Roland Digital Piano Questions

“Who to buy from?”

Hi Graham,

I will buy a Roland HP but have to decide between HP302 or HP305 (?). Also, who to buy from ?

(I live in West Cambridgeshire, will need a good guarantee, and delivery).

Regards, Derek.

Reply/ Hi Derek

There are two main differences between the
Roland HP302 and HP305:

The HP305 has a sythnetic ivory key touch,
whereas the HP302 has plastic top keys…

There is no difference to the weight of touch,
or responsiveness of the keys. Only the feel
of the key tops is slightly smoother on the
HP305.

The HP305 has bigger speakers (2 x 30 watts
versus 2 x 12 watts on the HP302). This gives
quite a bit more power, and a richer, more
resonant piano sound.

I don’t know what level you are, but if
you’re a beginner then the HP302 will be
absolutely fine.

 

You can read reviews about piano stores here:
www.ukpianos.co.uk/piano-shop-reviews

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

 

Graham Howard, Piano Adviser

Send me an email if you have any questions or need advice: grahamhoward@ukpianos.co.uk
Or call 020 8367 5107

 

“I would be interested in your comments on the Roland HP302”

Hello Graham, Many thanks for your emails.

I have found the information in the digital piano guide invaluable.

As you so rightly say in your guide, digital pianos have certainly come a long way.

I teach paino & singing and I presently have an old but  reasonally reliable accoustic piano. I have owned
this second hand piano for about ten years now.

I was brousing in local a music shop recently and was given a demonstration on a Roland (HP302) I think. I was very
impressed with the sound & was quoted a price of £995. I really thought that the price would be much more (as
did my husband).

During the last two years we have moved into a small bungalow & I must say (even though I will have to save up)
I am really tempted to buy one. The extra room it would make would be a boon. Thats not to exclude the fact that I
really would like a digital piano & this has been in the back of my mind for a few years now.

I was particularly impressed with the model in the shop for many reasons. It has a grand piano sound. The control
board can be concealed (I like that feature). Being a music teacher, the technology of the instrument (being able
to record etc) appeals to me. It looks very smart, & it can be moved so easily & takes up so little room.
These are just a few of the advantages that make me want to buy one. I have sort of set my heart on one really
too.

Can’t afford one yet but I have definately set my sights on owning one in the not too distant future.

Thanking you once again for the most informative guide. I have passed it on to one of my pupils who is also hoping
to purchase a digital piano.

I would be interested in your comments on the model I have mentioned. I wouldn’t be happy to (on my limited
knowledge) purchase one without seeing it & hearing it. Both my husband & myself were extremely impressed
with the lovely “singing” sound of the Roland.

Kind regards,

Amanda Bouskill

Reply/ Hi Amanda

It sounds like the Roland HP302 is ideal for
your needs.

If you prefer a heavier/firmer touch then
you might want to compare the Yamaha
Clavinova range.

The Yamaha Clavinova range do sound and
feel closer to acoustic pianos, but the prices
are considerably higher.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

 

“Roland pianos from France. Do I get a UK Warranty?”

Hi,

Just been told by our local music shop that you are a price comparison site only and the price for the Roland will be delivered from France with no UK warranty – care to comment?

Annalisa

Reply/ Hi Annalisa

You can buy the Roland directly from us. We can
also give you a 5 year UK warranty. And we can
match any price.

There are also advertisers on our site which you
could buy from (one of them is French, one is
German, and another in the UK).
They all offer a UK warranty.

I suspect your local shop can’t – or isn’t willing to –
match online prices. I can understand this. With
their higher overheads it’s very difficult to compete.

If you would like to order from UK Pianos then
please call me on 020 8367 2080.

Many thanks!

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

 

“Are there digital pianos that don’t require maintenance?”

Hi Graham

Question is:

I’ve had a Roland HP 1500 for about 15 years, and I really like it.  The problem
is that I practice a lot and the rubber contacts wear out.  I’ve been replacing
them over the years, and that’s easy enough, but Roland stopped making them and
I’m running out.  So . . . . are there digital pianos that don’t require this
kind of maintenance?  Or might there be somewhere (I’m in the U.S. – here or
abroad) I could acquire a “lifetime” supply?

