Hi,
 
Can you tell me the difference between GH, GHS, and GHE actions?
 
I have just ordered a YDP-140 which has GHS action which I thought would be a better action than the YDP-131 which had a GH action. However, I now see that the YDP-160 (which I assume is the big brother of the 140) has a GH action also. So perhaps GH is better?
 
I'm confused.
 
Thanks
 
Dave Benstead

Reply/ Hi David

The GHS means (Graded Hammer Standard). This type
of action is below the level of the GH (Graded Hammer)
action. It is an entry level key system and doesn't feel
as nice to play as the GH.

I have tried the new Yamaha YDP-140 and it has a
really nice touch.  A lot better than the previous
model (YDP-131).

The YDP160 is a more powerful piano and has the more
advanced touch. It is not available in the UK. Still, it is
better to buy the CLP220 anyway.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Further comments/

Hi Graham,

Does this mean the YDP140 is a lower level action than the YDP131 (which I'm sure the Yamaha site says was a GH action)? This would seem to contradict your experience which suggests the YDP140 feels better.
 
Is it all fairly academic anyway? This piano is primarily for my 8 year old daughter and I (both novices) as a step up from the keyboard (plastic lightweight not touch sensitive keys) we're currently using. I just want to be sure I haven't been short changed by being offered a YDP140 in place of the YDP131 I'd originally ordered.
 
I had a good look at your website first and was surprised no-one had asked this before as I find Yamaha's terminology completely bewildering!

Thanks
 
Dave Benstead

Reply/ Hi Dave

Yamaha's terminology is very baffling.

Just go for the Yamaha YDP140. It is an improvement on
the YDP131. Your daughter will be happy with this piano.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard

Hello
I read your article on the net where you review digital pianos.  I am currently living in Qatar and don't have the luxury of going from store to store to search for the best piano.  There is a Yamaha store here so that is a very likely choice.  However, a colleague is selling her Technics digital piano.  Do you know anything about this brand?
 
This piano will mainly be used for my 5 year old daughter as she is starting piano lessons very soon.
 
Kind Regards
Karli Walsh

Reply/ Hi Karli

Technics used to make nice digital pianos. They stopped production
I think about 3 years ago.

It is safer to buying a new Yamaha rather than a secondhand Technics.
If anything went wrong with the Technics, you might be in for an
expensive repair.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Hi there
 
I understand that the sound from the Yamaha P85 is not brilliant. I am used to a Knight K6 which has to go (lack of space in new house).
 
I have a Marshall MG50DFX, 50W amp. Would it suit the Yamaha P85.
 
Or would I be better off buying a Roland piano/keyboard. I'm not after gimmicks just a piano- feel keyboard with a realistic piano sound.
 
Budget up to £1200 but very happy to spend a lot less.
 
Many thanks
 
George Phillips

Reply/ Hi George

The Yamaha P85 has in-built speakers, but I assume
you will be using it for gigs, so a decent keyboard amp
is needed.

The Marshall MG50DFX is meant to be used with guitars.
It is unlikely you will get a decent sound out of it if used
with a keyboard or stage piano. At best there will be
some interference.

My recommendation is to go for the Roland KC150.
This delivers around 65 watts of amplification.
You can read more about it here:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/roland-kc150.html

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Further/
Many thanks for the swift response.
 
My gigging days are over (a slim chance of stage use). It will be primarily home use. Does that alter your proposal? Presumably 30W would be ample?
 
I have no objection to your posting the Q and A on your website.
 
By the way – what’s the difference between a stage piano and a digitla piano?
 
Cheers
 
G

Reply/ Hi George

Yes, 30 watts would be enough for home use.

A stage piano is also a digital piano. They are called stage
pianos due to their portability. They are designed primarily
to be played 'on stage'. They always  require a decent
amplifier to get the best sound out of them.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

I was approximately grade 6 level piano eight years ago,
and now wish to get a piano again. I am in a small flat so
feel that a digital piano is the only feasible option to
get up my tight stairs. However please could you recommend
a good value option with weighted keys.

Are there any with a normal 'upright' as i would wish to
use the top of the paino as a shelf, as you blatantly do
with a standard piano.

My budget is around £500-£750

Thanks,

Charlotte

Reply/ Hi Charlotte

The Yamaha CLP220 (soon to be replaced by the CLP320) is the
very best choice. But, it is above your budget.

Take a look at it here:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-clp220.html

A good second choice is the Roland RP101:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/classenti-cdp2.html

or Classenti CDP2.
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/roland-rp101.html

The Roland is nicely compact and has a rounded sound and
fairly light crisp action. Very much like playing a light touch
upright piano.

The Classenti has heavier keys so it is more like playing a
nice German upright piano. Many have commented that it
feels like playing a Bluthner.

All three pianos have a flat top, so you can pile up your
music books.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

-

Please can you advise me on what you consider the better digital piano, Yamaha YDP 131 or Casio AP 80 or 45, or is it worth buying a second hand CLP 550?
 
Many thanks
Linda

Reply/ Hi Linda

The Casio AP80 has been replaced by the new model AP500.

It is a tough call between the Casio AP500 and the YDP131.

They are both different pianos of course:

The Casio has many additional instrumental voices and rhythms
and larger speakers.

The Yamaha has only a few voices and 2 small 6 watt speakers.

The Casio seems on paper the better deal, but consider the
Yamaha has a much nicer sound than the Casio and is much
cheaper!

If it where me, I would go for the next model up in the Yamaha
range, the CLP220. If this is above your budget then look at
the Classenti CDP1 or CDP2 -- great value!

Here is more info for you to read:

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

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

http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/casio-ap500.html

http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/classenti-digital-pianos.html

Never buy second hand. Repairing digital pianos can be VERY
expensive.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Hi Graham,
 
Please can you tell me if the Thomann DP-40RW or the Hemingway DP501 (or any other series) are an adequate digital piano for someone who has some experience of playing, it is a present, but unfortunately I have little knowledge of either of these makes,
 
Many thanks
 
Linda

Reply/ Hi Linda

You know, I haven't played or tested either the Thomann DP-40
or the Hemingway DP501. So I couldn't comment about them.

The price seems VERY cheap. So, initially I would be a little
concerned about the quality.

The DP40 has 'hammer action keys', whatever that means?

It looks like it doesn't have a 'progressive hammer action' -
which is what you definitely need.

This means the keys on the left of the piano are heavy and
get progressively lighter as you go up the  keyboard.
This mimics the feel of a real piano...

It all looks impressive, especially as it has 10 instrumental voices,
2 x 25 watt speakers, MIDI in/out (to connect to computer),
built-in metronome, transpose (if you really need this?), and a
sliding keyboard cover (wow! a real nice added bonus!)

The question is...

What does it sound like, and how realistic does it feel when
you are playing it?

This I cannot tell you. But from my experience, I am not
confident you will be happy with THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT
characteristics.

I have been asked about Thomann and Hemingway pianos
before (a few times actually). So I am going to order these
two pianos from Thomann myself and give them a thorough
testing.

You will be able to see my reviews on the ukpianos.co.uk
site in about 2 - 3 weeks time (if you can wait?).

This is where you will be able to read about them:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/digital-piano-reviews.html

One last note.

If you are buying a digital piano for someone that already
plays, then don't take a chance on the Thomann or
Hemingway until you have read my reviews. It is better
to go for something that they will happy with for sure:
Yamaha YDP131, CLP220, Roland RP101, Classenti CDP1
or CDP2.

Give me a call in you need more help: 020 8367 2080.

Yours pianistically,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos