Looking for a keyboard/digital piano

[Simpo Two]

It's a good question and frankly I was putting that off as I can't just sit down and rip off a tune. However tomorrow I shall be close to Manns in Colchester with a friend who can play loads of stuff including this rather fun piece http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX5ZXiJor2E . So he can play and I'll pay

[Hoofy]

I can't see why you need to pay that much for one. My used one (see above) seems fine to me.

[Maxf]

Hoofy said:

Simpo Two said:

Do you have experience of one?

I suppose I could always cover up the name with a Bosendorfer logo

No, never tried their digital piano. Have used one of their synths from the 1980s and had no problem with it. To me Casio is about scientific calculators so their electronics must be pretty decent in my mind.

And g-shock watches... you might find their keyboards are decent and can be thrown down a flight of stairs

[Hoofy]

Maxf said:

And g-shock watches... you might find their keyboards are decent and can be thrown down a flight of stairs

Why the hell did I completely forget about G-shocks??

[Simpo Two]

Well by way of a follow-up, and following a thorough audition, the Kawai ES100 (thanks 'theboss') beat the equivalent Casio decisively, but they didn't have the other contender, the Roland F20. Kawai and Roland seem to put the money into a good piano sound and feel, with minimal frills, whilst the Casio seemed like an over-buttoned toy in comparison. The next Yamaha up after the P105 is over £1,000+ so they're out.

The nice shop has got an F20 in so tomorrow is the showdown!

[theboss]

Simpo Two said:

Well by way of a follow-up, and following a thorough audition, the Kawai ES100 (thanks 'theboss') beat the equivalent Casio decisively, but they didn't have the other contender, the Roland F20. Kawai and Roland seem to put the money into a good piano sound and feel, with minimal frills, whilst the Casio seemed like an over-buttoned toy in comparison. The next Yamaha up after the P105 is over £1,000+ so they're out.

The nice shop has got an F20 in so tomorrow is the showdown!

Glad to hear my recommendation was worthwhile - as originally stated my Dad considers these as a pro with a piano background so authenticity of sound and touch, and also build and practicality, are far more important than gimmicks.

Which way did your decision go in the end?

[Simpo Two]

theboss said:

Which way did your decision go in the end?

Well they ordered in a Roland F20, and frankly I was disappointed. Visually it was clad in cheap-looking boxy black wood-effect plastic, and I didn't think the sound was as realsistic as the Kawai. This may have been because the in-built speakers are not as good, but that is how I'm going to hear it so that is important! Both keyboards were lacking in the buttons department so they were equal on that score. But no matter what was played, I liked the sound of the Kawai better. It also feels better as the Roland has 'ivory effect' keys - which actually means matt plastic instead of gloss. It just felt wrong, and sounded rather fake. Perhaps it is technically better inside, but the speakers prevented it from being apparent. And it's interesting to note that the price of the F20 has crashed over the last month from about £630 to £480.

The Kawai will do me just fine. Smart looks, great sound, light enough to put in a cupboard. My test pilot, who plays a church organ every week, said the organ sound was very good, and I agree. Just a slight pain toggling through the 3 voice buttons. There's also a whole load of other clutter in there which I'll never need, and the amusingly named 'lessons' which just play music at you!