Thinking of getting a digital piano
-
I agree with Ken. I have used digitals regularly since I bought my first Clavinova in 2005. I do a lot more early morning and late night practice than I would do otherwise. It’s also great for scales or rote passage work that others don’t particularly want to hear. I’d get a nice one.
-
Couple of thoughts.
That Roland that you linked to resembles a Casio that I bought back in 2006. The frame was wobbly, and it never "felt" right. I can't speak to that specific Roland, but it's a consideration.
When you're down in that price range, "feel" becomes less and less piano-like. If you're a serious player, and I think you are, then you'll find instruments in that price range lacking. Also, when down in that price range you're going to get problems with reliability, etc. I pitched my old Kawai because the keys were hitting the keybed and it was noisy as hell. And that's not to mention the fact that the keys started to get sticky.
I've been told that a 10-year lifespan on a digital is a pretty good run, so that's a consideration if you're not looking for durability.
When I was shopping, I looked at the Clavinova series, the Kawai CA and CN series, and the Rolands. There was just "something" about the Clavs that didn't grab me. Nothing specific. I liked the Kawai series, and would have been happy with them. However, the 10-year IN HOME warranty for the Roland is what tipped me.
I assume there's a Guitar Centerr near you, and they have a lot of stuff in stock, so you can compare.
BTW: The Guitar Center price for the Roland I bought is now down to $2900.
Their prices on the Kawai have dropped as well. The CA49 is $1999.
As the saying goes, you'll buy a cheap tool many times, but an expensive one only once.
-
Couple of thoughts.
That Roland that you linked to resembles a Casio that I bought back in 2006. The frame was wobbly, and it never "felt" right. I can't speak to that specific Roland, but it's a consideration.
When you're down in that price range, "feel" becomes less and less piano-like. If you're a serious player, and I think you are, then you'll find instruments in that price range lacking. Also, when down in that price range you're going to get problems with reliability, etc. I pitched my old Kawai because the keys were hitting the keybed and it was noisy as hell. And that's not to mention the fact that the keys started to get sticky.
I've been told that a 10-year lifespan on a digital is a pretty good run, so that's a consideration if you're not looking for durability.
When I was shopping, I looked at the Clavinova series, the Kawai CA and CN series, and the Rolands. There was just "something" about the Clavs that didn't grab me. Nothing specific. I liked the Kawai series, and would have been happy with them. However, the 10-year IN HOME warranty for the Roland is what tipped me.
I assume there's a Guitar Centerr near you, and they have a lot of stuff in stock, so you can compare.
BTW: The Guitar Center price for the Roland I bought is now down to $2900.
Their prices on the Kawai have dropped as well. The CA49 is $1999.
As the saying goes, you'll buy a cheap tool many times, but an expensive one only once.
@George-K said in Thinking of getting a digital piano:
Couple of thoughts.
That Roland that you linked to resembles a Casio that I bought back in 2006. The frame was wobbly, and it never "felt" right. I can't speak to that specific Roland, but it's a consideration.
Yep. That was me with a Yamaha P120 back in 2002.
Only non-witches get due process.
- Cotton Mather, Salem Massachusetts, 1692
-
George reminds of me of my digital piano sojourn. I had never had a digital piano and have a grand in the living room. I liked the idea of something I could play at night and so bought the proverbial $1000 digital as a "proof of concept" sort of thing. It didn't take long for me to determine that I liked the ability to play without anyone else being involved in listening - BUT I also wasn't terribly impressed with the piano. Consequently, I then went in search of a decent instrument. You can certainly follow that path, but given your level and my experience, I'd say buy the piano that appeals to you and skip the step of trying out the concept. It saves time and money - and most importantly, will bring you more pleasure with less hassle (i.e. it's not fun having 3 pianos in one's living room.).
-
It makes sense for me not to spend much money on this digital, and the Roland allegedly has a pretty good action. I guess that's all I really care about. The cabinet style stand should make it stable enough. When I lived in an apartment, I did all my practicing on a Yamaha P-80, so this'll be a step up from that. I'm mostly just concerned about huge red flags that might make me want to stay away from this. There's a retailer in Houston, maybe I'll stop by.
-
@jon-nyc said in Thinking of getting a digital piano:
Sell covered calls on your AAPL and get the nice one.
It's more a matter of principle and precedent. Rhetorical arguments about whether to spend amounts that matter, become more difficult to have, if certain principles haven't been followed on the smaller things.
-
These guys (admittedly, they're salesman) go into some good depth on digitals.
https://azpianonews.blogspot.com
Here's what they say about the FP30X
https://azpianonews.blogspot.com/2021/04/roland-fp30x-review-digital-piano.html
"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08
The saying, "Lite is just one damn thing after another," is a gross understatement. The damn things overlap.
-
@George-K said in Thinking of getting a digital piano:
Couple of thoughts.
That Roland that you linked to resembles a Casio that I bought back in 2006. The frame was wobbly, and it never "felt" right. I can't speak to that specific Roland, but it's a consideration.
Yep. That was me with a Yamaha P120 back in 2002.
-
These guys (admittedly, they're salesman) go into some good depth on digitals.
https://azpianonews.blogspot.com
Here's what they say about the FP30X
https://azpianonews.blogspot.com/2021/04/roland-fp30x-review-digital-piano.html
@George-K said in Thinking of getting a digital piano:
These guys (admittedly, they're salesman) go into some good depth on digitals.
https://azpianonews.blogspot.com
Here's what they say about the FP30X
https://azpianonews.blogspot.com/2021/04/roland-fp30x-review-digital-piano.html
Thanks George. Those drawbacks are meaningless to me.
I guess I should go to the store to try them out, because the shape and feel of the keyboard, especially space between black keys, is different piano to piano, and could be a deal breaker.
-
But a used Clavinova or Roland HP over an FP30.
Number 1 issue with inexpensive digitals is stand instability. When you are hitting the keys of the instrument to play mf (that’s mezzo forte), you are hitting with more force than you think, and that motion is not a straight 90 degrees. There is a fair amount of side to side. After a few months of playing, those FP30 stands will give you a lot of sway. When that starts happening, you get tension and instability in other parts of even the electronic components. Get something that has a full panel and feet that extend out a bit. Preferably, something that also has front legs coming down from keybed to the feet for even more solid construction.
$700 is too much money to spend on something you won’t like.
The Brad
-
https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1392063511653093/?ref=search
Message them and tell them you can buy a CLP735 new for $2399 and offer them $1,000
The Brad
-
But a used Clavinova or Roland HP over an FP30.
Number 1 issue with inexpensive digitals is stand instability. When you are hitting the keys of the instrument to play mf (that’s mezzo forte), you are hitting with more force than you think, and that motion is not a straight 90 degrees. There is a fair amount of side to side. After a few months of playing, those FP30 stands will give you a lot of sway. When that starts happening, you get tension and instability in other parts of even the electronic components. Get something that has a full panel and feet that extend out a bit. Preferably, something that also has front legs coming down from keybed to the feet for even more solid construction.
$700 is too much money to spend on something you won’t like.
@LuFins-Dad said in Thinking of getting a digital piano:
But a used Clavinova or Roland HP over an FP30.
Number 1 issue with inexpensive digitals is stand instability. When you are hitting the keys of the instrument to play mf (that’s mezzo forte), you are hitting with more force than you think, and that motion is not a straight 90 degrees. There is a fair amount of side to side. After a few months of playing, those FP30 stands will give you a lot of sway. When that starts happening, you get tension and instability in other parts of even the electronic components. Get something that has a full panel and feet that extend out a bit. Preferably, something that also has front legs coming down from keybed to the feet for even more solid construction.
$700 is too much money to spend on something you won’t like.
Thanks LD. I had that issue with my yamaha p-80, but after I got the cabinet style stand, it was fine. I think the stand in the link should be ok.
A close by guitar center sells these Rolands, which are actually too cheap for the acoustic shop that carries Rolands. They only carry the more expensive models. Good thing for me, 30 minutes less driving.
-
https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1392063511653093/?ref=search
Message them and tell them you can buy a CLP735 new for $2399 and offer them $1,000
@LuFins-Dad said in Thinking of getting a digital piano:
https://m.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1392063511653093/?ref=search
Message them and tell them you can buy a CLP735 new for $2399 and offer them $1,000
That's a good idea. I should watch the used market. I'm in no hurry.
-
I do wonder if the wars between manufacturers are as intense as they appeared to be years ago. I am also trying to convince myself to buy a digital, as I've migrated away from my grand to my Arturia MKII which was for DAW, but now I use it daily for piano.
Unlike some, I hate going to any piano store to play the various instruments. Guitar World? I may be too much of a snob (tongue in cheek). Anyway, don't want to hijack this thread, but I do encourage the conversation. There may be a lot of people that drop in for the hands-on advice this forum provides.
