Best keyboard upgrade for a semi-beginner ?

[kingfish]

Hi, I have been playing a inexpensive electronic keyboard
for a while, and now i want to buy a better one.
A few questions please.

1. I don't care about all the bells and whistles that most keyboards
    have, just one with a few sounds. A good acoustic piano sound is the most
    important one.   

2. Should i buy one with 88 keys that has the simulated touch of a real piano
     as well as the peddle attachments?

3. Now for the most important question,  is it possible to
  buy a keyboard with these features and any other features that you guys think
   are important for less than $400?

  THANX for your help ahead of time.
   

[usahockey]

A good acoustic piano sound is the most
    important one.

So why not upgrade to a real acoustic? 

[quantum]

If it is piano (as opposed to electric keyboard) that you want to be learning, best thing would be to move to an acoustic piano.  You will develop a finer sense of touch with one.  There are some things that a digital just cannot do. 

If such is not feasible at this time, a digital piano with 88 keys and weighted touch would be desirable. 

[gnuboi]

For $400 or $500 you can buy a used acoustic in decent condition.  At worst, you should expect a tuning but no repairs.  Have you tried such pianos and compared them to your (perfect pitch all the time) keyboard?  If the ones available now in your area are all in very bad condition, just keep waiting.  There are so many old uprights, one in good condition will eventually appear.

[usahockey]

Yep, there are lots of used uprights in the $500 range popping up on craigslist all the time.  Some are junk, but many are in great condition and a good buy.

I got my 1950s Baldwin baby grand (5'2" M) from craigslist for $2000.  It's a beautiful mahogany cabinet with some scratches and other imperfections, but it was hardly played during its life, produces a great tone, and has original ivory keys in terrific condition.  This was my (huge) step up from a low-end Yamaha digital piano, and only wound up costing about 3x as much, including tuning and moving.

[oxy60]

For those who may not know Craigslist is very popular in the USA. Some folks on this board may not be able to look at or enjoy the benefits of advertisements. We ran into a spinet in excellent condition, holding a tuning after several years, at a bargain price. We actually were responding to a garage sale ad!

Good luck but if an acoustic won't fit in your house there are some terrific digital ones with 88 keys.

[kingfish]

THANX everyone for the advice.
At this time i want to stay with an electronic keyboard for various
reasons.
I have come across a couple of keyboards in my price range,
one a Casio, the other a Yamaha.
They both have 88 keys weighted and peddle plug-in options.

Has anyone had some experience with either brand as far as their electronic
units go?

It's kind of strange that when i hear the name Casio, i think of that
part in Trains, Planes, and Automobiles where John Candy takes off
his watch to try to trade it for a room, and says "it's a Casio" 
Anyway, can you share your thoughts on the two brands or perhaps
recommend some others?

[usahockey]

I think the Yamahas are generally better than Casio.  The Clavinovas are very good, but if you are looking at keyboards/DPs that take plug-in pedals, I'm guessing your price range is lower than that.  What is your price range?  A slightly used/cosmetic defect Yamaha YDP series with graded hammer effect would not be a bad digital piano, and could be had for around $1k or less...

[oxy60]

I paid $700 for my Yamaha at Guitar Center. Remember the best sound will come with a good pair of ear phones. However the "stock" sound was much improved when I put a solid wood panel between the keyboard and my "X" stand. The original reason was not to improve the "stock" sound but to compensate for the uneven base of the keyboard. The panel also doubles as a shelf for earphones and sheet music.

[fnkyazn]

As a word of advice, I'd recommend that you try out each of these electric pianos that you are considering, before you purchase them. 

Also, be careful about how they advertise "weighted" keys.  Just because they're advertised as weighted doesn't mean they're anything like the weight of an acoustic piano's keys.  I've tried a "weighted" Yamaha electric piano and the action is virtually feather-weight which is not ideal if you're looking to pursue the instrument, as touch and dynamic control are essential in piano music.

If you're absolutely set on an electric piano, I'd recommend either Roland (being my number one recommendation) or Yamaha.  Higher-end Yamaha keyboards (which, depending on the model can easily vary from 1000-3000 dollars) have decently weighted keys, and will be adequate.  Personally, I find that Roland does a better job of weighting keys, but their is a premium for this.

Ordering electric keyboards is generally not my things (because you don't get to try them beforehand), but if you have a tight budget, https://www.musiciansfriend.com/ has great deals keyboards.

Fnkyazn