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TOPIC: Recommendations on a portable digital piano?

Recommendations on a portable digital piano? 14 years 6 months ago #1

I'm thinking of buy a portable digital piano for my wife for her birthday next month and was wondering if anyone here had any recommendations.  I'm a musical noob but she played piano for 15 years and is now thinking about taking it up again.  I'd like it to be a full 88 key keyboard as she grew up with a grand piano in her house.<br /><br />I'm looking at this model right now:<br /><br /> www.guitarcenter.com/Casio-CDP-100-88-Note-Weighted-Hammer-Action-Digital-Piano-103871034-i1168551.gc <br /><br />Seems nice and right in my price range.  Any thoughts from the musicians in the house?<br /><br />- Doug

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Re: Recommendations on a portable digital piano? 14 years 6 months ago #2

While Casio is not considered to be a leader in the keyboard field, they have always been a solid maker (my first ever electronic keyboard was a Casio and it still works).  One thing to keep in mind is that a portable digital piano does not come with very good speakers.  To sound good, you almost need to listen through headphones or pump through a sound system.  The included speakers do not do the digital samples justice.  This is true even on some of the top line models (in the portable category - some of the ones made to look like baby grands can sound *quite* nice).  From the reviews I was able to find on this model, the touch sensitive (Weighted hammer feel) is considered one of its strong points.  It is also nice that it offers MIDI, in case you ever want to record something to the computer and a sustain pedal (since a piano always benefits from some pedal action).  If you wish to stay at $399 or below, this is probably a solid choice.  If your bandwidth extends beyond that, Yamaha is another brand worth a look.  If you have another piano player local that could go with you to GC and compare, that would help a lot in making sure you are making the right choice.<br /><br />If I happen to be near a GC in the near future (none are real close to home), I'll try to take a look and give you my feedback.<br /><br />P.S.  If she's like me, she'll probably be like  "oooo" at being able to play strings, harpsichord, electric piano and even combos of them.

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Re: Recommendations on a portable digital piano? 14 years 6 months ago #3

Doug,<br /><br />I'm no expert but did major in music.  Everything Amorgen Burke says is correct.  But I'd have say if she played a grand piano this keyboard may be a disappointment to her.  There is something to be said about the feel of a paino - the resonace particually of a real piano - no digital can duplicate.  Do you have space problems?  If that's so, get her a spinnet piano.  This is a type of piano, not a brand name.  If you remember the up-right pianos, this is a short version of it.  There are some spinnets that are pretty good in sound - and she will have the resonace, too.  If, however, she has been looking at digital pianos, then by all means, get it.  But make sure you get her the extras - a stand to place it on, volume pettle and extention cord.  It zapps batteries.  (sorry I'm a terrible speller, but you get the gist)  OH!  Make sure the keys are full sized - 3/4 sized keys will not do.<br /><br />Fritz
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Re: Recommendations on a portable digital piano? 14 years 6 months ago #4

If I get to go by GC, I'll check, but I think this one has full-sized keys and volume is variable with the amount of velocity in which the key is pressed rather than a volume pedal.  This one does come with a wired sustain pedal and may support a second pedal.  You bring up a good point.  Has she expressed an interest in digital pianos?  The keyboard action has come a long way at emulating the experience, but most musicians can still tell a difference in the resonance, particularly through the included speakers.<br /><br />A stand is a must and if she plans to play from sheet music, a stand for that as well to sit behind the keyboard.  I don't recommend using batteries unless no power source is available as they don't last long and add a lot of weight to the keyboard.<br /><br />I have not personally played a spinet piano, but from what I've heard and read, the differences in tonal quality and key action could disappoint her as much or more than the digital piano vs. a regular.  Spinet pianos use a more compact system for the hammers and strings, sacrificing the direct strike of a standard piano hammer when a key is struck.  One of the reasons for their drop in popularity was the invention of an electric piano and the availability of smaller uprights.  I don't think I'd recommend them over this Casio.

