in 73 and 88 key models, and I recommend the Stage 73 over the 88 since the extreme ends of the 88 tend to sound muddy on the low end and thin on the high. And the models that are labelled "Fender Rhodes" are older early 1970's models than the later models that are not Fender-owned and only are labelled "Rhodes".

There are some cosmetic variations on the models such as a plastic top instead of wood, but does not change the sound of the instrument.

I also like the Wurlitzer, but I tend to consider it a good rock and roll instrument as opposed to the Rhodes being more jazz-friendly. The Wurly also has a very mushy loose feel to the keyboard, which again is good for rock but not as good for jazz.

Happy hunting.

[Emankcin]

Wow, thanks for the info!

I think I will feel a lot more comfortable now in putting up my cash for a Rhodes.

[Jazzooo]

Hmmm--I may be too late, but I'm going to say "Don't do it."

Rhodes were fantastic, but they were contstantly going out of tune and are a pain in the ass to tune. When you break a tine or tine--and you will--what are you going to do then? The company is long gone.

Go try a yamaha S80. Yeah, it's a synth. But the weighted keys feel more like an acoustic than a mushy old Rhodes, dude! And the Rhodes and Wurly sounds are terrific.

[petros]

I have owned a real Rhodes and all the digital pianos (Kurzweil, Roland, Yamaha, Technics, etc)
Yamaha's P120 is the best I have gigged with. It's only 40 lbs, has a great weighted action with the most realistic pianistic response. It behaves dynamicly more like a piano than the other models. It also has a good Rhodes imitation and built in stereo monitor speakers. The new Yamaha P90 loses the great Rhodes patch and the speakers, weighs 36 lbs.

[hglord]

This is really, really painful. Really, really.

My parents bought a Baldwin Acrosonic spinet piano for me to learn on when I was eight years old. That was forty-eight years ago. I still have the piano and it's been a wonderful instrument. It kept its tuning through dry, northern winters and humid summers. I've moved it from house to house. It took a licking and kept on playing.

Finally, it won't stay in tune for four months after a very competant piano technician tuned it and worked it over.

It hurts my ears to play it, but I need to play. I play every day. I have to.

The technician, whom I trust, says that it's finally showing its age. I don't think it can be fixed anymore -- in the sense that no matter what I do it won't hold its tuning.

From my point-of-view, a 9' Steinway or Boesendorfer would be a reasonable replacement, but I can't afford those. I love this ax and don't really know what to do.

So ... should I get rid of it and buy, oh, a Kurzweil 2500 or something like that? Or a Yamaha P250? Or something else? What?

Less emotionally, I've read that the Kurzweils are great instruments, but their QA is lousy and their customer service is worse than terrible. Is this true? How's the touch on these instruments? Are any of them close to a real piano or should I just save for the next twenty years until I can buy something real?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Harvey

[jazzy mary]

hglord, You have to buy a new piano, man! My daughters were playing this nice electric Yamaha I got them for X-mas a couple of years ago because I couldn't afford the "real thing". About a month ago, I bought a for real used upright piano---what a difference!! It's soooo much better for them. The weight of the keys, the pedals, the sound---everything! They're ecstatic.

If you can't afford a grand (who can?) buy a nice upright or even not so nice of one--but buy a for real piano. That's what you've been used to and what you love!

[hglord]

Hi JM.

I know that I want a real piano. I just despair of ever being able to afford one.

In any case, I'd never buy anything that I hadn't played first. The talk about Kurzweil and Yamaha and whatever is just talk until I play and like it. I've read that the Kurzweils have as good a touch as real pianos, short of Steinways and Boesendorfers.

Thanks.

Harvey

[jazzy mary]

Oh, of course, you'd try out the the various ones. We did that too and some of them are quite expensive, actually--$3,000.00 etc.

But, ain't nothing like the real thing, baby. You could always buy one on time or look for a used one!

[scotpgot]

I played a real piano for 15 years (Samick baby grand). LOVED it. Then I moved and couldn't take it with me.

I recently bought a Yamah FP-5, as far as I'm concerned it's pretty darn close to a real piano. The touch is nice. The sound is wonderful, and best of all for jazzers there's a session partner that's actually pretty slick.

