Renting digital piano

[psaiko]

Hi

I am studying abroad for half a year, but dont want to stay away from practise that long. Is it possible to rent instruments at piano stores? If not, where can I go? How much would a first class digital cost for this time period?

Another question: I dont have any experience with digitals, can they imitate the real thing good enough for someone who has played for 11 years? Can I expect to get a very realistic touch?

Thanks

[sirpazhan]

Rentals are usually available at piano stores,, but this all depends on the store of course.... typically starting at $25 a month for a real used-up upright... it goes up from there..... if you're in the market of digital pianos,, I'd just suggest you get a second hand (or new if you have the money) from either online,, or music store.

Typically a good digital piano with realistic touch, will run you about $600-$2,200 for a new model,, and a few hundred less for a second hand unit..(price reflects digital piano keyboards, not digital pianos that look like actual upright pianos, those will cost much more)

example: New Roland (RD-300sx) will run you about $1,400.  One step higher (RD-700sx high-end digital) will be right around $2,000.  But you can find the first generation RD series keyboards from roland (RD-170) on ebay for around $350-$700.

look into makes like Roland, Korg, and Yamaha... they have a pretty strong line of digital pianos, most are even giggable (another term for being portable).

As far as your concern with the touch difference.... to be honest,, nothing today will duplicate the realistic touch of an acoustic piano,, however, most come close.. -- but to answer you question:
yes it should be good enough.

100th post.. 2 years and 18 days later...

[psaiko]

I`ve had a look at Rolands keyboards at their webpage. Their models seem to be:

FP-2
FP-4
FP-5
FP-7
RD-300SX
RD-700SX


I assume they are now in increasing order pricewise. Can you, or someone else, explain briefly the main differences between these models? Do they all have the same touch, but with different sound quality? Do any of them have realistic pedalling, that is not just on or off but also somewhere in between?

Also, what is the difference between digital pianos and digital keyboards? Just looks?

[gyzzzmo]

Just go to the local pianostore and try them out. Also try them out with a good headphone since you'll probably will be playing with them on too!
Trying out is the only way of figuring out if the piano is good enough for you.

Gyzzzmo