Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Yamaha P-155 still good in 2020?

I have been practicing a lot more since the pandemic started and have improved to the point where I think its time to upgrade from my Casio CDP-130. I was looking at buying a P-125 but im not sure if the action would be a big enough upgrade over my casio. I found a used Yamaha P-155 for the same price as a new P-125.

Is a Yamaha P-155 still better than a budget piano like the P-125 or a Kawai ES110? How does it compare to its replacement the P515 or a Kawai ES8?

The P155 is long out of production. And I don't much care for used digital pianos. I'd look for something newer.

Thoughts about P-155: http://forum.pianoworld.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/2854794/yamaha-p155-still-good.html

Of course it is. The P-155 features a four layer sample instead of the single layer ones in P-125 and ES110 and the standard pivot length GH action, instead of the short-pivot GHS in P-125. Also it records SMF MIDI files on USB storage (something even the ES520 cannot do).

The P-515 is a much more advanced (and more expensive) instrument (than the P-155 ever was). If comes with Yamaha's top-notch RGE VRM sound engine, featuring the CFX and Bösendorfer samples and a wooden action (NWX).

Used MP7SE
Used Kawai ES8
Used Roland FP90
New Kawai ES920
New P515

The other option:
Used MP11
Used/new VPC-1

From where do you get used DPs this recent? Even the new stuff became scarce during the lockdown.

They come when they do, so you need to program the websites to give you alerts, or check regularly.

My MP7SE I found on fb marketplace by just regularly trawling. Things go pretty quick sometimes.

Stupid question (but I'm really curious): Do you all think that the second-hand market is as good in these COVID-19 times as it was before? I don't know whether, under these circumstances, I'd be interested in a pre-owned instrument. Is this just me? Any thoughts?

It's been my experience that the second-hand market is very "picked over" right now, at least here in the US. People don't have or want to spend money on new items if they can find good used ones, and therefore all the better used inventory is really hard to find. This seems to apply to lots of products besides pianos right now.

Thanks, terminaldegree! That's an interesting observation. So maybe it's just me who has "hygienic" concerns. :-) (Yes, I know, these concerns may well be rather psychological than objective. But I'd really have no interest in a pre-owned instrument these days.)

Where I live, the used market didn't really exist much before the bug and now it entirely vanished. I bet could resell my P-515 furniture bundle at the 1659 € I paid for it, just so someone doesn't have to wait 2-3 months to get it. But I'm happy to have it, so it stays.

I'm not too keen on used pianos in ordinary times. And I'd never consider a Covid piano.I need my health more than I need a piano.

Okay, thanks, JoeT! So it really is just me.

Update (after seeing MacMacMac's reply): ...no, it isn't! :-)

I’d buy the right used piano. I’d wash hands well after trying it, and let it sit for a day or two after getting it home. COVID seems to be transferred through the air, not so much on surfaces, and it doesn’t survive long on its own.

The odds of you getting COVID in the worst hit areas of the UK which are undergoing lockdown, is currently 1: 400.
That's if you're putting yourself about a bit. I'd not be put off buying a piano, but I wouldn't go to the Gym just yet.

Someone bought the one I was looking at from guitar center as it was in my cart. Which one of you was it? Hope you like it.

Ill start looking for one of the pianos Doug M. suggested. Thanks

I bought mine second-hand and right after setting it up, I used a now common sanitizer with a cloth to clean the surface and the keys. I didn't overdo it though, dampened the cloth just a bit.

@casiobro

Also check out other brands like Korg (D1,B2,C1...) and Nord, don't limited yourself to the popular high-end brands like Yamaha and Kawai, especially when buying a mid-range or low-end DP.

PMFJI --


Doug M's list includes the VPC-1. That's not the same beast as all the rest -- it has no built-in sound generator, so you'll be using VST's (and outboard loudspeakers, or headphones).

The MP7 (I think) and MP11 (I'm sure) don't have built-in loudspeakers.

They're all good choices, if you understand what you're buying.

Right now I have the choice between a used FP30 for $600 and new Fp30 $1000, a new P125 for $850, a new Korg Sp280 for $999(friend recommended have not tried) or the RD88 foor $1800 new. The Yamaha P515 is $2100 all Cad$. The P255 is used and is $1300, I think there may be another P155 for $1000 used as well but can not find it I found a P120 but it is $1100 and is not local, don't want to buy without trying or ship. Any advice would be so appreciated, I do not want to lose out again. I lost out on a FP30 with 3 pedals and furniture stand for $860.

I don't know what I need in terms of midi, USB bluetooth for future recording as well.