Runs around $1500.

[hglord]

Are you talking about the Roland FP-5? I did a Google search and didn't find anything for Yamaha FP-5. I'll put the Roland FP-5 on my list of axes to try.

Thanks.

[bluenoter]

Originally Posted by hglord

My parents bought a Baldwin Acrosonic spinet piano for me to learn on when I was eight years old.

My family had an Acrosonic when I was a child too, and I practiced for piano lessons on it. I have no advice, but I sympathize!

[hglord]

Thank you, Bluenoter.

I discovered that the piano can be fixed! It only costs about $2500. Which I don't have.

A new, electronic keyboard, Korg SP-200, costs about $800. I don't have that, either. Does anyone here have experience with an SP-200? What do you think of it?

I'm still trying to sell either my tenor sax or my baritone to get the cash, but there haven't been any bites, yet.

What Scarlett said.

[Cem]

I'd appreciate some tips on how to pick a good piano & the right one for the restaurant/venue we're opening here. It seats 96 legally in about 2700 square feet. All kinds of music will be played on it by players of varying skill levels. I've been looking at baby grands, but if we have to, we may have to go with a good upright. I'm trying to find a decent loaner or a freebie/donation through a good, generous samaritan or through estate sales. If not, I'll look at rental, rent to own, lease etc. In case we're stuck with an upright, players have suggested Yamaha U-3 as a good workhorse. I'm leaning towards a very playable baby grand. I've been looking at various Canadian baby grands at about $12,000 CAD, a little spendy for us, but we do not want a useless piece of crap with a cracked board obviously. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[walto]

Probably be better off with a good Yamaha upright than a mediocre baby grand.

[petros]

But be careful, most Yamaha uprights are not very good. You would be best off with a Steinway or Mason and Hamlin.

[VIBEr]

Here's a tip: if you're looking at an ebony piano and it's shiny, AVOID IT. Certain Asian models are poorly constructed and they're shiny to make it look more pleasing to the eye. Ebony is not supposed to be shiny or waxed.

[Jazzooo]

As a piano player, I strongly disagree--I would rather play a mediocre grand than a great upright, especially live in a club. There are way too may issues with sightlines between players to even consider an upright unless you have no other choice.

I suggest looking at Kawais and even Baldwins. They make less expensive grands (start at the 5'8" length). Good luck!

[JazzAt52ndStreet]

Yamaha has developed a bad rep for producing crap equipment, but i know for a fact they make a real nice drum set, and I have a great sounding upright in my living room.

The whole thing about "production line" made instruments, is a myth....unless they're low end, which is prodction line anywhere so it doesn't really make a difference.
They kinda make a thin sounding bass though...I've only really heard a few so I don't really know.

my 2C...not much to do with the original post, sorry.

-dRutCH

[Cem]

Thank you all for your input. Yesterday, Vancouver pianist Paul Plimley was kind enough to go piano shopping with me. He played about 15 pianos at 3 stores. He seemed to like a Yamaha C-3 as the best bang for the buck...20 years old, 6'1", good shape, decent sound at $9,500...not bad. I'm gonna seriously consider this one. I'm still hoping for a winning the lottery type deal...we'll see. Any thoughts on C-3's?

[Bob Keller]

I have a C3 and I really love it. The sound is bright tho'.
My teacher, a professional jazz player, has a Kawai and it
has a more mellow sound. I notice that some of the jazz
clubs seem to use Kawai. I'm not sure about the relative
pricing, but the price you site seems reasonable, although
the instrument is a bit on the old side.

[Coda]

I would like to get a keyboard but have no idea on how to begin deciding which make or model to purchase. My criteria in order of importance is:

1. Want the keyboard to have a 'real' piano touch when striking the keys
2. Want all 88 keys
3. Would like this to be a small and portable as possible
4. As inexpensive as possible
5. Would like a decent sound quality, but it does not need to be professional

This first requirement eliminates all of the low end products. Any recommendations?

[walto]

Buy a Yamaha electric piano.

[Dr Dave]

Check out this link:

Choosing a Digital Piano.