Yamaha CLP-330 vs. CLP-340

[technobie]

Hi all,

I am about to make a decision to purchase a Yamaha CLP-3xx series piano.  I am pretty serious about the 330, but there are some features of the 340 that are very enticing!  The problem I have is the price difference between the two models....over $1,000!  First of all, does that sound right (330 = $2,299 vs. 340 = $3,400).  Are the faux-ivory keys, key-off and stereo sustain worth the extra $$?

From what I am seeing of prices in the UK, there appears to only be a $500 difference in price.  Is my dealer taking me for a ride?

Thanks for your help!

Chris

[chopinatic]

I would say it depends on what you want it for. I've have 2 clavinovas and in my experience there all good.
I dont think i would pay $1000 extra when the playability of them isnt that different. Unless you have plenty of money the either way its not a problem. Id think of what i could do with the $1000 saved!! Holiday? Books? lessons etc!!

id go with the 330. But thats just me

chopinatic

[technobie]

Thanks for the advice.  I'm going to go test them side-by-side and see if it is worth it.

[csharp_minor]

I say it depends on how much money you're willing to spend on it. I have a Clp 370 that has the features of the 340 plus some extra ones, I think the synthetic ivory keys are a nice extra but not essential unless you have really sweaty hands, as they absorb the moister from the hands to stop you from slipping. The key off feature is so subtle as is the stereo sustain so I doubt you would miss it much. The extra features are nice but won't make the world of difference.

Too be honest I wish I had an acoustic piano, the touch on Clps is not the same as real pianos, and you can't get that lovely crisp staccato sound on one, even if you hit the key hard; it still sounds dull.

Have fun with your piano shopping and hope you enjoy, they are very good for night time practice! 

  

[technobie]

Thanks csharp-minor!  I'm finding that many people have many different opinions.  Unfortunately with Yamaha, there are only a select few places that sell them and so I have to make the time to go out and test drive. 

I agree - acoustic would be the way to go, but as you say for night time playing and for my daughters to learn on, it sounds like a good choice.  When I am rich and famous, then I will probably invest in a much better acoustic.

[brucem]

I hope I'm not too late to help out ...

Your quoted prices are wrong:
CLP330 = $2,299
CLP340 = $3,400
Those might be list prices, but these should never sell for that much.

The CLP330 should go for $1800.

Expect to pay $2200 for the CLP340 wood finish, or $200 more for the polished ebony.

But you will never "see" these prices. You have to make an offer. In North America, these units are sold only at authorized piano dealers. These are not sold "off-the-shelf" at fixed prices like the lower-priced YDP-series. You must make an offer.

[oxy60]

Considering the dates on these posts you might have chosen one by now. Where I shop they have both and they sounded good. I can't afford nor do I have the space for those models which have their own case and larger amps. I'll be buying the least expensive 88 note Yamaha keyboard for about $700 (US).  Generally I practice with head phones so most of the time that little built in amp would not be used. I prefer the "grand 2" setting but even if that ends up sounding too "twanky" I have a mixing board to soften that hard edge.