Digital piano purchase advice, budget €500: Casio or Yamaha?

You can play classical pieces quite easily on both; the important thing is that a week before exams or concerts, you return to the acoustic one to get your touch back. The pianos are almost equivalent. Perhaps the Casio's action is a little bit nicer. Try them both. In any case, I assure you they are two almost equivalent products.

I am joining this discussion because I am in the same situation!

I have tried the Yamaha DGX650 and the Casio PX350.

With the first one, I liked the sound quality, the large display, and the styles and voices available.

With the second one, however, I really liked the keyboard; it is much more similar to that of a real piano compared to the Yamaha.

Now the dilemma: which one to choose since the price is comparable?

Keep in mind that at the moment I would use it for personal pleasure down in the tavern, but I don't rule out that old passions might be reborn in me!!!

Comments to you!

PS: HAPPY 2016!!!!

Nowadays I would take the Casio

I would have said Yamaha, but actually the feel of the Casio keyboard really makes a difference!

A great dilemma, in any case, thanks for your opinion Simone!

Just imagine!

Pensa that just a few days ago I went to visit a friend of mine who works in a large music store, it's called Play! Music Store. It's around the Boccea area. I tried a new Casio; actually, I was the first one to try it because while I was trying other digital pianos, they were finishing setting up that one and they asked me to try it and tell them what I thought. I was truly enthusiastic about it.

It's called the Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid, and it was designed in collaboration with C. Bechstein.

Well, the keyboard is made of wood, but that's nothing new. The good thing is the action, like that of a grand piano, with a three-lever geometry including the escapement lever and hammer. The escapement is truly indistinguishable from that of an acoustic piano; I couldn't even notice the difference. The sound intensity is captured by sensors that are struck by the hammer. The sound is very, very beautiful and the keyboard was fantastic. It reminded me of the one at Borgato. The downweight is very similar to that of a concert grand piano and becomes slightly heavier on the bass notes. In the middle, I think it should be around 45g, just a guess.

Even the cabinet is very beautiful in black lacquered wood like that of an acoustic piano, and the gold plate with the Bechstein inscription on the front is the finishing touch.

The price is also very reasonable... About 1750 euros. The feel of the keyboard is far superior to Yamaha's digital uprights. I was truly amazed. Perhaps it will be my next purchase.

Casio has truly made giant leaps in the world of digital pianos.

Open content (youtube)

Yes, I had seen that video.

I will go back to the shop to try them out and then I will keep you updated on the final decision.

Bye and thanks again!

Interesting....I tried to read something, but what is the difference between the two models (gp300 and gp500)? On the web the price is about 1000 euros higher, perhaps you saw an offer?

I also read that great subsequent evolutions are expected thanks to the introduction of this model...and some are waiting for developments...maybe in a year's time the price will be lower?

I made a mistake, I wrote 1750 instead of 2750, I am correcting the post. Thank you.

The difference between the two is that the GP-500 additionally has the possibility to act on hammer tuning and environmental characteristics. It also has more sounds.

Furthermore, it allows for recalling the characteristics of period instruments.

No, thank you simone!

This digital is very "fascinating"....right now I certainly couldn't afford it but I will definitely go try it! Then who knows. ...

Think that until a few years ago, when I saw some Casio, I wouldn't even sit down to try it; I would dismiss it saying "Casio is good at making watches," but last year, a friend of mine from a music store said to me: "Simone, would you try this Casio to tell me what you think?" I tried an instrument for €400 and I expected a poorly weighted and very noisy keyboard. When I tried it, my friend asked me: "So? What is the verdict?" The keyboard was less noisy than the Yamahas in the same segment that cost at least 200 euros more, and the keys were well-balanced. In one year, Casio has made giant leaps and has positioned itself at the top in the production of digital pianos with a contained price. I remind you that the Roland V-Piano, which also has wooden keys and hammer action, costs more than €5000; the action is not as refined as the Casio Celviano, and even the wooden structure does not enjoy the same level of finishing. I was decidedly impressed and I remember it has a much lower price than the V-Piano.

