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Hi!
How reliable are digital pianos? Just want to know it makes sense to buy an extended warranty. I have been reading in several places about keys that fail.
I am planning to play it for a couple of hours every day.
Thanks.
-Henry

Forgot to mention. I am looking at a Yamaha P140.

Henry,

I personally wouldn't worry about an extended warranty. I've had a Yamaha P-200 for about 5 years and a P-120 after that for about 4 years and never had any problems with either of the digital pianos. I now have a Kawai MP8 and for the past two years have not had a problem. The key mechanisms of the Yamahas and Kawais and Rolands are very solid (also have a Fantom X8 with the nice keyboard). I woodshed typically about 1 to 2 hours per day, so these things have seen a good amount of use.

I think that basically you have to look at it like a TV or computer or something else electronic. If it'll break, they'll typically break early on within the warranty period. As far as the mechanical keyboard, these things are solid. Some synths with plastic keys do have problems, but these DPs are tight. Don't waste your money on any extended warranty for a DP.

Ciao,
Daniel

Keep in mind that many credit cards offer automatic "extended" warranty coverage just for using them for such a purchase. Granted, I've never had to make a claim... but it could save you from having to buy an extended warranty if you were thinking of going that route.

If you're going to really play it aggressively and move it constantly indoors/outdoors from gig to gig, then maybe. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother. The only item I'd ever buy such a warranty for would be a laptop computer.

Digital pianos are designed to be maintenance-free,
so an extended warranty doesn't make sense.
The regular warranty should be more than
adequate. An extended warranty on a reliable
item like a digital piano is like money
in the bank for the dealer, because the chances
are that it will never be used.

I've owned three digital pianos since 1989,
and I never had a problem with any of them.
My neighbor has my first digital, that I
bought in 1989, and it is still in perfect
condition.

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the input.
-Henry

I believe just about all the Yamahas now come with a 3 parts/labor warranty (except P65 and YDP131C).

There's been a number of posts on this forum from Casio owners who complain of loose keys, sloppy action after several months of heavy useage.

Does anyone know how common this problem is, have Casio acknowledged it or said they are working on a fix?

Hi there
If you look on this forum there are quite a few people who has had problems with Digital Pianos,
Like me the notes on the piano sound realy loud when you press the keys soft the sound is loud, i thought it might be just bad look for me with my Roland but read on this forum that a Yamaha CLP-280 owner Has this problem as well as others, but it might be just look i supose, anyway i thought i would share this with you.

Are you sure you just haven't got your velocity / key settings set at light or soft?

I recently purchased a DP from Musicians Friend. It was advertised as a BLEM but the price was so low I could not resist. When I got it, one of the keys was louder than the rest. I was not sure if that was the BLEM since MF does not tell you what the BLEM is. Anyway I got the key fixed under the warranty. MF wanted me to take an extended warranty and I have until april 14th to decide. So this thread is interesting because it touches on the same topic rolling around in my head. 'Do you go with the extended warranty or not'?

What make and model was that?
I purchased a YDP-213 that had the same problem and sent it back for replacement rather than have it worked on since it was 1 day out of the box.

It was a YPG-625. At first Yamaha web site said the closest repair shop was one hour away. I feaked out ! Then spoke to the Yamaha sales manager and he got me to someone across town,...whew ! I just could'nt see myself having to pack it up and send it back to MF.
What was wrong with it? Well ,..the keys and key pads need cleaning. Dust or residue will get under those keys and cause that problem. The tech had to take the DP apart [just about 1000 screws] and clean the key pads. The tech showed me the wiring board inside the DP. It was the most amazing site. Like looking at the inside of my computer. Thats all those things [DPs] are ; just a computer !!!!!

You didn't say but I assume it was messed up as soon as you unpacked it. Must have been a floor model. I'm only 30 minutes from the Yamaha mothership in Buena Park but was going to take it to an "authorized Yamaha" repair shop 5 minutes from home. Drove there walked in and there were pieces of TV's. toaster ovens, VCRs and just plain junk. I almost left it for repair but changed my mind. The idea of a brand new instrument being piled into that s*@t hole was not an option to me.
Was quite a puzzle getting it all back in the box but worth it.

hi the settings are correct, It started with one note then now 15 are the same, I know it isn't the settings because the sound when i am playing Arabesques by Dubussy the first bar is really light on the keys gradually geting louder, with my Piano every other note sounds out as if i'v smashed the key with an Hammer no lie, its horrible.

That sounds duff indeed. I'm assuming its out of warranty??