Affordable nice Rhodes sounding keyboard

martinuriarte

New member
Dear all,
I am a beginner keyboard player and I am looking for an affordable keyboard (below 500-750 EUR, second hand would be OK too) that has a good rhodes sound and a decent acoustic piano sound.
What would be the best rhodes sounding affordable keyboard (ideally with built in speakers)?
Thanks very much!
 

John Watt

Member
This is surprising to me, seeing a new millennium keyboardist looking for "a good rhodes sound".
I'm assuming this is a Fender Rhodes sound, what's been way out of style for a long, long time.
The original Rhodes were so plonky and wonky they had to be heavily equalized before they blended with other instruments.

You can only get a Fender Rhodes sound from a Fender Rhodes. I'll stick with that.
 

Mat

Sr. Regulator
Staff member
Sr. Regulator
Regulator
The only keyboard in this price range that comes to my mind would be Casio Privia series. Check out the PX-135 model. Now, I'm not sure, but I think I heard it can also be used as MIDI keyboard. If it's true, you could hook it up with your PC and get some additional VST instruments.

Also, if you're willing to spend a bit more, take a look at Kurzweil's SP4 series and Roland's FP4 series.

Or you could get a regular MIDI keyboard and then buy VST instruments. There are some really well-sampled Rhodes and Grand Piano sounds available. Though, if you plan to use it for gigs, it might not be the most "comfortable" solution, as you'd have to hook it up with a laptop everytime.
 

martinuriarte

New member
The only keyboard in this price range that comes to my mind would be Casio Privia series. Check out the PX-135 model. Now, I'm not sure, but I think I heard it can also be used as MIDI keyboard. If it's true, you could hook it up with your PC and get some additional VST instruments.

Also, if you're willing to spend a bit more, take a look at Kurzweil's SP4 series and Roland's FP4 series.

Or you could get a regular MIDI keyboard and then buy VST instruments. There are some really well-sampled Rhodes and Grand Piano sounds available. Though, if you plan to use it for gigs, it might not be the most "comfortable" solution, as you'd have to hook it up with a laptop everytime.

Thanks very much Mat!

I am a beginner and just plan to play at home here. Sorry for my ignorance her but do you know if with any of the pianos that you mention is possible to plug the Kurzweil or the Roland to your copmputer and buy SVT instruments? Are these SVT instruments what people calls patches?
Thanks!
 

Mat

Sr. Regulator
Staff member
Sr. Regulator
Regulator
No problem, Martin.

I think that Kurzweil's stage pianos can work as a MIDI keyboard for VST instruments. Not 100% sure, though. I think it'll be best if you'll just go on their website and make a query about a particular model.

Here's a an article from Wikipedia that you might wanna read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_Studio_Technology

You have to think what's better for you. If you buy a stage piano with all sounds "built in", all you need is just a power supply and a connection to speakers.

If you buy a MIDI keyboard, you need to have it hooked up to a PC/laptop at all times. Plus, you'll need to look for the particular instruments you want and buy them. Of course, there is some free software available but it's usually not as good. So, you'll have to be careful not to spend more on the keyboard+sofware than you would spend on a reagular stage piano, which comes with all the needed features naturally.

If you are a total beginner and computer technology overwhelms you, I would advise you to buy a stage piano. It's much easier to operate and it comes with hundreds of different sounds to choose from. Plug the power supply, the speakers (if they're not built in) and you're ready to go.
 

John Watt

Member
Yeah! I think Mat's saying it all, except that I'd want a full-scale keyboard I'm getting used to,
developing my finger techniques.
Kurzweil! A genius with electronics. A beautiful recommendation.
 

Soubasse

New member
Most low to mid range priced digital pianos these days, be they Korg, Yamaha, Roland, etc, will come bundled with serviceable EP sounds such as Rhodes, Wurlys, and even that godawful DX7 sound. I'll second Mat's suggestion of the Casio Privia and especially the Roland FP4 - we have one of those at our school and the EP sounds are very playable (and I'm happy to have a real Rhodes at home for comparison! :) ) You shouldn't have too much trouble picking up something like these in your budget.
 

martinuriarte

New member
Thanks very much for your advise Soubasse. I think I will go to my local music shop and see if I can check any of the keyborads that you all mentioned and make a choice. Thanks very much!
 

John Watt

Member
I just saw a Jump Music keyboard on sale for $40 at Ric's Buy and Sell in Welland, Ontario.
You need a device because it just plugs into your computer to record, and you have to find the sounds you want.
I didn't like it, as a keyboard. Sure, I could put together CD or DVD recordings with it,
but it was only two octaves.
I'd buy an 88 key with full sensitivity keyboard, just to have an instrument I'm used to playing,
and that's like a real piano,
only something you can plug into anything to play live, record, or send online.
That way you might be able to jam with me, if you get pre-approved.
 
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