Good Starter Electric Piano/Keyboard

**jmattbassplaya** · #1 07-31-2010, 12:37 AM

Hey guys,

So as a few of you might know I've recently taken up piano, and I've honestly been having an absolute blast with it. I would like to continue playing and learning it up at school but the music building is about a 40 minute walk from my place. Because of this I'd like to get a keyboard that I can leave in my room/in the living room of my apartment, but I have no clue where to start or what to look for in a keyboard.

The only thing I know I need is for it to be polyphonic up to 6 notes and perhaps have an extension of sorts to hold sheet music. Past that, I have no clue what I'm looking for or what I might "need". I'd like to keep it (and I know this is very little to work with) around $400 or less. Feel free to suggest ones that would be in this range used as well.

Thanks!

ridgeback · #2 07-31-2010, 02:08 AM

ohhh...this is up there with the "what bass"kind of question..have tried quite a few and always end up back with yamaha.you might be able to find an old upright for free in a local news paper,.i find that using an Electric Piano feels nothing like the real thing unless you spend big money..piano is addictive all the same..2nd hand is your best bet but honestly mate if you are serious about the piano save your cash and buy something better up the range.cheap keyboards/pianos are just that cheap!!if your lucky you might find an old 2nd hand workstation like a korg o1w or similar and they are quite nice...sorry not of any help really..

MalcolmAmos · #3 07-31-2010, 07:30 AM

Yamaha E-403 five octave 61 key for $299 US. The stand which I doubt you will need - you can always find something to put it on - will cost another $50. You want the sustain pedal for another $20.

Yes you can get better, but, as a learn and practice piano in the dorm I think it will do what you want. O'h, in the dorm, ear phones are a must.

Mine has all kinds of bells and whistles I never get around to using.

Good luck and have fun.

MEKer · #4 07-31-2010, 08:13 AM

check out a Casio

**jmattbassplaya** · #5 07-31-2010, 09:50 AM

Well I am going to school about 6 hours away from home and I only have a little over 2 weeks to come up with money to buy something... so transportation size and cost matter a bit

We do have an upright piano at home which is what I'm learning on now, but it would be impossible to take up to school.

I might be able to swing $700 or $1,200, but I'll need sell off a combination of basses (which is ok, I need to downsize anyways). Any suggestions in the higher range? Also, is there any difference between a digital piano and a keyboard? It sounds to me like I would want weighted keys so that I can maintain the feel some.

**jmattbassplaya** · #6 07-31-2010, 09:56 AM

Well I've been looking at a few things so far and it seems everything in the 'cheap' range comes with a midi bank with presets of a lot of stuff I don't need. Church organ and a sawtooth is cool, but bongos and percussion? No thanks lol.

How about any recommendations on (what I'm guessing are digital pianos) that have just one or only a few tones, but have weighted keys, touch sensitive keys, and perhaps a more natural sound?

...and I guess a headphone jack

pasta4lnch · #7 07-31-2010, 10:03 AM

the yamaha one is fairly cheap feeling, but there are nicer yamaha's out there . . . not many kb's hold their resale so shop used. you'd be amazed at what you can find! look into maybe a kurzweil pc88 (if you want to buy a new kurzweil get it from nightsky sound. steve knows more about kurzweils than anyone! and he's a nice guy)

**jmattbassplaya** · #8 07-31-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pasta4lnch

the yamaha one is fairly cheap feeling, but there are nicer yamaha's out there . . . not many kb's hold their resale so shop used. you'd be amazed at what you can find! look into maybe a kurzweil pc88 (if you want to buy a new kurzweil get it from nightsky sound. steve knows more about kurzweils than anyone! and he's a nice guy)

Thanks for the tip

Like I said, I have no clue what's good on the market so I'm pretty desperate for help lol. I have only just glanced at my local CL, but most of what I've seen are either very bottom-end keyboards or uprights.

I did find two Casio's that look really nice though. The Privia PX-130 and the Privia PX-330. Any ideas on how those are? On paper they sound just about perfect for me - straight forward and to the point, but have high quality in the sound department.

pasta4lnch · #9 07-31-2010, 12:31 PM

i've never delt w/ casio's beyond their toys . . . the brands I know the best for piano-ish keys w/ not too many other bells and whistles are kurz, yamaha and korg. but all the synths I have I got because of the bells and whistles

.

also check out the nord electro - I have the rack version (dont know if the big version has weighted keys) and the piano is pretty good - the ep's and organs are the best, bar none and the user interface is the easiest on the planet!

MalcolmAmos · #10 07-31-2010, 03:32 PM

Once you have the "black box" bell and whistles are cheap to throw in. Don't let that throw you off. Go to a good music store and play till you find the one just right for you.

Stumbo · #11 08-01-2010, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MEKer

check out a Casio

I've had a cheap Casio for years. I've had no problems as of today. It also runs on a couple of D batteries (seems like for ever). It's been walked on by toddlers and still holds up. I use it to practice chords and such. I even used it for a last minute jam. It has a jazz organ preset that mimic a Leslie type sound. Line/Headphone output. Built in drum machine(presets). Sustain pedal. It's so basic it almost hurts to look it. Hey, it works!

If you get a Casio, you can always upgrade later. If it gets stolen, not much lost.

Here's one that might work for you for sale in your area:
http://memphis.craigslist.org/msg/1866882650.html

**bassybill** · #12 08-01-2010, 04:50 PM

Yamaha, Korg, Roland, Casio - any of the well known makes have some models with their own strengths. That's why they sell so many, I suppose.

What you need will depend a lot on what you want to learn, be that basic keyboard skills with stock sounds, for example, or programming some cool patches for yourself. From your post, it does sound like the former is more your bag. But whatever you decide, don't forget to check the possibilities of buying used. KB tech changes so fast, like all electronic gear, that it's possible to find some stuff for very little cash if you don't mind playing something that isn't bang up to date, but is still a great instrument.

If you have a serviceable computer, then a MIDI keyboard controller might be all you need as there's some great free or very cheap software instruments that you could use to get started - again, it all depends what you wish to learn.

There's quite a difference in feel between KBs, by the way, especially between sprung or weighted action types. I know some people just cannot get on with sprung keys, but I personally find some examples okay and am quite happy to play them, as they can get pretty close to the feel of a weighted action KB in a few cases (particularly, I've found, Yamahas).

Have fun!

Jeff 66 · #13 08-01-2010, 05:01 PM

I have an Alesis QS8.2 that I could be talked into selling. It is a synthesizer, but piano sounds are it's strong suit. 88 weighted, piano-action keys and a basic sustain pedal.

I'm not sure how the talkbass rules apply, so mods, if this post is a violation, please delete it, pronto!