Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Need help choosing the right DP

@PV88 - Thanks for the suggestions! I will look more into that DP. I like he stand too, looks very sturdy, which is something I am also looking for. I don't want to have the keyboard move around on me if I start rocking out on it, lol. Thanks again!

@Mark - I'll keep the YDP-161 in consideration. I just need to try out other boards. The Yamaha seems very bright to me and the action seems almost too stiff. That could be a good thing though. Maybe I'm just not used to the feel. The Yamahas sound good too! Don't get me wrong. I just feel it's too much on the bright side, I think I want a warmer tone. Only time will tell and trying out other DP's.

Thanks everyone for the responses! Keep them coming! You guys are helping for sure.

I've heard A LOT of good things about the Kawai boards....I just don't know if there is anywhere near me to try one, I will look into that.

The Kawai to me sounds a kind of similar to the Yamaha, while the Roland has a much darker, warmer, not so bright sound. Some therefore say that the Roland would even sound muffled. I personally love the Roland sound. It is very pleasant to the ear and gives your music, well, a warm background. I doubt that it would come out clearly in the context of a blues, jazz or rock band, alongside of electric guitars and/or drums. It is just not as bright and therefore weak to cut through such noise. It could play nicely together with a violin, flute or vocals, though.
After it was suggested to you, what do you think about connecting a software piano to your future keyboard? Do you consider it for you to be feasable to have a PC close to your piano?

Thanks for the reply man!

I have considered that. I have a Mac and would love to record little pieces of music and/or hook up and use keyboard samples. With that being said, I don't really want to use a computer for my sounds, but more to just record.

I feel like this search will never end, and as soon as I find a DP I like I always seem to find one I want more, lol

I know have a few more pianos to add to my list..

Yamaha YDP-161
Roland F-120
Casio PX-850
Roland FP-4F
Kawai CL36

I've also been looking at non-cabinet options, but I'd really like the furniture on the piano, especially since I don't plan on moving this piano around.

I also can't try out any Kawai pianos...no dealers around my house...and as I said before I can't even test out half the pianos I want to...

Any other ideas guys? Thanks!

If under 1500$ I would recommend Kawai CN33 as well. And I am very happy owner of CL-36 :-) However, you should really try it before buy, pedals position may not suit you if you are taller person.

I keep hearing good things about Kawai pianos but I can't try them out anywhere..it sucks

@John Jr,

If you are in the US (or, Canada) have you tried using Kawai's dealer locator page, here?

http://www.kawaius.com/locator2012.html

Or, call 1-800-421-2177
(ext 878 for assistance)

No, I didn't try that! I just looked and there is one locations about 6 miles from my house that I never even hear of before. I'll go check that place out...

John Jr, that's great!

pv88, thank you for pointing out the Kawai US dealer locator.

Cheers,
James
x

@John Jr,

Glad that I could be of some help, and, do let us know what you find when you have had the chance to play a few pianos.

@James,

Yes, the Kawai "dealer locater" is a good tool as it makes it easy to find a local store.

Thanks for all the replies and all the help! It's really helping me narrow down my search.

I don't know if any of you like or even have heard of Ben Folds...but I'm a fan of his and love the way his Baldwin sounds. I know I can't get an acoustic grand sound without buying one..but I want to get as close to this sound as possible..

http://youtu.be/5i76r0B3o1c

Any ideas on a DP that sounds similar to that?

Once again, I really only want a piano sound...don't need any effects, or horns, bells, guitars, organs, etc..

Thanks guys!!! Being a big help!