Advice on purchasing a digital piano

I'll try to answer you while waiting for advice from more experts. But allow me a premise that many might not agree with.

The feeling one has towards the keyboard is very subjective and the various models must be tested. For your goals, it is superfluous to reiterate that you should get as close as possible to the characteristics of an acoustic instrument, especially regarding sound quality and mechanics... the key response to various techniques and its ability to react faithfully to your dynamic and interpretative intentions. Can't you get help in choosing an acoustic?

My personal opinion is that, especially at the beginning when one still needs to undergo musical training, it is even more important than later to have a certain type of instrument under your fingers. For example, I do not agree with the attitude of many who start and think it's not worth spending until a certain level is reached. But how can someone reach a certain level without a decent piano under their hands? Therefore, I would answer that if you are unable to get help in choosing a good acoustic, I would invest as best as possible in a mid-to-high-end digital... assuming you can clearly do so.

I take the liberty of making this premise because I understand that you have set a "relative" budget and not an absolute one... right?

Among those you mentioned, I like the Kawai CN35 more than the Clavinova, which I find more "keyboard-like" and less piano-like.... but you must still try them to see how you feel with them..

As the price rises, you really feel the jump in quality. At that point, also consider the Casio Celviano, which in my opinion are extremely high-performing.

Hi Fulvio, I agree with Nancy regarding the choice of your first piano; however, besides the economic factor, you also need to consider where you live (apartment building? detached house?) so as not to compromise good relations with your neighbors.

I could suggest renting a good Yamaha or Kawai upright for a modest monthly fee of €40/50, which you could one day return or redeem to upgrade to something superior.

It is true that acoustic uprights are not equipped with double escapement, but for someone starting out like you, intending to play as a hobby, it is absolutely not a problem.

Connecting back to digitals, I also agree with Nancy here.

If you want something decent that gets as close as possible to a nice upright (but with grand piano samplings), you need to raise your budget to around 4000 (e.g., Celviano, Yamaha 585).

Personally, I own a 535 that I bought a few months ago to get my hands moving again after years of having abandoned it (I am a conservatory graduate), but I am about to put it up for sale because it has been replaced by a Yamaha AvantGrand N3X. In practice, it is a magnificent digital grand with the action of a C3 188.......and for the same amount, I could have bought a good used baby grand, but due to environmental and climatic location reasons, I would also have had to call a tuner every other day :)

I hope I have provided you with some further clarification.

Thanks to nancy and marcy63 for their input.

I have no doubt that the feeling with the instrument is entirely subjective. And that the best way would be to try them out.

But in my case, the problem is twofold:

First of all, I am still at the "fingering" stage, doing basic exercises on weight transfer. So I would have very little to test!

Secondly, in my city, the instrument selection is really scarce. I have seen some Yamaha Arius models, a Clavinova CLP-545, and then directly to acoustics: Kawai K3, Yamaha B3 Silent, and some grand pianos.

And yet, I need a piano (I need an instrument that can be used with headphones).

That is why I had the idea of asking for advice.

The rental idea is interesting; I will have to look into it. But "purchasing" an acoustic currently falls outside my intentions and possibilities.

As an alternative, I find the advice to consider a mid-to-high-end digital instrument appropriate since, as you suggest, the difference would be noticeable.

My budget can be adjusted, but not substantially.

Let's say I could do something "crazy" for this CASIO CELVIANO Grand Hybrid GP 300:

https://www.casio-europe.com/it/prodotti/strumenti-musicali/celviano-grand-hybrid/gp-300/

http://www.grand-hybrid.com/it/

I read that it has a "Natural Grand Hammer Action" keyboard with wooden keys: I imagine this guarantees a perception similar to that of an acoustic piano. Am I wrong?

As alternatives, the previously mentioned ROLAND HP 508:

https://www.roland.it/products/hp508/specifications/

Or the CLAVINOVA CLP 575:

http://it.yamaha.com/it/products/musical-instruments/keyboards/digitalpianos/clavinova_series/clp-575/?mode=model

Also with wooden keys.

With the Roland, I would save a little bit, but if it's worth it, I would take the leap in quality.

Which of these three instruments would you recommend to me (or some other model that strictly does not exceed €3000)?

Thanks again.

This Kawai CA 67 also seems interesting to me:

http://www.kawai.co.uk/ca67.htm

it seems to have a nice keyboard and I would save a little something. Yes, I like it very much!

In short, there is no lack of offers!

So... I have the Casio GP 300 ❤❤❤❤❤❤ in my opinion, it has excellent value for money. It is giving me enormous satisfaction.

The Kawai Pure is definitely beautiful, but two things make it a tad inferior...

1) the sound quality in terms of diffusion is a little less realistic

2) the key feels like it's made of a lighter wood. Careful, I'm not talking about the downweight and return weight, but specifically the material it's made of.

The advantage compared to the Casio is that the ivory and ebony touch sensation is nice.... the key is pleasantly slightly rough.

Both are excellent instruments.... in any case, you couldn't go wrong... but in my opinion, given the difference in cost between the two (it seems to me 300 euros) and the fact that for you it would be THE instrument (the only one for now), not a backup, I would undoubtedly bet on the Casio. These are my considerations.

