Hi,
OH's birthday coming up and want to get her a digital piano. Budget around $600 give or take.
Any recommendations?
Thanks
White Electric Piano with Stand
Gerbud on 17/07/2017 - 01:39
Last edited 17/07/2017 - 01:56
Last edited 17/07/2017 - 01:56
Comments
Digital I'd say (updated post). Thanks
iPad Pro 12" with an App, OH will thank me later : )
$600 is tight for a digital piano, especially with a furniture-style stand. Here's what I'd recommend, but if she's a pianist/keyboard player already then get her to try them out, feel is important.
- Korg B1, most basic digital piano ~$500 without stand
- Casio PX160 ~$770 without stand
- Yamaha P115 ~$760 without stand I have this one it's great
- Kawai ES100 ~$850 without stand
Personal opinion, Kawai has the best sound and Yamaha has the best feel. For a no-frills piano the Korg is pretty decent, it's really just a hammer action and a grand piano sound. OTOH the Yamaha also has MIDI and real aux out, which is useful if you're recording.
Edit: Once you've picked a model, you can probably find a cheaper price than Better Music, they're just my go-to place for "normal price", because RRP on music gear is never what's for sale.
Thanks so much :)
Agree. Yamaha P115 would probably the best choice around that price range.
Kawai ES110 doesn't feel good, very plasticky feeling when playing it.Otherwise, you might be able to get a 2nd hand Kawai ES6 around 500-700 in ebay/gumtree if you're lucky. It has a more solid body than P115.
What do you have at the cheapest end? I just want something I can plug maybe some earphones into and play some yiruma haha among others nothing fancy just a simple electric keyboard.
This really is the bottom end of electronic pianos. A quick google suggests yiruma haha is a pianist, so that's probably what you want. You might be able to get by with a Yamaha NP-32 ~$370, no stand no pedal? They're quite good as a travel/budget piano.
Steer clear of Casios in JB Hifi if you're wanting to play anything other than electronica… and even then you'd be better off with a midi controller than those keyboards.
Hmm ok $370 I think I can swallow that. So you reckon this is the cheapest I should go for playing some classical style music? All I really want is to play piano and only really orchestral type music or classical. Nothing else.
If it has digital functions awesome but my main deal breaker is price.. acoustic or digital honestly doesn't matter much to me just price.
Will definitely try some eBay and gumtree first but first need some good model numbers and brand names. Btw cheers thanks man lupiter if I haven't mentioned it yet your knowledge of pianos is awesome to me.
@AlienC: Yes, I wouldn't go much cheaper for classical. Classical music is actually harder to pick a digital piano for than pop or electronica, because it is written for acoustic (grand) pianos. Pieces will expect a full 88 keys, 3 pedals, some even use rebound on the hammer action and the way strings within the piano will make nearby strings resonate. As you go up and up in price they can give you more of that in a digital piano.
I think I'm probably a bit more generous on what I think works for classical than say, /r/Piano who would disqualify the NP-32 because it doesn't have hammer action. My sister has the NP-31 (previous model) and plays what I would call modern classical, and while she likes my P115 better she had a tighter budget and smaller space; the NP-32 is an acceptable compromise.
If you can get to a musical instrument shop (not JB HiFi, an independent shop), try it for yourself. They're quite popular models so they'll probably have the NP-32 or the NP-12 (fewer keys).
Just don't look at overseas prices, they'll make you sad. Sooo much cheaper.
@lupiter: hmm ok thanks yeah I might take up your advice and try go to a musical shop first before i decide to buy. I was going to check YouTube reviews and performances but like tv's sometimes it's hard to judge.. so try before you buy should be my best bet
@AlienC: It's hard to understand the feel of a keyboard without playing it. Definitely try them out, what someone else hates you might find perfect. I had my heart set on a Casio PX5S based on reviews until I went and tried it - the action was too heavy and I didn't like the fake ivory texture on the keys.
@lupiter: so true so true.. this is something unfortunately that can't even be described in messages or words I defined gotta try it in store
@AlienC: +1 gotta try it, it's a very personal thing.
Haven't tried too many digital pianos, but could vouch for the Yamaha P115, but might be out of your price range (~$750). Yamaha P45 is cheaper at around $549, and is probably the least I'd expect any of my piano students to fork out for a new digital piano. To me, the price difference is worth it though if you are going to be playing through the speakers, since the P45 speakers I feel are a bit tinny. Same action, as far as I know. Maybe second hand?
Acoustic or digital?