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Re: Recommendations on a portable digital piano? 14 years 6 months ago #5

  • bpsymington
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See if Widseth can give you any advice.  His better half is a piano teacher<br />
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Re: Recommendations on a portable digital piano? 14 years 6 months ago #6

I had a casio back in 1987...thing was solid and worked really well...it was the one with the tiny four drum pad drum kit...come to think of it - it was pretty funny...hahaha
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Re: Recommendations on a portable digital piano? 14 years 6 months ago #7

Doug,<br /><br />Musicians are a picky lot,  I know, lol.  Bottom line - any instrument must really be chosen by the player - it's a very personal thing between the music, musician and an instrument - like making love, seriously. lol  If you want to make husband points - ask her what she wants.  Let her pick it out.<br /><br />Fritz
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Re: Recommendations on a portable digital piano? 14 years 6 months ago #8

Yamaha is a decent brand for a keyboard, I'd personally recommend an electric piano over a keyboard but the last time I priced one was a few years ago and they were about a grand then. They are basically a full piano keyboard (size, look, feel are the same) without the piano behind them. They plug in like a regular keyboard, but you get the variation in volume when you hit the keys harder or softer, etc. like a normal piano. No idea what they would go for now, but they are much more like a real piano.
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Re: Recommendations on a portable digital piano? 14 years 6 months ago #9

I believe the one that Doug initially mentioned is a digital piano that runs about $399 with full size keys and touch response.  They have come down in price (although the Yahama equivalent is about $499).  I would agree with Fritz that it would probably be better for her to help with the choosing, particularly if you don't know her opinion on electric vs. acoustic.  If you want to maintain the surprise for the actual day, maybe make/buy a card with a piano or music theme and put something like  "Good for one digital piano of your choosing (max value: $X)"  The max value depends on how your relationship works.  If you think that will be offensive or trouble, leave it out.  You can then in the choosing be (hmmm.... are you sure we can swing that) if she's looking in the $1k group.<br /><br />Not sure how much lead time you have, but I'm still going to try and swing by GC for you.  Just don't know which day will work out (we only have one car and Toby needs it to drive to work each day).

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Re: Recommendations on a portable digital piano? 14 years 6 months ago #10

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Has anyone heard of a portable piano which had strings and pickups like an eletric guitar? I think the piano comes in two pieces with the strings and keyboard being one piece and a soundboard being the other piece. Each piece still weighed a lot (like 100 pounds each), but by taking the piano apart, it was a lot easier to move. <br /><br />As a piano player, I like the idea of strings. There's nothing like the feel of a real piano. Electric keyboards just don't cut it - even the ones that say they have good action.

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Re: Recommendations on a portable digital piano? 14 years 6 months ago #11

Made it to Guitar Center and checked out the Casio.  Definitely is touch sensitive and felt natural to play.  The harder you strike the key, the strong the note played.  Sound quality wasn't bad at all, considering I got to listen only with the internal speakers, no headphones etc.  If you want to play strings simultaneously with piano, you can press the two buttons at the same time.<br /><br />Seems like a decent choice to me.

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Re: Recommendations on a portable digital piano? 14 years 6 months ago #12

I spent a good 6 months debating on the digital piano to get.  I did look at the CDP-100 that you mentioned.  But I finally decided on a Casio Privia PX-120.  Same hammer action keys, great response, and it has a better sampling than the other model.<br /><br />I used to play regular piano as well, and I was amazed at how natural the Casios felt in comparison to the same level Yamahas.  But then this is still a lower end digital keyboard.  Great for beginners and intermediates, and you won't lose sound when doing chords.  Look at the reviews out there.<br /><br />The one I have cost me 449 + warranty<br /><br />P.S. If your wife intends to record her playing, the upper end Privias have SD card readers, but then again you can always just buy the cable to hook the output to a computer.<br /><br />I don't recall if the CDP-100 has that ability.
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