Digital piano suggestions

JLS

Member
I'm looking to purchase a digital piano. It's been years since I've played regularly and would like to relearn what I have forgotten(and more). Can anyone make suggestions for a digital piano that is under $500? I would like something with weighted graded hammer action, good quality piano and organ voices (other voices like guitar and drums wouldn't be used) and support for pedals(piano/organ).

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

:cheers:
 
Corno Dolce

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Aloha JLS,

Off the top of my head and hands down and most bang for the buck you might like to look into ProKeys88sx by M Audio @ MSRP of $449.95

Cheers,

CD :):):)
 
Contratrombone64

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
JLS - you won't get a digital piano for that price, you will get a synthesizer. A digital piano (full keyboard) is expensive BECAUSE of the keywork and weighting and so forth.
 

JLS

Member
CT64,

I was afraid of that. It's been quite a while since I last priced digital pianos...I was hoping the prices had come down. They have, but apparently not quite enough for my budget.

CD,

How is the action compared to more expensive instruments?

I also noticed on the website that it only supports sustain, sostenuto and expression pedal inputs. Do either of you (or any other readers of this thread) know of a budget digital piano that supports a full pedalboard? What range of price are we talking about for such an instrument?
 
Contratrombone64

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
I bought a Yamaha synthesizer (not quite fully range of the piano) and it does have weighted keys (mind you nothing like a proper digital piano OR (of course) accoustic one). I love it because I live in a flat/apartment/condo/unit (delete whichever is irrelevant in your local dialect) and I can put on my headphones and play noisy crap at 3 in the morning without getting a brick through my window ...

And, totally off topic, I see your a Los Angelino ... one of my all time FAVourite cities in the world. I had the rare pleasure of being shown around by a man who also adores LA. He, of course, doesn't give a f**k for Hollywood or Tinsletown aspects. In fact, his PhD was on the bookshop culture and emergence of LA in the 1930s ... so I got LA from a very different perspective to that dished up in travel brochures.
 

JLS

Member
Contratrombone64 said:
I bought a Yamaha synthesizer (not quite fully range of the piano) and it does have weighted keys (mind you nothing like a proper digital piano OR (of course) accoustic one). I love it because I live in a flat/apartment/condo/unit (delete whichever is irrelevant in your local dialect) and I can put on my headphones and play noisy crap at 3 in the morning without getting a brick through my window ...
Click to expand...

Exactly my predicament. No room for the real thing. I grew up playing both piano and organ so had both in my house. The organ was sold 20 years ago when I stopped playing and the piano remains at my parents' house. Alas, I have no room for either in my current house and have recently had the almost overwhelming urge to start playing again. Hence, the digital piano with full pedalboard.

And, totally off topic, I see your a Los Angelino ... one of my all time FAVourite cities in the world. I had the rare pleasure of being shown around by a man who also adores LA. He, of course, doesn't give a f**k for Hollywood or Tinsletown aspects. In fact, his PhD was on the bookshop culture and emergence of LA in the 1930s ... so I got LA from a very different perspective to that dished up in travel brochures.
Click to expand...
Quite possibly the most culturally diverse city in the world. I loved growing up there and miss it right now. I'm living a few hours north in San Luis Obispo, for the moment.

I truly miss the restaurants...:cry:
 
Contratrombone64

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
Oh, yeah, actually the link was more to point out Yamaha's amazing range of keyboards, not that particular product ... though, now you point it out, I will read the spec.
 
Soubasse

Soubasse

New member
Hi JLS,

You might have more choice in your price range if you can be bothered scouring the second-hand market. It does depend on your needs - if you are just after something on which to practice piano pieces, then many a 2nd-hand Korg, Roland, Yamaha or even Casio piano has a 88-key decent weighted action and acceptable piano sounds. For example, the school I teach at has an older model Roland (HP 2900 to be precise) in the computer lab - it's perfectly playable and if you found one 2nd-hand would most likely fit you budget.

In fact speaking of schools, some are in the habit of upgrading gear which means you could get something decent yet cheap if you ask around. Just a thought.

MPA
 
Corno Dolce

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
I can only echo my distinguished colleague from Adelaide in regards to second-hand instruments.
 

JLS

Member
Good suggestions. I was able to find a couple of the Yamahas and the Prokeys 88sx on ebay for reasonable prices. Maybe I'll check craigslist as well.
 
Corno Dolce

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
How excellent! I wish you best of success in finding the machine of your dreams at a price within your means.
 
Soubasse

Soubasse

New member
Good call on Craigslist - do it. I've not actually purchased from them but know plenty of folk who have and secured some very good deals from there (usually better than eflay as well).

FWIW, I wasn't overly fond of the Prokeys I found the action to be a bit on the heavy side. My personal preference has been for the Roland weighted action with Korg coming in a close second. Roland have had the most comfortable action for me even in their older models - and this is coming from an organist who doesn't really respond all that well to a piano action anyway. As usual though it's all down to personal preference (and how strong your wrists are). Good luck with anyway JLS - hope you find what you need.

Corno Dolce said:
Contratrombone64 said:
I'll second that, too, or is that third it?
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You'll second my motion and third Soubasse's motion.
Click to expand...
But he was seconding your second, so by you seconding my original motion, he then seconds the second which would make it a fourth wouldn't it? Or does thirding a motion actually bypass the second altogether? Then again ...

<message abruptly ends as head explodes>
 
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