What would be the best piano for me?

[mas_oyama]

Well, first first of all, I will introduce myself!

So I'm Matt, I'm 24 years old, I live in Quebec, Canada, and I am beginning to learn piano a bit more seriously. We always had a piano at home, but I never really bothered learning to play until a year or two ago.

I've been learning by myself since I began to play, but I just decided it was time for me to actually take classes. I had my very first class on Tuesday. It really go from the very basics, and even tough I know most of the stuff we see, I still learned a lot, and I'm sure things will move pretty fast at first.

So. Now comes the big question: what would be the best piano for me to get? The piano we have at home is my father's piano (that he inherited from my grandmother, who used to play. We already had the piano when she was still alive, but anyway. it was her's). Now there is two MAJOR drawbacks with that piano. 1st: its a "real" piano. Which means that it does go off-tune, and needs to be tuned regularly... which we don't do because it would cost too much over the time. 2nd: Its not mine. I'm 24 years old, I will leave my parents house pretty soon, so if I don't get one for me soon, I won't have a piano anymore when I'll leave.

So here would be my criteria: It has to be a digital piano. I want it to sound good. I dont need 600 crappy sounds. I just need 1, 2 or 3 GOOD piano sounds. If I wanted to play violin, I would buy a violin. I want to play piano. lol. It should not be too expensive. My budget IS pretty limited, and even tough this would be a big limitations to the models available for me, it won't change the fact that my budget IS limited. It needs to be a 88 key, and lastly, I need pedals. And optionally, it would be cool if the actual piano looked good (I would like one that is actually part of a nice furniture like Clavinovas)

I went to a local shop today, and there is 2 models that I liked a lot. (well. 4, but the 3rd one was 7000$ and the fourth was a 44 000$ grand piano, so we'll just save these ones for another time lol). So the 2 models were the Yamaha Arius YDP-S31, and the other one was a Clavinova CLP 330.

The Arius was 900$, and the Clavinova was 1700$. I've included the pictures at the ends of the post. Now I really loved the sound of the Clavinova. I think it was awesome, but the price is kind of high for me. Again, I know that pianos ARE expensive, but there is nothing I can do about my small budget... The Arius was cool too, even tough the sound and the touch of it is not exactly as good as the Clavinova, and the piano itself does not look as good. The price is more within what I would be willing to pay... Even tough the Clavinova is really tempting.

So I wanted to know you opinions on these two models, as well as suggestions for other models. I want a very good quality/price ratio. So let me know what are your toughs about that!

Here are the pics:

Arius YDP-S31:


Clavinova CLP 330:

[jimbo320]

Hi Matt,
Welcome to the forum.
I'm a big fan of Yamaha and have played both models you mentioned. Understanding the difference in the action you mentioned I prefer the Arius between the two. But I'm not the one to please here, you are.
You also asked for some suggestions of other models. May I suggest you try a Arius V240 you might like that one. My first choice would be a CP5 or a P95 but those are a bit more bucks.
Look at this site. It's where I do most of my shopping. Good prices!
https://www.musiciansfriend.com/

Happy hunting....
Musically, Jimbo

 

[mas_oyama]

Thank you for the reply Jimbo.

Right noy I might be looking more for the Arius YDP-S31 because of the price. While the CLP-330 and the V240 are really looking superb, and while their sound may be a tad better than the YDP-S31, they are 2x the price. I would really love to get a CLP-330 because it sounds really good, and look very good, but the more I think about it, the more I realise it is outside my budget. I mean... I COULD get one... but at the same time it would not really be a good descision at this time of my life. If I am really serious in learning piano, I coul always choose to go get a bigger model in a couple/several years.

I really want the thing to be in a nice furniture. This is why I love the CLP-330 and your V240. I am also considering the Arius YDP-S31 for this reason, even though its not as good looking. I also considered a P95, but I would have to get the Arius furniture with it (I think you can buy it separately), plus the pedal set. The P95 alone was 1000$ if I remember right, with those add ups, it would go up to what... 1200? I would have to see if I'm willing to go for a P95 for 1200... because I would possibly be wanting to get a 330 instead. From 900 to 1600 I am leaning toward the 900$ option with the YDP... but from 1200 to 1600... I just might be tempted to go all-out on the Clavinova!

So yeah, basically, at this point, I'm kinda all mixed up... I know the logical solution for right now would be to get the YDP... but the CLP is really tempting. The thing is that I listen to my heart far too often when it comes to spending money... I should listen my head more. Especially for expenses of over a thousand bucks... I think I will have to really think through all of this before I decide to do a move. Anyway chances are I won't buy anything before a few months from now.

If anybody else have suggestions, feel free to share them!

[jimbo320]

If you're keeping your expenses down, go to the site I gave you and check out the YPD141...

[mas_oyama]

oh, looks good!

You would recomend this one over the Arius YDP-S31?

[jimbo320]

Yes. The YPD141 has more of a piano feel to it...

[mas_oyama]

Yes. The YPD141 has more of a piano feel to it...

Well, I went back to the local shop, and they don't have the 141. However, they may be able to order it, but they can't tell at the moment since I'm not ready to buy yet. And I don't want to buy it off the internet (the shipping will be crazy since I'm in Canada... the shipping is always like double to ship internationally, and on a big and heavy thing like a piano, even digital, they WILL rape me with the shipping cost).

Anyway, I'll see if I go for a D31 or a 330, they have a 3 months interest-free plan, so even the big 330 wouldn't be too bad.