Casio certainly deserves to be kept an eye on!

I was wondering if the differences between the two justify those extra thousand euros for the gp500!

But how do you intervene on the tuning... aren't the hammers made of "plastic" material?

Intonation is performed on a physical model. To the touch, nothing changes. It changes the sound that you can "adjust" via the keyboard's software. In essence, it is that software that simulates a softer or harder hammer felt.

Miiiiiiiiiiii. .......Help!....I've been....left slightly behind!...in the times of the club!!

No, don't worry Nancy, it's them who have been moving forward at a rapid pace lately, and at times it's difficult to keep up even for those in the trade. Every day 2 or 3 new things come out on the market in the audio field. You can't keep up with them!

...here I am back! I went to Catania at "Pennisi pf" and I was able to try several "things" since he had different models (I also had fun on the many acoustic grands he now has in the shop... he even has a grand piano!)

I'll start right away by saying that Simone was absolutely right back then when he told me not to bother trying to soundproof the sound with platforms or strange blocks because with a good digital it would be resolved.

I was able to try several, including the Casio Celviano... the Yamaha Clavinova... the Casio AP700... in short, I had fun also because the owner made me feel at ease and I stayed there for quite a while! All of them were beautiful compared to what I expected with my prejudices, but the Casio is on another planet. A beautiful keyboard to touch as well, with excellent response even on repetitions and demanding passages. Well-weighted, as Simone said, almost indistinguishable from an acoustic. The sound, with all its components and resonance effects, is spectacular! In short, I left with my mouth and eyes wide open.... indeed the price is very attractive....

TheSimon wrote:

Just imagine!

Pense that just a few days ago I went to visit a friend of mine who works in a large music store, it's called Play! Music Store. It's around the Boccea area. I tried a new Casio; actually, I was the first to try it because while I was trying other digital pianos, they were finishing setting up that one and they asked me to try it and tell them what I thought. I was truly enthusiastic about it.

It's called the Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid, it was designed in collaboration with C. Bechstein.

Well, the keyboard is wooden, but that's nothing new. The good thing is the action, like that of a grand piano, with a three-lever geometry including the escapement lever and hammer. The escapement is truly indistinguishable from that of an acoustic piano; I couldn't even notice it. The sound intensity is captured by sensors that are struck by the hammer. The sound is very, very beautiful and the keyboard was fantastic. It reminded me of the one at Borgato. The downweight is very similar to that of a concert grand piano and becomes slightly heavier on the bass notes. In the middle, I think it should be around 45g, just a guess.

Even the cabinet is very beautiful in black lacquered wood like that of an acoustic piano, and the gold plate with the Bechstein writing on the front is the touch of class.

The price is also very convenient... About 1750 euros. The keyboard feel is far superior to Yamaha's compact digital pianos. I was truly amazed. Perhaps it will be my next purchase.

Casio has truly made giant leaps in the world of digital pianos.

Hi,

are you absolutely sure that the Casio Celviano Grand Hybrid has an escapement lever?

From YouTube videos, it seems to have a hammer but not the escapement lever.

I'm asking you this because I am looking for an electronic piano that has this component without exceeding 3000 euros.

Thanks,

bye

Open content (youtube)

As far as I know, there are no digital pianos that physically have an escapement lever under 3000 euros. There are key actions, including that of the GP-300, which simulate it very well. You can feel the escapement under your finger. I always recommend trying instruments before buying them. I can tell you that the GP-300 made a great impression on me, but as they say, things are very subjective.

Under 3000 with escapement lever, there are the Kawai CA 67... if I'm not mistaken. But I still prefer the Casio GP 300... the keyboard feels more "solid" under the fingers and even though it doesn't have the lever, its response is so good that you absolutely don't feel the need for it. The advantage of the Kawai is perhaps the very pleasant ivory touch of the key, but in terms of "mechanics" and especially amplification, the Casio performs better. Then, everything comes down to personal taste.

thanks