Digital Piano Questions

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Graham
I have found your website interesting and helpful. As an adult returning to piano playing as almost a complete beginner - what would you recommend? It would only be for my own interest and pleasure. I would like a realistic piano feel but obviously am looking for an entry level model. The entry level Roland has been recommended but seems expensive - is it worth though for the quality or would a Yamaha, Casio or Kawai be as good? I don't really want to spend more than £800.
 
Many thanks
Ann Osborne

Reply/ Hi Catherine

Thank you for your kind words about my website...
It is really appreciated!

First, let me say that the Roland is far too expensive
for what it offers...

If you have around £800 to spend then you are best
off buying the Yamaha CLP220.

Here is the link:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-clp220.html

Other pianos to consider are the Classenti CDP2 (£600),
Casio AP500 £955 or the Kawai CN21 (£741).

Here is what I think of them:

Classenti CDP2 - Nice sound, slightly heavy touch, nice
cabinet. Very good value and IDEAL for beginners.

Check it out here:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/classenti-cdp2.html

Casio AP500 - As a piano, not very good. Rather poor
sound, a slightly sluggish action. You pay more for this
piano due to the hundreds of 'bells and whistles'. i.e.
instrumental voices, rhythms and effects. Not a good
buy for the beginner or, in fact, a player of any standard.

Check it out here:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/casio-ap500.html

Kawai CN21 - Compact, nice realistic piano touch, don't
like the sound though. Still a much better buy than the
Casio.

Check it out here:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/kawai-cn21-piano.html

Please don't forget, this is my opinion. I advise to try
these pianos out for yourself and base your decision
on what feels right for you.

Let me know if you need any more help.
Graham Howard: 020 8367 2080.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Dear Graham

Which one would you choose between Casio's PX700 or Yamaha's YDP131 ?

I know PX 700 is discontinued but there are some great offers on these.

Thanks.

Regards

Hoe

Reply/ Hi Hoe

Without a shadow of a doubt (sorry for the cliche) it is...

The Yamaha YDP131.

I really do not like these Casio Privias!

The keys are rattly, the touch false and the sound bright.

The Yamaha YDP131 is by no means perfect, but a lot

nicer to play than the Casio.

If you are not desperate to buy a piano now, why don't you

wait a couple of months? The YDP140 (which is the replacement

for the YDP131) is coming out, and, it is MUCH better.

You can read more about it here:

http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-ydp140.html

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

UK Pianos

Hi Graham

Could I have your views on a Yamaha CP300 please?

I currently have a PSR540 and would like something with more feel

and no need to by another keyboard in the future.

Do you think I’m getting value for money  and quality at around £1300?

Many Thanks,

Gary

Reply/ Hi Gary

I haven't yet had a chance to review it properly yet.

But, I did try it recently and liked the sound quality.

What I don't like about it is the size -- it is just too
big and difficult to transport!

You might want to try out the Roland RD-700GX
as a comparison. This is my favourite stage piano.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Further

Hi Graham

The size or weight is not too much of an issue for me

and not having all the woodwork below like some other models,

suits my purpose even more. I see that there are many good points

about it and would anticipate the sound and build quality would be

up to Yamaha’s normal high standard The write up is good but the £1300 price tag

is substantial enough to make me think twice. Most people I talk to have not

touched one and I’m surprised  how many dealers have not even heard of it.

Perhaps they’re just salesman?

Thanks for your prompt reply and I think it’s time to stop browsing and get the

missus out there to buy one!

Thanks again.

Gary

Hello
 
I am looking for a digital piano which is light and small (76 keys would be fine, less than 135cm wide if possible) and has weighted keys and the best polyphony possible.   I don't mind about voices or drumbeats or anything like that - I only want to use it as a piano, and only at home,  I guess that a stage/portable one is likely to be the best choice.  I'd also like it to be less than £400!  I have been looking at Roland and Yamaha options and wondered if you could advise as to the best options.

