Which digital piano under £400

[Sheetmaself]

Okay so I have decided i would like to buy a digital piano for me and it may get used by the six year old daughter of my girlfriend.

I used to play the keyboard and am fairly musical so while not expecting great things i would like something half decent.

Looking at reviews I am currently between either the Casio cdp-s100 or the Korg B2.

I have an iPad and it appears as though the Korg can utilise this for extra piano sounds through the Korg App and they both have teaching aids.

Both are available for near enough the same price so over to you chaps to help me decide or throw me a curve ball.

Thanks for any advice.

[anonymous-user]

If you want something that feels more piano like then the Casio. I’ve heard great things about the action.

[Sheetmaself]

I have seen a blindfolded test where keyboards up to about £2k were tested and the casio came 2nd!

The only things stopping me from getting the Casio is the potential of the scope of the app for the Korg and mainly the fact then when playing the keyboard in the early 90’s I couldn’t stand the Casio sound or feel.

Edited by Sheetmaself on Tuesday 21st January 19:40

[sjg]

Yep, Andertons on YouTube have some great tests and recommendations for this sort of price range. Seems the major brands all do good digital pianos for the money - really depends which aspects are more important to you.

[Sheetmaself]

Piano sounds and feel are the most important to me to be honest.

Not interested in strings or the like if i was i would get a workstation, but I would like a good reproduction of a piano or three.

Basically i see myself trying to play more Elton John than classical music!

I would also like to keep in mind though that it would be good if my little girl could play it easily.

[mike9009]

My daughter has a Casio digital piano having come from a Casio keyboard. She was 7 when we first got it.

The main purpose was to aid her Grade 1 piano, so the feel would be the same as in the examination. We didn't have space for a real piano so the Casio was chosen, mainly based on her teacher's recommendation. Happily it worked really well and she is now going for Grade 3 at age 10.

I don't play but my missus and her mum both rate the Casio.

Mike

[SCEtoAUX]

Yamaha P45

Basic and brilliant. Look no further.

[bristolbaron]

My grandparents have had a Yamaha Clavinova for years, but just checked the price! I’d look at the P45 suggested though.

[Jammez]

My advice would be to pick one that you like the feel of the keys. Go try a few, even if the sounds aren't that amazing you 'd be amazed the quality of app based sounds/synths that you can then use via an ipad. Just use the keyboard to trigger the software.

[Sheetmaself]

I think i need to go and try some like you say, so far I have tried the casio but ideally want to try the Korg too, especially if i can find somewhere nearbyish that has both.

[Davie_GLA]

I've just started a very similar thread, so watching with interest.

I couldn't see past the Roland FP-30 which is just out of your price range but that Casio looks like it could steal the deal.

THe only thing that would be ace would be bluetooth connectivity for apps that can react to the key presses during lessons etc.

[Sheetmaself]

From what I’ve read the Casio can be connected via USB and then you can use it as a controller. I know its not quite as good but at least it will do it.

[rsbmw]

Go second hand, I got a couple of year old Casio celviano something or other for £400 just before xmas

[Sheetmaself]

I keep looking but there is nothing i fancy in a good condition. I am going to get this for a 40th birthday present to me but going to get a little early (birthday is June).

[Davie_GLA]

Sheetmaself said:

From what I’ve read the Casio can be connected via USB and then you can use it as a controller. I know its not quite as good but at least it will do it.

That would work i guess but would take up the one and only USB port on the piano, not a deal breaker as i can move things around to record.

the Celviano is a full on upright, i need something more portable

[Chicken Chaser]

Whilst I'm a fan of Anderson's TV and enjoy watching their blind tests, I'm going to suggest something they don't sell

Kawai ES110.

It's 88 keys, it's available from Gear4musix for £466 and it's the best portable digital Ive played. I was amazed it didn't cost more compared to the likes of the Casio or Yamahas. The internal speakers do a great job and there's a couple of good pianos and electric pianos on there.

The keyboard action is very good for a plastic Key bed, but then Kawai are renowned for that and is reflected in the fact that Nord use their Key bed on their flagship Grand.

I've been playing for 30 years so have a fairly good measure of them.

[davidd]

One of my clients is a piano specialist and does rental which might be an option.

https://www.millersmusic.co.uk/

[jackofall84]

Something I'd consider (FWIW)...look closely at the action and feel over sound, as long as it has MIDI out you can always upgrade with some good monitor speakers and a Virtual Instrument package at a later date if you feel your progressing well, something like Toontrack EZ keys has some amazing built in pianos and is only about £130.

[Sheetmaself]

Davie check this out.
Korg B2SP for a killer price in white £383!

https://www.rimmersmusic.co.uk/korg-b2sp-digital-p...

This may seal it for me as seems to be quite easy to detach the stand and pedal box.

Never bought from this place though or tried the B2 yet!

[Davie_GLA]

Sheetmaself said:

Davie check this out.
Korg B2SP for a killer price in white £383!

https://www.rimmersmusic.co.uk/korg-b2sp-digital-p...

This may seal it for me as seems to be quite easy to detach the stand and pedal box.

Never bought from this place though or tried the B2 yet!

Man, I have literally just bought the Roland fp-30 as it dipped to £488.

Edit - having checked that again I don’t think it’s as easy as you think. Also being able to retain resale value is important in case I don’t follow it through, again