The others you mentioned seem less suitable for your situation... and if you can make an effort....

I really thank you for the suggestions. I had read a review that was nothing short of disastrous about this Casio and I am relieved since you own it and are enthusiastic about it.

Now I'm summing things up and deciding between these two models (CASIO GP 300 and KAWAI CA 67).

Since you are so kind and helpful, I will take the opportunity to ask you two other things:

1. Do these "keyboards" have to be assembled by the buyer? And in your opinion, is it advisable to purchase online?

2. Could you kindly tell me where I might find the sheet music for this piece (from 00:40)?:

Thanks again!

Open content (youtube)

To avoid having to repack everything and deal with shipping in the unfortunate event of a defect, I bought it in a physical store and it had already been assembled by the owner the day before... by dividing it into two or three pieces, it fit in the Zafira. But there are reliable sites where I have made other large purchases anyway. Anyway, there is a video on YouTube where they show how to assemble it

Look if this is it. I didn't have time to check.

Http://sheetmusicdownload.wordpress.com

Thanks again Nancy.

In the end I have decided: I am taking the KAWAI CA 97.

Unfortunately, the "few" shops in my city cannot get it for me, and I must purchase online.

I would appreciate some tips regarding serious and reliable sellers to contact.

I have spotted a good price at SPEVI - PIANOFORTI (Rome):

http://www.spevi-pianoforti.com/

Has anyone purchased from them?

Thanks again.

Are you talking about the CA67 or the CA97? In any case, congratulations because you will have an excellent digital piano to study on! I have never ordered from Spevi. For the most part, I have ordered from the German one (I don't know if I can name names specifically) that everyone knows, and I had a very good experience. Generally, they have competitive prices. In this case, however, it seems to me that the CA67 costs less from Spevi... and it is a great price!

Of course you can mention names... It's a discussion; if the sources remain intended for discussion, what's the problem?

Topics opened solely for the purpose of advertising are classified as SPAM. Here we are talking about advice for purchasing a digital piano; everyone has had their own experience and will have bought from someone. If I bought the piano from the company Pinco Pallino and I was happy with it, why not say so? It's freedom of expression. Go ahead, Nancy.

Ah good! Thanks Simone. I was referring to thomann.de. It is very well stocked and reliable with shipping and organized in customer support. But I repeat, at this moment Spevi would seem more convenient.

Hi Nancy. I specifically meant the CA 97. At this point, I think I'll get it from Spevi (I'll save a bit compared to the German seller that you so kindly - as always - pointed out to me).

When it arrives, maybe I'll post a photo. To see it properly in action, we'll have to wait a little while!

I am happy to have been of help to you

I beg your pardon... I contacted the seller and he planted a seed of doubt regarding the Roland Lx 7 (which I wasn't aware of). It seems to me it has a nice design. He says that in comparison with the CA 97, they are two instruments that are equivalent in terms of sound and keyboard (which is a priority factor for me). Therefore, I would still be fine with it.

What do you think? In your opinion, is there any reason to prefer one over the other?

I have never touched the Roland Lx7 so I cannot tell you. Let's see if anyone else knows it.....

No, nor have I ever tried it. I wouldn't know how to tell you. If you try it, let us know.

There are several YouTube videos of the Roland Lx7 which was released in 2016. It's not bad, although perhaps I am biased because I have always considered Yamaha to be the best of all. Personally, in that price range, I would purchase the CLP 575.

But, I repeat, it is very subjective.

Hi Marcy and thank you for your input.

I had the chance to try the CPL 575 (in truth, in my current condition I pounded the keys a bit, simulating the fingering exercises I am doing) and the keyboard did not excite me much. In fact, not at all. You can see that the keys are wood-covered (the blacks are plastic), but I didn't have a pleasant sensation.

I expect much better from this Kawai CA 97. At least I hope so!

Good afternoon everyone,

I am new to the forum and looking through the threads around, I haven't found one particularly suited to my needs. I am not a professional pianist, having studied the instrument in a conservatory only as a complementary subject. I moved and decided to leave my old Petrof upright at my parents' house until they want to "use" it as a piece of furniture!

I have therefore decided to purchase a digital one with medium-high characteristics which I list below:

Keyboard that reproduces the characteristics of an acoustic piano
Sound that responds to reality
Discrete aesthetic features, since I will place it in the living room and it will ALSO be a piece of furniture (so I would consider a baby grand or an upright that reproduces a real one, even if of smaller dimensions obviously)
Functions that allow me to record (and easily transfer files to PC) both the sound of the piano and other instrumentalists and/or live singers to produce tracks to send for various auditions
Budget around €2000/2500 (anyway not exceeding €2800)

...maybe I'm asking too much?! Sorry.

A dealer friend brought to my attention a brand little mentioned in the forum: Orla. Here is the link

http://www.orla.it/ita/products.php?id=7C2B99C43FB56C478B56C9B7B0B196BC

What do you think? What do you recommend?

Thank you very much!