Thank you very much.
 
Victoria

Reply/ Victoria

The Yamaha P85 will be your best bet. It is a little over the
£400 mark, but well worth it.

The P85 has 88 keys. There aren't many keyboards that
have 76 keys (that are any good) these days.

You can read more about the Yamaha P85 here:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-p85.html

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Dear Graham,

I have been playing the piano on and off for around 10 years, though I have only recently started playing regularly once more after a 2 year hiatus. Having played on a 100-year old upright all my life, I'm hoping to buy a digital piano for around £600-£750. Which digital piano would you recommend for that price range, considering that my main concern is having the sound and feel of an upright?

Kind regards,

Llyr Davies (Mr.)

Reply/ Hi Llyr

For the £600 to £750 price range I recommend either the Classenti CDP1, CDP2,
or the Yamaha YDP140.

Both Classentis have a realistic touch and sound. The Yamaha is an improvement
on the previous model (YDP131).

It is hard to pull a clear winner as far as value for money goes.

The Classenti CDP2 has the biggest speakers, while the Yamaha YDP140 is
the most popular.

You should read the product descriptions and choose the one that best fits your
needs.

Classenti CDP1: http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/classenti-cdp1.html

Classetni CDP2: http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/classenti-cdp2.html

Yamaha YDP140: http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-ydp140.html

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Dear Graham
I have never played a piano before and would like to learn.  Your website is very informative and I am interested in making a purchase.
 
I am particularly interested in buying a digital piano so that I can use headphones to practice when my young children are in bed but I don't want a digital one to be able to use all the high tech stuff on it - I would just use it as a normal piano - do you think I am making the right choice in purchasing a digital one or should I go for a standard upright?
 
Many thanks
Victoria

Reply/ Hi Victoria

If you want to play at night when the kids are in bed, then a digital
piano is ideal for that. You can either play it with headphones or
turn the volume right down.

You should look at either the Yamaha CLP320, or the Classenti
CDP2.

The only other option would be to buy a silent piano. This is a real
piano with the option of playing with headphones. These pianos
are very expensive though. It will probably cost you at least 4 times
as much as a decent digital piano.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Hi there ,
 
brilliant site!
 
wonder if you can tell me which is better the Casio AP80R Digital Piano or the Yamaha YDP131C Digital Piano. I am deliberating between the two and they are roughly the same price. The yamaha offerts 64 note polyphony but the casio only 32, is it fair to say that the yamaha is thus better?
 
Thanks,
 
Nazan

Reply/ Hi Nazan

The Yamaha YDP131 and Casio AP80 are very different pianos.

The sound and touch is reasonably good on both.

The YDP131 has the advantage of taking up less space and is
easier to move around the home. Easy to transport as well.

The Casio AP80 is a rather large, plasticky looking, ugly beast.

You can read more specs here:
Casio AP80R
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/casio-ap80.html

Yamaha YDP131
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-ydp131.html

By the way, the Yamaha YDP131 has now been replaced by the YDP140.
You can read more about the YDP140 here:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-ydp140.html

The Casio AP80 has now been replaced by the AP500:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/casio-ap500.html

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Thanks for your help much appreciated. Am now going to buy the yamaha.
 
Nazan

Terms Of Keys: Graded/Scaled/Progressive – Please Explain The Difference

Dear Graham
 
I have been doing some research in preparation to purchase a digital piano and I've come across a number of different descriptions in terms of the keys - variously, graded/scaled/progressive/.   Can you please explain to me the difference?  and how much should this effect my decision on purchasing?   I played the piano when I was younger to grade 10 level and want to purchase something that is of a fairly high quality that will provide the sound and touch of an accoustic piano - not too fussed about the 'bells and whistles'  - what would you recommend?
 
Many thanks
 
Svava

Reply/ Hi Svava

Scaled, progressive and graded hammer action all mean the same thing.

Each manufacturer likes to call it their own way.

