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09/02/2007 04:19:41 PM · #1 |
I'm thinking about buying a keyboard to substitute for a piano for the time being. I'm probably 5-10 years away from buying a piano and Caden is getting to the age where piano lessons are something to think about. The problem is, I have no idea where to start looking. I'm basically looking for a near-full # of keys (perhaps it doesn't have to have 88), realistic weighting, and the more varied the sound responsiveness to your touch, the better (are we beyond just loud/soft with hitting the key?).
Anybody got ideas where to start? The price I have in mind is maybe two thousand dollars, but really that's a number out of a hat. I don't HAVE to spend that much or maybe it's a pipe dream to spend that little.
Dredging the DPC collective wisdom once more... |
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09/02/2007 04:33:11 PM · #2 |
Two thousand dollars should get you more than everything you are looking for. Even consumer keyboards now have pressure sensitive keys and a few have weighted keys. Most consumer keyboards have 61 keys instead of 88 though.
For two thousand, you should be able to get a fairly high-end pro model, however, many of those will require some sort of external amplification.
Your best bet is to stop by a local music store (Guitar Center rocks!) and check some of them out and ask about them.
Message edited by author 2007-09-02 16:34:17.
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09/02/2007 04:34:47 PM · #3 |
You will want weighted keys to be close to a real piano so I suggest the Yamaha or Roland digital pianos.. I used to have the Roland VK-88 Hammond Organ clone, very nice machine. My sister has a Yamaha Piano that is also very good quality and well within $2000 if you buy used.
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09/02/2007 04:35:54 PM · #4 |
Ditto on the Yamaha keyboards. Hard to beat them.
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09/02/2007 04:38:14 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Ditto on the Yamaha keyboards. Hard to beat them. |
Ditto, Ditto the Yamaha keyboards, visit their website and drool :)) |
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09/02/2007 04:41:01 PM · #6 |
Check the music section of eBay and Amazon to get some idea of pricing used and new, and features. You may find them in excellent shape used at music stores or pawn shops that are frequented by local musicians, not necessiarily the "keyboard" stores. The pro models are quite dependable and rugged.
A lot of people buy the ones with all the bells and whistles, and when they find that they don't have the talent to ring the bells, they sell them cheap.
$500 US and another couple of hundred for a good amp should be enough to get an excellent one for a beginner.
I also recommend Yamaha, having been a pro musician for about 15 years before getting married.
If you shop right, you will save enough cash for a nice new lens. : )
Message edited by author 2007-09-02 16:42:43.
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09/02/2007 05:08:39 PM · #7 |
Darn, I sold mom's electric piano for a giveaway price of $600. Wish I'd have known sooner!
Try to get a full 88 keys if possible, so he's used to it. Unless you want the other bells and whistles, I'd recommend an electric piano over a keyboard. I haven't had recent experience with keyboards, but any I have tried, no matter their claims, just aren't the same.
And I agree, Yamaha are probably your best bet unless you want to go big bucks.
Message edited by author 2007-09-02 17:09:54. |
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09/02/2007 06:03:36 PM · #8 |
| We have a Yamaha Clavinova CLP 120, which I don't see on their website anymore. We paid around 2,000 for it 3 or 4 years ago. The closest to it I can find is here. Andrea says the big thing is to not settle for a partial keyboard. You really want the full set of keys. |
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09/02/2007 06:20:27 PM · #9 |
Thanks guys, what do you think about this one?
Yamaha ydp-113 |
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09/02/2007 07:11:24 PM · #10 |
I bought the Korg Concert 5000 about 10 years ago. At that time, Korg had the most realistic piano sounds of any electronic keyboard. They have spent a LOT of time getting that sound right.
Yeah, lot's of people like Yamaha's. I'm not one of them. I personally think the piano sounds they produce are a little too tinky for me. But then again, I'm a perfectionist when it comes to music.
Check out the following:
MusiciansBuy.com
BHPhotoVideo - Professional Stage Pianos
BHPhotoVideo - Home Digital Pianos
... and remember, you DO get what you pay for. |
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09/02/2007 07:18:17 PM · #11 |
| Hey, You should check out "Roland" they're not bad, I have one myself. |
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09/02/2007 07:26:11 PM · #12 |
First piece of advice - If you already have a teacher lined up, ask them. It does depend on how serious you want to get with the lessons, and how serious the teacher is. Some really serious teachers will not allow students to play digital pianos, but this is probably rare. I've heards that the yamaha Clavinova pianos are supposed to be very good, because they have the closest feel to a real piano. It's the feel and action of the piano that matters when learning, more so than the sound. For this reason, a lot of teachers say a cheaper real piano is better than a more expensive digital piano, and a lot of piano players would rather play an old out of tune, kick-around real piano than a top of the line digital piano.
I've bought plenty of musical instruments over the years, and I have a rule to buy the best I can afford. Cheap musical instruments work, and seem to do the job, but just don't bring pleasure, and they just don't get played. However, buying the best feeling instrument you can afford, it brings joy everytime I play, so I play it more, and practice more, and it's been far more cost-effective (enjoyment per dollar) than the much cheaper instruments I've bought).
If you or your family can already play, then go to a big music store and spend a few hours trying out all different sorts of pianos, both real and electronic. Even more than cameras, musical instruments are all about how they feel. :)
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09/02/2007 07:53:48 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by surfdabbler:
It's the feel and action of the piano that matters when learning, more so than the sound. |
Couldn't agree more.
I personally wouldn't buy one unless I was first able to sit down and try one out. The feel is everything. Same as with "real" piano's. |
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09/02/2007 09:20:47 PM · #14 |
definitely a Yamaha Clavinova! i bought mine in 1986 and it still sounds beautiful. never any service problems at all. mine is the CVP series so it has more than just the piano sound but the keys feel just like an acoustic piano...weighted and pressure sensitive. the piano sound is wonderful. i worked at a music store for a few years and we sold Clavinovas 3 to 1 over other brands. i highly recommend them.
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09/03/2007 06:04:20 AM · #15 |
| Ahh, Korg; that was the name I was trying to remember. That was an excellent piano :) |
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