My next piano??

[kluurs]

I'm thinking of supplementing my piano collection with the addition of either a hybrid(ish) or full digital piano.

I can get an extremely good deal on a Casio Celviano GP500, but I've also been told that I should also look at the better Yamaha CLPs - like the 745 or 775. Then, there's what the pro's use such as the N1X or N2 Yamaha.

Next week, the adventure commences. The Celviano 510 would be less than half the price of the N1X - and supposedly has a very decent action. The N1X takes up a bit more space and has an appearance that I'm not wild about. Alternatively, I can have a Celviano AP470 for about 40% off list.

And yes, I do suck as a performer - but I do like the idea of playing through headphones which is why this is all being considered. I actually like having more than one instrument in the house as it seems to challenge my technique to adapt a bit. I prefer the notion of something that feels like a grand piano which is why I have a Steinway B across the room from the proposed digital.

I'll likely supplement the piano with Pianoteq software to play on historical and diverse modern grands. I'm not interested in all the funny things that digitals can do - play guitar solos, etc.

Follow as the adventure begins.

[89th]

I had this thread recently that may be of help: https://nodebb.the-new-coffee-room.club/topic/18815/hey-ld-silent-pianos

Personally, I think we may go with the Yamaha U1 SH2 next year. But would want to try it out in person first, of course.

[kluurs]

Thanks, 89. I had one of the original Yamaha Silent Pianos that I bought back around 1994 or so. It was a very nice piano. The only two issues I had with were very minor. I wasn't wild about the gloss case and a little bit of action noise that bugged me a smidge. Still, I'd have given it a 9.5 on a 10-point scale of satisfaction. I sold it to a good friend who is using it till this day. My reason for purchasing it was that the digital piano actions of that era weren't quite to the standard of those made today.

[George K]

@kluurs said in My next piano??:

I can have a Celviano AP470

I purchased a Kawai CE200 about 15 years ago. I paid about $1800, iirc.

It's worn out. Keys are sticking, the keybed needs work (very noisy action) and lots of "squeaky" noises. I'm ready to pitch it - certainly can't sell it, other than for parts.

The Celviano AP470 is in a similar price range, and I'd be concerned about wearing it out if you're at all serious (and I know you are).

Have you looked at/considered Rolands?

[LuFins Dad]

Personally, I like the Roland PHA50 and PHA100 action better than any other digital excepting the N1X.

The sound on the Roland can be a little meh, but if you are using Pianotej then it’s not an issue…

[Jolly]

Don't like Roland sound. Yamaha better sounding.

[LuFins Dad]

@Jolly said in My next piano??:

Don't like Roland sound. Yamaha better sounding.

Yes, you have to edit the Roland sound. The good news? They have the most variable sound. The bad news? You’ll likely need to.

Here’s the thing… Yamaha? They are unabashedly a Yamaha. They have a great concert grand piano, and that’s the instrument they sample. Roland no longer samples, they use modeling. But when they did sample, they sampled three prominent pianos and blended them. Personally? I think it was a rather bland sound, but if you find the right edits…

But if you’re looking for the best touch, Roland is by far the closest.

[kluurs]

I haven't looked at Roland in quite a while. I guess I should. I know a couple of friends who ended up with the CLP745 so I kinda want to try that. Stephen Hough talked about using an N2 or N1H - I can't recall which.

[LuFins Dad]

@kluurs I just sold a used N2… That is still my favorite of the Avants. I hope they bring it back as an N2X.

[kluurs]

There was a woman in the area selling a one year old barely used N1H for $7,500 about 6 months ago. I'm kicking myself for not going to look at it. It was on the market for a bit - so she may have ended up selling it for less.

[kluurs]

@LuFins-Dad said in My next piano??:

@kluurs I just sold a used N2… That is still my favorite of the Avants. I hope they bring it back as an N2X.

I agree - but every time I bring the N2 up, I'm told that it will eventually be phased out.

[George K]

@kluurs where are you shopping/looking?

I might be in the market after the holidays for something basic, and reliable...

...if I can convince Mrs. George, that is.

[LuFins Dad]

Also, try the HP704 or the LX708. The LX705 and LX706 are good, but I prefer the speaker layout of the HP704. Plus, be prepared to edit the sound… Put the touch on 85, the brilliance on +3, and have them put it on Soundboard 2 to start. Then edit as needed. The settings will save once you turn it off.

[taiwan_girl]

I have a Roland HP505. Never have any problems with it. It is good for me, but I am a very very average player.

[George K]

I dunno, this outfit seems just a bit on the shady side.

Thoughts?

[LuFins Dad]

@George-K said in My next piano??:

I dunno, this outfit seems just a bit on the shady side.

Thoughts?

I don’t really think shady, just riding the line of trying to appear to be an independent 3rd party while actually selling pianos…

[kluurs]

@George-K said in My next piano??:

@kluurs where are you shopping/looking?

First stop is Pianoforte Chicago. I used to have a friend who worked there so I may have an in. They have an N1X in stock. None of the other folks currently have one available. I believe the Roland dealer is in Geneva. That's a bit of a hike, but they're a good dealer. The Casio GP510 is in Aurora. I hope to do some serious looking next week.

[George K]

Hay, @jon-nyc ! Which Clav do you have?

Are you happy with it?

What influenced your choice of this particular model?

[jon-nyc]

I have the CLP-645. I think there was a higher end model at the time but I preferred the 645 when I tried it.

Space didn’t allow the avant- grand and I didn’t want the one with the real upright action. I thought a simulated grand action would be better for me than a real upright action.

Oh, and mine has a Yamaha sampled voice and a Bosendorfer sampled voice.

I love it and still play it every day. Rich G gave me a deal on it too.

[George K]

Thanks.

It looks like the 645 is no longer in the lineup, having been replaced by the 745.

As I've mentioned, my Kawai has become unplayable and I'm looking for a moderately priced replacement.

Being retired, budget is a consideration, of course.

Looking at the Yamaha CLP 725, 735 series. Also considering the YDP series, but at the higher end. Roland is another consideration.

I suppose I should give the Kawais another look. I've read that the Korg GA1 Air is really good in terms of action as well, as is the Casio.

I wish there were a way to easily compare.