I don't know why this is... it just confuses everyone!

The best name for it is 'progressive hammer action'.

The describes it best as the keys get progressively lighter
as you ascend the keyboard -- just like a real piano.

It is important to have this feature as well as touch sensitivity.

The pianos I recommend for you are the Yamaha CLP220, the
Roland RP101 and the Classenti CDP1.

The Yamaha is the clear winner in my view.

I find the Roland has too light an action, but a decent sound.

The Classenti has slightly heavier keys than the Yamaha (which
is good really), but the sound is not quite as realistic as the Yamaha.

hi . we are looking to buy a digital piano for our daughter who is about to take her piano grade one. We have seen a lovely looking bentley digital piano--but have no idea whether this is a good make or not. It sounds ok to us. Would you recommend this make?
many thanks
katie Mansbridge

Reply/ Hi Katie

Where did you see this piano?

I have never seen one.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

thank you so much for your time in replying. We saw it in Minns Music POOLE dORSET. Lovely looking digital piano in black ebony cabinet---- retailing at £599 reduced cos ex display model from £800.  Sounds fine to me touch sensitive etc. Our daughter about to take grade one so we need to get something. The trad pianos we have seen and like the sound from are in the £800.---£1000  range second hand. This seemed like a good option as the sound seemed ok. Our concern is that we could not find any inof or reviews of this make anywhere on the web. Minns Music is a branch of i"ntermusic" if that means anything to you.
Is it safer to go with the yamaha---what would you recommend at this £600 budget? Again many many thanks for your time.

Reply/ Hi Katie

I tried the Bentley digital piano out recently, but was not impressed.

I really didn't like the feel of the keys at all. And the sound was not
very realistic...

For around £500-£600 you can get a far better digital piano.

My recommendation is the Yamaha YDP131 (it is not available in
polished ebony though).

You can read more about it here:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-ydp131.html

My second recommendation is the Classenti CDP1 PE. This piano
is available in polished ebony and sells for £599. This has a lovely
sound and the touch is very close to a real piano --- you will be
much happier owning this piano.

You can read more about it here:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/classenti-cdp1.html

You can call me on 020 8367 2080 if you would like more info.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Info On Daewoo Digital Pianos

Dear Graham,
I was wondering if you had any information on Daewoo digital pianos?  I am considering buying a full size, second hand one that is 5 years old in good condition as a starter instrument for someone who has done grade 1 piano so is still a relative beginner.
Many thanks
Victoria

Reply/ Hi Victoria

As far as I know, Daewoo digital pianos are not sold
in the UK.

The secondhand one you found is probably quite rare.

I haven't personally tried out Daewoo digital pianos, so
I cannot comment on their quality. But my advice is to
not buy one...

Seeing as there are no UK distributors, if something were
to go wrong with the piano, you will probably have trouble
finding someone that can get parts or is even willing to repair
it for you.

It is far better to go for a new Yamaha, Roland, Casio or Classenti.

If you budget is very tight thne take a look at the Yamaha YDP131
or the Classenti CDP1.

You can read more about them here:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-ydp131.html

http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/classenti-cdp1.html

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

I am trying to find some reviews etc on digital pianos from Gear4music. These appear much chepaer than other brands which is good when on a limited budget, but not if they are no good. My sole aim is to play for pleasure and I have no intention of using the instrument for on stage performances.

Do you have any information on this range of instruments that you could share with me?

Regards

Nigel
 
Reply/ I Nigel

Can you tell me which model(s) you are looking at?

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Further comments/
At this stage specifically Classenti CDP 2,  Gear4Music 8815 digital Piano and Gear4Music JX120 Digital piano.

Although any information on the quality of their digital pianos in general would be fine, as I don't want to spend more than necessary but neither do I want to buy a dud just because the write up sounded great

Regards

Nigel

Hi Nigel

You will find the Classenti CDP2 a real pleasure to play.
The sound is very good and the action - although on the
heavy side - is firm and feels real.

