Hello. My daughter has been using our older Casio for a few years and it is time to get her a good weighted keyboard. We have a Yamaha midi controller, but it is 66 keys. I want to get her an 88 key unit. Embedded speakers are nice; but, not a necessity as we have a midi interface. Portability is nice, but is not a necessity.

Requirements:
Used
88 keys
midi
weighted keys
no NEED to upgrade later. Good enough for the intermediate to pro level musician.
budget minded... cheap $200-$400

I came across a KX88 for a couple hundred bucks. I looked at reviews and the people seemed to LOVE it; however, the reviews themselves were 10-20 years old; so, I did not know what to make of it all. Thus I came here for some direction. I am no musician. My daughter is dilligent to play, but she does not study makes and models, she practices a lot.

Thank you for some direction, tips, reference articles, or??

-Mike

If a keyboard does not have speakers ... what will the MIDI interface do for you?

I am a bit confused. We have two keyboards Casio with internal speakers and yamaha with no speakers. We are able to use the yamaha by connecting the midi cables from the keyboard to the interface (Iscarlett) and then on to a computer and speakers.

I assume she will do the same. Or we will get an amp and on to speakers that way.

This is a little above my knowledge base. But I am sure we will have to get a few periphials. What I am setting as a standard is that "internal speakers" are not a requirement. If the model we get has them, great.

I'm not sure of the connection you're making here. All my keyboards have had MIDI, very few have had speakers, and they are used for two entirely different things...


MIDI allows you to (among other things) use the keys on a keyboard to trigger a sound that is not in the keyboard (i.e. a sound in a sound module, a computer, or another keyboard), or let another device trigger the sounds in your keyboard. It can be implemented via dedicated 5-pin MIDI jacks (most versatile, but requiring an adapter/interface to connect to a computer) or via a USB connection (which allows you to directly connect the keyboard to a computer, but typically not directly to another keyboard or sound module).

No DP is that good, and that cheap -- not even used.

. . . What level is she playing at, now ?

. . . What is your _real_ budget -- how much would you spend, for a DP that _did_ meet the "intermediate-to-pro level (classical, I assume) musician" ?

Thanks -

Her skills are intermediate, but she practices every day even though she is taking violin classes right now.

I know she will stay with it and I do not want to buy another one later. This held good with my other daughter and think this daughter is as committed to stay with it.

So, what are a few models in the used market at the lower end that meet my criteria even if it exceeds my budget?

Is the Yamaha KX-88 not suitable for what I specified? I know it is in this range, but I do not know if there are better options.

Then a new digital piano is the way to go here. There's nothing worth recommending for a dedicated intermediate player as a "forever" used instrument in your $200-400 price range.

Maybe something like a Roland FP-10, plus a stand (don't cheap out on an unstable, single "x" stand), and a DP-10 pedal (instead of the lousy "switch" type pedals that are typically included with inexpensive digitals). You'd be at about $600, all-in.

KX88 should be a nice board to drive a software piano. Some info at

http://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2113367

Unless I'm wrong the KX88 has the same action (plus aftertouch) as my (tucked away in the closet) Yamaha PF80 and I tried to compare it with an old Privia and a Kawai ES-100 once.

It actually has no hammers. But it's quite "piano like". The most standout differences to the Privia and Kawai would be no return bounce, maybe less force (from the keys) pushing your fingers up when a key is pressed down and maybe it's a bit slow action. But probably not any worse than the old Privia. The keys feel very "solid" compared to the awful hollow plastic keys in the Privia.

So, it could be usable. And if not, there's probably always someone to buy it due to it being a "legendary master keyboard".

But I'm not even "intermediate". Actually I lack any proper piano training. So what do I know?

I'm sure some might hate it. I mean those people who buy a Kawai VPC-1 and complain that "it's nothing like a real grand". And it's probably very very very heavy. (To carry I mean. The touch is close to modern digital pianos.)

And seriously, it's from the 80's or so. It's ancient. But if money is tight...maybe give it a try.

I own a Roland RP 301 R which I bought 2nd hand and which I believe was discontinued in 2017.

My 9 year old daughter absolutely loves it as indeed do I.

I paid the equivalent of US$600 for mine but I am sure you can find one much cheaper if you live in a civilised country.

Just for your info my Roland looks like this https://imgur.com/UrQlvIh

Ok folks. How does a Kawai ES6 sound? It is a digital piano and someone I know will sell it to me for $350. very good shape. Stand and pedal included.

Go for it

Thank you everyone for all the help. I learned a lot through this little experience. Emily is extremely happy with the keyboard I purchased her. We found a Yamaha DGX 650 in excellent shape for $300. It is 88 weighted keys. It came with the piano stand and three pedals, as well as a single pedal which she is using since we have it on the bedroom countertop in our camper for space limitations until the house is built.

Excellent price! Happy playing!

Score! That's a price you can feel great about. Hope she enjoys it!