choosing a digital piano.

The Kawai MP10 is the one that I, personally, like most of all in that budget, though that is certainly debatable. In any case, digital pianos must be tried out. What I like might not please others. It depends on the touch...

Hi gigo

I fully subscribe to Simone's advice.

Adding my contribution....

11 years ago, when I also switched to digital for the same reasons, I tried several manufacturers (Kawai, Roland, Korg, Yamaha, Casio).

The Kawai (CA1200) that I chose immediately seemed leagues ahead of all the others in the aspects that interested me most: sampling and keyboard feel.

At the time, the CA1200 was Kawai's top model. But in the immediately "inferior" models, what diminished was the amplification, the cabinet finish... in short: to lose out even on things that really matter, you had to drop much lower in the model rankings (amplification is an important thing, but we are talking about an instrument that will often be played with headphones).

Don't worry too much about repairs.

Personally, I don't find that a digital piano (any brand or model) is a 'niche product'. But even if it were.

1) If it should have electronic problems, the nearest authorized center will handle it (I have never had one).

Funny note: for me living near Milan, the closest service center among those listed on the assistance sheet of my piano (a 2400 Euro object in 2003) is the same one listed on the assistance sheet of the Casio keyboard (three octaves, small keys, price 52 Euro) that I had given to my daughter.

2) If it should have mechanical problems (after three years, one key returned a bit slowly for me), any good technician expert in acoustic pianos will easily be able to handle it.

Watch out for one thing! (which is often overlooked) >>> The noise of the keyboard

When I had to choose mine, I didn't pay attention to it, but by trying to "play" on a piano that is turned off and without headphones, you realize what those who live with us hear in terms of the drumming of the keys hitting the bottom of the keyboard and returning to position.... fortunately, things went well for me: after the purchase, when I happened to test some digitals in some piano showrooms (even without turning them on), I noticed they were much noisier than mine.

Obviously, this point doesn't matter regarding disturbance to neighbors: only sounds pass through the walls between one real estate unit and another; noises this slight do not.

That being said...
if I found a digital piano that satisfies me in the things that matter most... I wouldn't reject it just because of the noise of the keyboard.

(I hope my family members never read this post )

Good choice!

and... a very, very warm greeting to your Pfeiffer

TheSimon wrote:

In any case, digital pianos must be tested. What I like might not please others.

I would extend the concept by saying that, in general, all instruments should be tested

a question: after reflecting for a long time on the purchase of a Kawai MP10, I had finally decided, but in the meantime it disappeared, and the MP11 appeared (then it reappeared somewhere, but at this point I prefer the MP11). At the beginning of September I am going to try it; the tuner, who came to tune my upright piano, which anyway needs a good recording, pointed out to me that he installs silent systems that work very well. So the question is: is it better that I buy this blessed Kawai (certainly not to advertise, but from Scavino where it costs less) or should I have a silent system installed on my upright? I haven't heard very good things about the mounted silents.

I wanted to know: is it better to have a digital piano or a silent system installed on an upright?

Ta taaaaa... A million dollar question!

There are several aspects to consider. I would prefer to be able to use a silent system, but from the rumors circulating, it seems that installing a Silent system compromises the piano's mechanics to the point of becoming very heavy under the fingers.

Personally, I am of the opinion that acoustic instruments should remain as such. Digital ones exist specifically for that purpose, but that is obviously just my opinion.

Not by chance could I have installed the Silent system on my piano, counting on a contribution from Pianoexpert, but I preferred to leave my acoustic piano intact by opting for a digital keyboard. Moreover, according to my experience, studying on a digital piano is something that allows us to be cleaner when we return to practicing on an acoustic piano. On a digital piano, all the problems in difficult technical passages come out, something that on an acoustic piano is sometimes skillfully camouflaged by environmental reverb or, in the case of an environment that is too dry, by excessive use of the sustain pedal.

Nowadays we can rely on exceptional digital instruments. I haven't had the chance to try the MP11 yet, and I promise myself to do so as soon as I have time to go to my trusted musical instrument supplier; in any case, I remember an excellent experience already with the previous series. Excellent simulation of acoustic grand piano mechanics, a nice key feeling under the finger with good grip that helps against slipping during lateral leaps. The sample quality also seemed truly excellent to me, with many customization possibilities. In short, I believe that the Silent system, given the associated problems, was an excellent alternative to digital until eight or nine years ago, which is when we didn't yet have the luck of being able to rely on today's digital technology.

If research in the field of Silent systems makes progress by eliminating the problems caused to the mechanics, I will have no doubts about the choice. For the moment, I stand by my convictions.

I hope my input has been useful to you.

Yes, OK, you have been perfectly helpful. Also, regarding the acoustic verticality, sometimes one slips at speed; it's like skating on ice. I will see the differences between MP 11 and MP10, the mechanics, and I will make a quick decision. Thanks. Besides, the Pfeiffer is an endangered species that must be protected.