The Gear4music 8815 is way too cheap and I have heard
that they are looking to change their line of pianos due to
reliability problems -- stay clear of this piano. Worth checking
their new piano line up though.

The JX120 looks like a better piano. I have yet to try this
model out. This looks like one from their new range.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Hi there,
 
I'd appreciate it if you could help me regarding buying a new piano.  My daughter is  good pianist (grade 8 distinction).  Hopefully she will be going to university in October and wants to be able to carry on playing.  We would like to buy her a good digital piano but are a bit overwhelmed by what is on offer.   Obviously she will probably be limited to room, so we thought that it should be able to fit on a desk , but being quite advanced she would need to have a full keyboard and the extra features that a digital piano can offer without being too gimmicky.    We don't want to go much over £1000 and quite like the Yamahas but are willing to consider anything.
 
Thanks for your help
 
Best Wishes
Anna

Reply/ Hi Anna

Buying a digital piano is always overwhelming!

There are so many makes and models out there
and what makes matters worse is you always
get conflicting advice from piano shops!

Looking at all the things you require, I have narrowed
your choice down to two digital pianos.

Yamaha P85

This is ideal as far as space goes. The keys feel close to
playing a real piano and the sound is not bad.

Read more here: http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-p85.html

Yamaha CLP220

Takes up a lot more room and comes complete with fixed
base. The sound is a lot better than the P85 though.

Read more here: http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-clp220.html

It seems that space will probably affect your decision more
than other factors.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Further comments/

Hello again Graham,
 
I notice that you said that the Yamaha CLP220 sounded a lot better than the P85.  Although, space is a major factor I'm a bit concerned about the P85 as my daughter  is rather picky about the sound.  Do you think that the P85 would be satisfactory?
 
Anna

Reply/ I am sure she will be happy with the sound of the P85.

Hello,
I was wondering if there are any digital piano's which will feel (weighted keys) and sound like a real piano for about £400-£450. I think that would be my upper spending limit and wondered if you could advise what would be the best I could get on this budget? Many thanks for your help.

Best Regards,
Faz

Reply/ Hi Faz

There are many digital pianos on the market under
£500, but I have yet to test the quality of them.

Here is a list of the ones I have tested:

1) Kawai CL25
Reasonable sound quality, touch is OK (could be better),
extremely compact cabinet. Good price. If space is an
issue then this will be a good choice.

Read more here: http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/kawai-cl25-piano.html

2) Classenti CDP1
Very nice touch and sound, compact, good price (if
you shop around). Not a well known brand. But it is
backed up with a 5 year guarantee as opposed to
3 years with the Kawai and the Casio.

Read more here: http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/classenti-cdp1.html

3) Casio PX120
The sound is not as good as the above two pianos.
Personally I don't like the touch very much, although
this piano has had many favourable views and is
used by piano teachers. I even noticed that Ruth
Searle, author of the Rocket Piano course plays one!
The PC120 is heavily discounted online. Check around
for the best deals. Don't buy too cheap though, you
may get a poor service.

Read more here: http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/casio-px120.html

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Dear Graham, first congratulations on your well documented website.

my wife and I both used to play the piano when we were kids and we both
would like to practise again.

I have been designated to choose a digital piano, and my dad has had a
Clavinova for the past 15 years and is very happy with it.

Due to size and budget constrains, I have narrowed my choice down to the
Yamaha YDP-S30 and the Kawai CL25.

You seem to be a big fan of Yamaha but only of the Clavinova range (the
YDP-S30 is not part of) if i understand correctly.

Could you please help us in our choice? The touch/sound is our main
deciding factor, since the recording can be done via our computer (I am
a bit of a geek) and we only plan to play the piano voice.

The other factor is that we have a cat ie. dusty environment and crazy
jumps, is the lack of keyboard protection (lid) on the Kawai going to be
a problem ? Are these things fragile, basically.