Thanks!

Adam

Reply/ Hi Adam

Digital pianos have an average life of 10 -15 years.
Roland tend to keep spare parts for up to 10 years.
But some parts they may run out of earlier.

It’s unlikely you’ll be able to find these parts now.

All digital pianos have this problem. So, it might
be best to trade it in for a new piano.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

 

“FP7 – What do you think?”

Hi Graham,

Thanks very much for your excellent article. I learnt a few things (eg.
escapement) I wondered whether you’ve had a chance to get your hands on a
Roland FP-7F as yet. I know it’s not available until November, but perhaps
you’ve had the opportunity to try it out.

I noticed the FP-7 didn’t rate much of a mention in your article. Any
particular reason? I’d be interested in your opinions on both this and the
yet to be released FP-7F. Pros and cons of course. They have ivory feel
keys, but I didn’t read anywhere if they are made of wood or not.

Best regards,
Angela

Reply/ Hi Angela

The Roland FP-7 is a nice stage piano. The synthetic
ivory keys do make a pleasant improvement to its
touch. So it would be worth waiting for the FP-7F
to come out.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

 

“I need an instrument that will fill a small Church”

Hello Graham,

You kindly sent me a copy of your Buying a
Digital piano guide.

I am needing to purchase a few instruments as a back up for several dying
organs in my set of parishes in the middle of rural Staffs.

I don’t have a lot of time and am a long way from anywhere.

I need an instrument that will be reliable, that will fill a small Church if
necessary to accompany hymns and also more creative worship music.  And also
to be good enough to act as a serious classical accompaniment instrument for
concerts.  Don’t ask much, do I?  And very little budget so I may have to
buy myself.

I have seen and chatted online to an ebay seller who has up her Roland KR
227 which she has been the one owner of for 7 years. It has a serious
keyboard and three pedals plus more than we would need in the way of voices.
She is moving to a smaller house.

But I haven’t been able to find any notes on that model online.  It has
obviously been remodelled. Do you know anything about it?  I think she
sounds honest and says she has been the only owner, but I don’t want to find
that I have bought something that is actually much older.

Also if you have any idea of a fair price to offer. She has a Buy it Now on
for £500 which sound very reasonable indeed, but only if it is a relatively
up to date model?

Thanks for any advice.

Annie Ballard

Reply/ Hi Annie

The Roland KR227 is a very old piano. I had a look
online but couldn’t find the date it was made.

It was a good piano in its day. And probably cost
a few thousand pounds!

So £500 does seem a good deal providing it’s in
full working order.

I wish you good luck!

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

 

“Escapement”

I have now noticed that the Roland HP305 has escapement which you advise
against in your piano buyer’s guide.
Does the Yamaha CL320 have this?  I really like the fake ivory touch keys though.

Thank you, Sandra

Reply/ Hi Sandra

The Yamaha CLP320 doesn’t have escapement.

If you want a digital piano that has the ivory feel
but doesn’t have the annoying, lumpy escapement then
the Yamaha CLP340 is the one I recommend for you…

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

 

“Is the Roland HP 201 a safe bet?”

Hi Graham,

I tried out Roland’s HP 201 yesterday. The sound was lovely and I think I
would be quite happy with it however if I found something with a heavier key
touch it would be preferable. I would prefer to try the pianos myself but
unfortunately my local shops do not have that broad a range. Do you think I
should keep looking or would the Roland HP 201 model be a safe bet?

Kind regards, Tara

Reply/ Hi Tara

The light key touch is the main problem with Roland
digital pianos…

Roland excel in other areas such as: sound, reliability,
build quality and reputation.

But if you want a piano that has a realistic, fully-
weighted key touch then I recommend looking at pianos
from Yamaha, Classenti, or Kawai.

Here’s some you should check out:

Yamaha CLP330
www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-clp330

Classenti CDP2
www.ukpianos.co.uk/classenti-cdp2

Kawai CN33
www.ukpianos.co.uk/kawai-cn33

Let me know if you need more help choosing your
piano. Here’s my direct number: 020 8367 2080,
extension 22.

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard