My next piano??
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I was just thinking some similar things last night though I play about 98% using headphones. I find working on problem spots a lot easier knowing I'm not making my housemate insane hearing the same few measures a dozen (or more) times. The action on the real piano requires some modification of my technique, demonstrating to me that my efforts to rise from a poor piano player to a mediocre one remain but a dream. Still, some kindly inclined folks might feel I've safely moved up from being a godawful piano player. I suspect this as no one recently has asked me why I haven't considered giving it up altogether.
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So...an update.
I love the Roland. I don't make much use of any of the features it has built-in except the "volume" control. I would say that I use it with headphones about 50% of the time, and the volume turned down the rest of the time.
Playing it using Mrs. George's 2012 MacBook Air running Pianoteq. Most of the time, I use the Hamburg Steinway D plug-in, and on occasion I switch the the Steingraeber, just for yuks. It's interesting how you "get used" to a sound and when you switch it, the difference is jarring. Not bad, by any means - it's just as good - but "different."
In terms of use, I'd say I play it about 80% of the time and it's great for learning something (currently 1st movement of Pathetique is about 90% there, "Italian Concerto" about 70%).
But, make no mistake, it's not a real piano. When I play my grand, I have to adjust the way I play, because it seems less forgiving - that's not a bad thing, I just have to pay more attention to what I'm doing. As @kluurs has said, if you want the feel of a "real piano," you're going to have to spend a LOT more money - and perhaps sacrifice your sense of aesthetic.
I love the thing, and I have zero regrets purchasing it.
Oh, the Kawai? It went to the recycling center...
@George-K said in My next piano??:
70%).
But, make no mistake, it's not a real piano. When I play my grand, I have to adjust the way I play, because it seems less forgiving - that's not a bad thing, I just have to pay more attention to what I'm doing. As @kluurs has said, if you want the feel of a "real piano," you're going to have to spend a LOT more money - and perhaps sacrifice your sense of aesthetic.
Please pick out the real pianos in these pictures
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So...an update.
I love the Roland. I don't make much use of any of the features it has built-in except the "volume" control. I would say that I use it with headphones about 50% of the time, and the volume turned down the rest of the time.
Playing it using Mrs. George's 2012 MacBook Air running Pianoteq. Most of the time, I use the Hamburg Steinway D plug-in, and on occasion I switch the the Steingraeber, just for yuks. It's interesting how you "get used" to a sound and when you switch it, the difference is jarring. Not bad, by any means - it's just as good - but "different."
In terms of use, I'd say I play it about 80% of the time and it's great for learning something (currently 1st movement of Pathetique is about 90% there, "Italian Concerto" about 70%).
But, make no mistake, it's not a real piano. When I play my grand, I have to adjust the way I play, because it seems less forgiving - that's not a bad thing, I just have to pay more attention to what I'm doing. As @kluurs has said, if you want the feel of a "real piano," you're going to have to spend a LOT more money - and perhaps sacrifice your sense of aesthetic.
I love the thing, and I have zero regrets purchasing it.
Oh, the Kawai? It went to the recycling center...
I love the Roland. I don't make much use of any of the features it has built-in except the "volume" control.
I hauled my 20 year old Roland RD-700 stage piano out of basement storage two weeks ago. I packed it away three years ago so that a 13 year old with zero interest in learning how to play an instrument properly couldn’t FUBAR it.
Like you, I don’t use the bells and whistles it has other than volume, a couple of piano settings and the harpsichords now and then when I play a Henry Purcell tune.
I have searched the manual but do not see a una corda effect or una corda input for a pedal. I think I’ll ring the dealer here and find if there is a way to obtain a soft pedal effect.
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Pianoteq for iOS is out. You can use your existing license to activate it.
Not sure if it'll gain much use in my house. Mrs. George's old MacBook Air is sitting on my Roland, and that's the only thing that laptop is used for.
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Resurrecting this thread.
Casually shopping for a digital piano.
Don't need or want a cabinet. Stage/Slab is fine and I found a Yamaha I think I can live with. P-515 or P525. They both have an optional very sturdy stand and three pedal option.
Action feels good and the entire unit feels sturdy and well built.
I can get a demo B-stock 515 for $1,399 and the 525 for $1,499. Plus $349 for the upgraded stand and pedals. So $1750/$1850 plus IL sales tax.
I currently have a CVP-105 that still works but I do not like the action. Was offered $100 trade lol. I can actually live with that as I do not want to reassemble it or invite strangers into my home just to get a couple hundred more for it.
What say all you experts here?
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Paraphrasing Duke Ellington: "If it feels good, it IS good."
If you like the action, that's the first step. Ignore the sound, you can always update with a cheapo laptop, PianoTeq and some speakers.
The Roland HP704 is down to $2900 at GuitarCenter. If you're happy with the lack of a cabinet, you can get the same mechanism and add a stand for a bit less.
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I did a lot of auditioning - but all of it was on cabinet focused instruments - ended up with the HP704 - which I've now had for about 18 months. I went cheaper prior with a high end Casio - but the action wasn't suitable. The 10 year warranty was a big plus for the Roland. George and I are fussy consumers, but LD is the expert.
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I won't go back from my PianoTeq Petrof Mistral. I guess, from there it's a matter of finding an action you like. I have a low end but good one with my Roland FP-10.
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@George-K said in My next piano??:
@Horace said in My next piano??:
Roland FP-10
Is that the same action as the 704?
No, the FP-10 has Roland's entry level PHA-4 action, and the 704 has the PHA-50. I guess there's a "pivot length" difference, maybe among other things. My action clicks a lot, which is the main drawback to me. But I haven't had experience with their better actions, and may not know what I'm missing. I think practice on a PHA-4 transfers adequately to any piano, that's the important thing.
Education is extremely important.
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@George-K said in My next piano??:
@Horace said in My next piano??:
Roland FP-10
Is that the same action as the 704?
No, the FP-10 has Roland's entry level PHA-4 action, and the 704 has the PHA-50. I guess there's a "pivot length" difference, maybe among other things. My action clicks a lot, which is the main drawback to me. But I haven't had experience with their better actions, and may not know what I'm missing. I think practice on a PHA-4 transfers adequately to any piano, that's the important thing.
@Horace said in My next piano??:
I think practice on a PHA-4 transfers adequately to any piano, that's the important thing.
Right - if you're not offended, it'll be "good enough."
Also, if you have a "real" piano...well, that's sort of the point. @mark has a very nice Estonia (which I've touched), so your point is well-taken.
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@George-K said in My next piano??:
@Horace said in My next piano??:
Roland FP-10
Is that the same action as the 704?
No, the FP-10 has Roland's entry level PHA-4 action, and the 704 has the PHA-50. I guess there's a "pivot length" difference, maybe among other things. My action clicks a lot, which is the main drawback to me. But I haven't had experience with their better actions, and may not know what I'm missing. I think practice on a PHA-4 transfers adequately to any piano, that's the important thing.
@Horace said in My next piano??:
@George-K said in My next piano??:
@Horace said in My next piano??:
Roland FP-10
Is that the same action as the 704?
No, the FP-10 has Roland's entry level PHA-4 action, and the 704 has the PHA-50. I guess there's a "pivot length" difference, maybe among other things. My action clicks a lot, which is the main drawback to me. But I haven't had experience with their better actions, and may not know what I'm missing. I think practice on a PHA-4 transfers adequately to any piano, that's the important thing.
PHA4 is good enough. You still need an acoustic.
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EBay, good prices on New and Open Box
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=fp-10&_sacat=0&rt=nc&LH_ItemCondition=3
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