Many thanks in advance,

Best Regards,

Benjamin Le Révérend.

Hi Benjamin

Thank you very much for your kind comments.

Space is an issue in most homes today...

However...

The two most important things to look for when buying
a digital piano are touch and sound.

They Yamaha YDP-S30 does not have a very good touch.
Because of the cheaper key mechanism, the weight of the
key feels totally wrong.

The best I can describe this is a 'false touch'.

The springs are too strong, especially when you lift your fingers
off the keys... there is far too much push on the upstroke.

You will be happy with the sound though.

The Kawai CL25 is a little better. The touch is passable and
the sound is actually quite nice.

If it is a choice between the two, then definitely go for the
Kawai.
 
Most digital pianos under £400 are missing an important
ingredient. usually it is the touch that suffers most, sometimes
compromises are made in both touch and sound, especially on
the really cheap digital pianos.

Now onto the cat...

I am a cat lover myself and - although I don't currently have a cat -
I am aware of the damage they do to furniture.

Whatever happens, the cat will jump on to the piano at some point,
either scratching the keys or the key lid.

The leys are quite shiny, so it is unlikely they will be able to do too
much damage to them. But they can really dig those claws in to the
piano lid.

I used to re-condition upright pianos for a living. One particular piano
I had stayed up all night long repairing and that had also been French
polished the night before was very badly scratched on the lid by my
cat. The lid was down and I often wondered that if I had left the lid up,
if there would have been damage at all. 

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Further comments/

Graham,

It seems that the Kawai CL25 seems better on both sides.

We can get from a shop in Birmingham the Yam for 369 (which seems a
fantastic price) and the Kawai for 499 pounds, do you feel the Kawai is
worth the 40 % extra money compared to the Yam (i am still a student).

Is a music shop a place where I can try to bargain a bit ?
Cheers, Ben

Reply/ Hi Benjamin

Yes, the Kawai is worth the extra 40%.

You can buy the Kawai CL25 from Thomann through our site:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/kawai-cl25-piano.html

This is a very good deal. You get an adjustable piano stool
and headphones, free delivery and an extra years warranty
over all other shops.

I doubt your local music shop will be able to match that deal.
Even if they could, they probably wouldn't do it.

Give me a call if you need any more help.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

We have a Roland Piano Plus 70 - which suddenly packed up with a bang (literally).    Would it be worth getting looked and repaired, or can one be bought second-hand somewhere.
Alternatively, my wife fell in love with Yamaha Clavinova CLP which was lent to us for a while.  .  Where could we buy a second-hand one of these?
Would be most grateful for your observations.   Thank you.
John Harvey on behalf of my dear wife.

Reply/ Hi John

I have not heard of the Roland piano plus 70. It must
be an old model.

Digital pianos have advanced a lot since then...

I always advise purchasing a new digital piano, preferably
a Yamaha CLP220, YDP131, Roland RP101 or a Classenti CDP2.

http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-clp220.html

http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-ydp131.html

http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/roland-rp101.html

http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/classenti-cdp2.html

The Classenti CDP2 comes out the cheapest at £599, while
the YDP131 comes out just over £600.

If this is above your budget then a secondhand one will
have to do.

You can browse a list of secondhand digital pianos here:
http://marketplace.ukpianos.co.uk/Digital-Pianos_Qcategory1SUBCAT1

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Hello Graham,

I am from Argentina and would like to buy a digital piano. I read your article at http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/digital-pianos-which-brand-should-i-buy.html, where you give some opinions to consider at the time to buy one. Here in my country, DPs are extremely expensive (the bottom price is about U$S1300 and in Argentina that´s too much) so I have no other choice than the bottom range ones. The possibilities are: Casio PX200, Kawai CL30, Kawai CL25 and Yamaha DGX-620 (in some countries this model is YPG-625). The one I like less is the casio (so I think I´m discarding it). As you said, the piano sound is a bit weak and the keys are quite heavy. Kawai has a very beautiful sound with a 72 notes polyphony. Yamaha has also a beautiful piano sound (stereo sampled) but a bit different than kawai´s, but a lower polyphony (32). I wanted to ask you whether you know this models and which is your opinion about them. Should the yamaha DGX-620 be considered a real digital piano or it´s just a keyboard with good piano sound? Is 32 notes of polyphony enough? Would that be a problem? Is it true that the stereo sample divides polyphony in two (so the real polyphony instead in yamaha is 16)?