I played on a 38 000$ grand piano too... I just freaking wish I could bring that puppy back home, that was like the best sound I ever heard... and it was me playing. I can't even imagine what would it be with a professional player. My skill levels seemed like 10 times better on that! lol.

[jimbo320]

I agree, grands do bring the best out of your playing. But try lugging one around....lol

[countrymath]

Run away from clavinovas.

[mas_oyama]

would you mind giving more info on that? Everybody tells me they're great, I have one guy that says the opposite, and all he say is "Run away from Clavinovas"...

Personal bad experience? you uncle's friend's sister's boyfriend's mother told you she didn't think they are good looking? Whats the problem with the Clavinovas?

Because when I actually went and try it, it sounded VERY good, felt pretty good too, and looked awesome as far as aesthetics goes.

[pianist1976]

would you mind giving more info on that? Everybody tells me they're great, I have one guy that says the opposite, and all he say is "Run away from Clavinovas"...

You have now two For me, in my very personal opinion, they are the most famous digital pianos in the world but they never convinced me. My biggest complain about clavinovas is their (in my opinion) weird touch, so unlike and unrealistic in comparison with a real piano. I think that Roland or even Casio are more "realistic" or, at least, not as far to the touch of a real piano.

But this is only my opinion. My advice for you is to try not only Clavinovas, try also other makes and then you decide. If after trying some models from different makes you still think that Clavinovas are the best for you, go ahead.

[mas_oyama]

Fair enough.

At least you give reasons! lol.

But for me, when I tried out the Clavinova I really enjoyed it. And its sexy as hell. I liked the touch of it too. Was it the same as a real piano? no. But did I find it confusing or awkward? not at all. So I'm still definitely considering it. Of course in the end it will depend on the budget... But I would really like getting the Clavinova(unless I win at the lottery and become able to afford that 38k$ Grand lol).

[pianist1976]

You like it, nothing else to speak. Good for you!

[countrymath]

Sorry, i was in a hurry when I wrote that.

Clavinovas are big, expensive, heavy and has a terrible action. i recommend to you to try a real grand piano before buying your digital. Go to somewhere that has a grand piano and try it. On my school, we have several Essex upright piano and a kawai grand. I was in love with my privia action, then I played on the Kawai .
And remember: Sound is replaceble with MIDI. Action's not.

[mas_oyama]

Sorry, i was in a hurry when I wrote that.

Clavinovas are big, expensive, heavy and has a terrible action. i recommend to you to try a real grand piano before buying your digital. Go to somewhere that has a grand piano and try it. On my school, we have several Essex upright piano and a kawai grand. I was in love with my privia action, then I played on the Kawai .
And remember: Sound is replaceble with MIDI. Action's not.

Well I played on a 40 000$ grand piano, and on 2-3 8000 - 15 000$ grands too the other day.

Like I said, it is true that the Clavinova don't feel exactly like a real one, but for me, it still felt quite good! Much better than most keyboards I tried anyway, including the YDP, along with other keyboards (some of which were a lot more expensive than the Clavinova).

So yeah, the touch may not be as good as a real piano, but its good enough for me. If the biggest downside for you was the touch... I guess that if I like the touch.. it would be a good piano for me!

[mas_oyama]

Well, I just noticed I messed up, I am NOT looking for a CLP-330, I am looking for a CLP-320! For some reasons I though it was the 330, but the one I tried, and the one I am looking for is the 320.

Although I love the goodies the 330 has that the 320 doesn't... I don't have the extra 550 bucks more it cost (I already don't have the money for the piano... so I won't make it worse by going for a bigger one! lol).

[countrymath]

You like it, nothing else to speak. Good for you!

[2]

[mas_oyama]

[2]

Yeah I know. Second type of cool, you can't beat that lol.

But I was still looking for advices and criticisms. You two game me some useful bad critisism, but I guess these drawbacks don't bether me too much.

I will have A LOT of trouble refraining from goin and get one tonight... Plus I just learned that my local shop has the one I wan't in stock right now... I really dig Mahogany... and its the rarest model around here... and they have one at the moment... If I wait it might get sold...

I wouldn't mind if it were another color, as they all look goergious... black ebony, cherry, rosewood... all of them look awesome. But I prefer the Mahogany one... I was aiming at goin there after March 9th... to give a good downpayment, and hopefully pay the rest before 3 months so I pay no interest... But I might go before March 9 lol. I already called to have the exact dimensions so I can prepare a spot for it lol.

[jimbo320]

Sounds like you've made up your mind. Cool! I got a friend who has a mahogany full grand which is absolutely breath taking....

[mas_oyama]

my room is reorganized to fit the piano!

I just have to go buy it. I really should wait longer to pack up the money... but I doubt I'll be able to wait much longer :S

[mas_oyama]

I have a small question I would need an answer fairly fast... I would be able to get a YDP-141 for around 1250$(new)

what is the difference between the YDP141 and the CLP-320? and considering the CLP-320 sells for 1600$... Would it be better to get a YDP141? He have a YDP161 too, I don'T know how much it goes for though. Probably around 1500 - 1600.

I would go buy it today... so if you guys could give me a quick answer, it would be much appreciated!

thanks!

[mas_oyama]

well. the 320 is home .

I just have to assemble it. I'll take a couple minutes though the box was effin heavy!

[jimbo320]

Ahhh good choice. I find the CPL action a little slow but that's me. The grand piano sound is awesome. I hope it brings you delight and aids you in becoming all you can be......

Musically, Jimbo