Discuss other brands keyboards, synthesizers, modules, software, controllers including how they compare or work with the Nords.

Buying a digital piano

Postby modulus » 11 Nov 2015, 23:19

I'm on the market for a new digital piano. Unfortunately my budget is maximum $1000USD, so that puts a Nord out of range :(

Luckily, after hours of research I found that I can have a pretty decent digital piano for $400-800. I'm not as concerned about features, I more care that the keyboard action is acoustic-piano-like, and the piano sample is super high quality. This guide helped me out quite a bit with my research, and I'm now thinking I want to get the Yamaha P-105, or the P-115 since it's a bit newer.

Anyone have experience with the Yamaha P-series? Thoughts?
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Buying a digital piano


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Re: Buying a digital piano

Postby spradders » 12 Nov 2015, 12:48

My thoughts...
- You're really asking this on the wrong forum; you'll get better advice about Yamaha on a Yamaha forum or general digital piano forum
- You get what you pay for; the cheaper Yamahas are fine depending on what you're looking for. I've always favoured Rolands but Yamaha often tend to be better for home use
- Don't rule out Casio, they make some ok budget digital pianos now
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Re: Buying a digital piano

Postby GeeDeWee » 12 Nov 2015, 13:34

You might consider buying a second hand Nord Piano 88. Plenty of piano samples to choose from, including new ones that may be released by Clavia in the future.
Action is personal, but I like the HA action though it's never the same as acoustic piano action IMO.

Don't know what a second hand Nord Piano 88 should cost over there, but I sold mine for € 1000 in The Netherlands (and bought a Stage 2 :D )

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Re: Buying a digital piano

Postby spradders » 12 Nov 2015, 16:41

Probably for that budget, the main thing is to decide whether you only want it for home use (in which case get something with built-in speakers), or are likely to gig with it.
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Re: Buying a digital piano

Postby Dugrok » 16 Nov 2015, 15:37

modulus wrote:I'm on the market for a new digital piano. Unfortunately my budget is maximum $1000USD, so that puts a Nord out of range :(

Luckily, after hours of research I found that I can have a pretty decent digital piano for $400-800. I'm not as concerned about features, I more care that the keyboard action is acoustic-piano-like, and the piano sample is super high quality. This guide helped me out quite a bit with my research, and I'm now thinking I want to get the Yamaha P-105, or the P-115 since it's a bit newer.

Anyone have experience with the Yamaha P-series? Thoughts?

I've played the Yamaha p-series for most of my life. I still have one in my living room just for toying around, but as soon as an idea gets serious I go downstairs to my studio where my nord is. I've been playing a Stage 2 HA88 for a little over 3 years now and will never go back to a Yamaha as my main board for several reasons (quality of samples, weight, price, quality of build, quality of life issues).

That being said, the keybed on the Nord CAN feel heavy and be fatiguing if I'm playing very percussively for a long period of time.

There is nothing inherently wrong with the yamahas though. Especially if you're intending to set up your piano in your house and never move it.

This really depends what you want to use your piano for.

If you're gigging at all, get the Nord. It's the lightest in class and sounds best not to mention the mono/stereo algorithm is a godsend.

If 1000$ is all you have and you don't want to spend a penny more, get the Yamaha.

If you're somewhere in between, I'd probably still opt for the Nord.

Good luck with your search!
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Re: Buying a digital piano

Postby modulus » 18 Nov 2015, 02:13

This is great, thank you all. For those asking, this is mostly for home use, but I would probably hook whatever I get up to nice external speakers.

"You might consider buying a second hand Nord Piano 88" --> I am now looking into this. Thanks again all :)
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