This would be my first time with a piano and that´s why there are some things that I don´t understand (like polyphony). I have intentions to learn piano but wouldn´t like to have to change it in a close (and not so close!) time (because of the high prices).

Thank you.
Regards.
Max.

Reply/ Hi Carlos

$1300 does seem a lot to pay in Argentina for your first digital piano.

The piano I recommend for you is the Yamaha YDP131. I am not sure
what the equivalent model is in Argentina? Maybe YDP140 or YDP113?

In England the price is around £600.

Don't worry about the Polyphony. 32 is fine.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Question/ Hello,

I wish to learn the piano and am looking to buy my first instrument. I'd be
prepared to spend up to £600 and wondered if you could recommend which piano
within that price range would best suit a beginner?

which websites are best and most trusted to buy online (preferably with free
delivery)?

what advantages for a beginner has the Casio Privia pX-800 over the 700?

I'd really appreciate your help

Best regards, Calum McNicol.

Answer/ Hi Calum

My favourite digital piano is the Yamaha CLP220. It is slightly
above your budget though (£698.21).
The CLP220 is worth paying the extra money for because it has
a superior sound and an incredibly realistic touch.
The Casio PX700 or PX800 are more affordable BUT you will
definitely notice a BIG difference in both sound quality and
touch compared with the Yamaha CLP220.
Another advantage of the CLP220 is that it will take you up to
grade 8 piano where the Casios will get you to no more than
grade 6.
The main difference between the Casio PX700 and PX800 is
the speakers. On the PX700 you get 2 x 8 watt speakers and
on the PX800 you get 2 x 20 watt speakers. The sound quality
is far better on the PX800.
The most trusted place to buy a digital piano online is from Thomann.
They offer a 3 year warranty on ALL digital pianos and a 30
day money back guarantee. Their prices are also among the
lowest you can find. Here is the link:
http://www.emixo.co.uk/17D

Regards,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Comments

Hi Graham,

Thanks very much for your response. I'll try to stretch the budget to the Yamaha Clavinova, I guess it will be worth it in the longer term.

Best regards,

Calum

Question/ Hi Graham

I like your website and have found it very interesting reading. Could
you possibly find the time to advise me on a digital piano, please?

I learnt to play the piano when young but, for many years, have had to
"make do" with a Roland D20 (61 key touch sensitive synth) and have
always missed the sound and feel (and keys!) of a real piano. I'm about
to buy a piano and I think it will have to be digital (cost/size). The
£1000 I have to spend seems to put the Yamaha CLP230 and Roland HP103
within reach but I can't seem to find any to try locally so I was
wondering what you thought about these two (or any other suggestions).

Many thanks for any help you can give me.

Best regards

Chris Partington

Answer/ Hi Chris

I am happy that you like my website.

Out of the two digital pianos you mention, personally I prefer
the sound and touch of the Yamaha CLP230 - but only slightly
over the Roland HP103.

I think the Yamaha has a more positive down stroke on the key
and feels more natural (like a real acoustic piano).

I find the Roland slightly too light a touch and they haven't quite
got the key balance right.

The sound of the Yamaha CLP230 is also clearer - especially the
middle octave and the one above that.

I can recommend a website where you can get a very good deal
and they will look after you if anything where to go wrong. Their
name is Thomann. Here is the link:
http://www.emixo.co.uk/157


Regards,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos