help: Kawai CN33 or CLP330 or second-hand CLP340

[fran_z]

I found this place when surfing the internet to shop for a digital piano. I had had piano private lessons when I was 20, but haven't practiced much for years since then because I haven't settled down in a house so that I can buy a piano. All a sudden I realized that the modern digital piano is no longer a soft-key-action keyboard (I was against digital piano because I thought it would ruin my sense to the keys, so silly). I'm so excited that I could pick up piano again. I always think piano is the most beautiful musical instrument ever, though I play the flute far better than the piano.

I did some research and narrowed down to YDP223, CLP320 and CLP330. I would greatly appreciate it if you guys could give any advice...

These three digital pianos all have great tone and key action, similar to an acoustic one. They don't have a hundred of crappy voices, just a few which I really need: piano, harpsichord, string, choir (well CLP320 doesn't have choir). I have tried Korg, Casio, Williams and felt that they are not in the same tier with Yamaha, both tone and key action wise.

I can't compare YDP223 with CLP side by side because they are in different stores. It seems that YDP233 is kind of one of the tops in Arius line (although old and discontinued), and CLP320/330 are entry-level in Clavinova line. What would you prefer? A lower model in a decent line, or a higher model in a modest line?

My budget was $1000, but I had to raise it up to $1500 and be flexible, because I'll be using this piano for years. Here are the prices I got: YDP223 - $1350, CLP320 - $1395, CLP330 - $1887. There's no online store selling CLP so I can't compare prices. Do you think they are good prices?

I'm really intoxicated by the voice of choir. It's such a pity that CLP320 doesn't have it, and CLP330 will cost $500 more. I feel silly to pay $500 for the voice of choir, provided I can't feel the difference of tone and key action between 320 and 330, although 330 is supposed to have better touch coz it's GH3. To help me to make the decision, could anybody give me some more reasons that I should go for 330?

Thanks a bunch!

[pianist1976]

Don't constrain yourself to Yamaha. Try other makes. For my taste, the touch of Roland (or even Casio)  is far better than Clavinova's (always in my very personal opinion, I know there are many Clavinova's fans, I'm not trying to change their minds, just telling my opinion). Try a few, build your own opinion and decide.

[fran_z]

Thank you very much

I've actually tried at least 20 digital pianos from Casio, Kurzweil, Korg, Williams, and Roland, price ranging from $700 - $2000. I personally think that Yamaha beats them all, for the two things I care most: tone and touch. Well, Roland is probably underrated: I only tried one Roland FP-4. I'll try more Roland from another local dealer this Saturday.

[jimbo320]

Hi Fran,
If you're limited to $1000 before making your choice try a Yamaha P95. For the price is is quite amazing in my opinion. Of course I'm a big Yamaha fan. I really love the CP5 but that's quite a bit more.
https://keyboards-midi.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-P95-88-Key-Digital-Piano?sku=485990

Musically, Jimbo

[fran_z]

Many thanks jimbo. I was planning on $1000, but the more I tried, the more the budget is... I hope I can take it home ASAP so that I don't fall in love with some high-end ones, lol... It's only been a week of research and my budget doubled; my wallet surely won't like another week of research!

[jimbo320]

Ha ha ha,
I know the feeling well. The more you look the more you want.
The website I gave you is where I do most of my shopping. So far I've received everything in a timely manner and always been pleased. A friend of mine has a P95 and I think it's a good one. A quality digital that won't break the budget.....

Jimbo

[lhorwinkle]

The YDP223 came out 9 years ago. Truly ancient. A used YDP223 at a very low price might be attractive. If not, skip it.

The CLP320 is the low-end Clavinova model. It's nearly the same as the lower-priced YDP161. Unless you really like the cabinet on the CLP320, then get the YDP161 and save.

The CLP330 is a significantly better piano, and with a much nicer appearance. And it has the GH3 action, a step up from the other.

Be aware that the Arius YDP-series pianos are generally sold at music stores. The price is the price, and that's that.

But the higher-priced pianos (Yamaha Clavinovas, and the corresponding Roland and Kawai pianos) are only sold at piano dealers. For these, be aware that the prices are negotiable. The sticker price means nothing. The dealer's "SALE" price means nothing. You can get a much better price. So don't get sticker shock when comparing prices on the low-end goods vs. the high-end. The latter ones sell for less than the "tagged" price.

[fran_z]

Thanks a lot, jimbo and Ihorwinkle

I like musiciansfriend very much too; I always look at musiciansfriends and guitarcenter when searching for deals, but as Ihorwinkle said, when you're attracted to some high-end ones, there's no online deals

After thinking about the three options last night (off bed, on bed, and in sleep ), I decided to like CLP330. Ihorwinkle you really read my mind...

Our dealers don't even have a tag price; you need to ask, and then they would say, our list price is $3xxx, but the sale price now is $25xx, and I can even give you a discount to $22xx, or there's a rebate of $1xx, and then you would feel good and buy it. A little too good, right? Without the online dealers as reference, I really don't know what price would be a good price. Plus, there's only one local dealer for one specific model and you can't even find it in another music store. Their models don't overlap. It's monopoly...

I went to another dealer today to see Roland and Kawai. Well, I fell in love with Kawai CN33. The touch is superior! (well CA63 is even better with wood keys but it's too much over budget) Then I went back to Yamaha store to see CLP330 -- it's so painful that I can't compare them side by side! I feel that Kawai CN33 has better touch and CLP330 has better tone.

If anyone could tell me how good these prices are, I'll truly appreciate that. Now I have 3 options again; they are pretty much the same price for me, but which one is more a deal than the others? And which one would you choose?

Yamaha CLP330 for $1887,
a second-hand Yamaha CLP340 for $1887,
Kawai CN33 for $1837.

[thalbergmad]

I bought my CLP330 for about $2200, but I did buy from a dealer and not online. I like to play the actual piano I am going to buy and I did not want my piano turning up on some TNT truck where it had been kicked around for a week.

Also, I live in Rip Off England where prices are higher than other Countries.

I do not regret my choice of piano and I am completely satisfied. It does however seem to play a lot of wrong notes.

Personally, I would not be comfortable buying a piano online.

Thal

[fran_z]

Thanks very much Thal. Nice to know you are happy with the CLP330

I have no choice but to buy it locally. $2200 is actually the "sale" price that the dealer gave me. Then he called his boss and tried to lower it down to $1887...

What did you mean by "play a lot of wrong notes"? Does the CLP330 keep you from some techniques?

[thalbergmad]

It means I always look for excuses to cover my sloppy technique

The piano is perfect, but I am not.

Thal

[jimbo320]

Sure Thal,
Blame the piano.....

[fran_z]

lol, you are so cute.

[jimbo320]

If your willing to pay the price the CPL330 is the one.
At least new can be exchanged if something goes wrong....

[fran_z]

Just a quick update: I got Kawai CN33 today, happily.

It was a tough choice between CLP330 and CN33. I started to appreciate the mellow/warm/dark tone of Kawai, and CN33 really has the best touch. I don't know what will happen when CLP4 series comes out, which is soon, but as of now, Kawai is slightly better than Yamaha, IMHO.

The price was $1887 with a $50 mail-in rebate (so $1837 is the final). I used an out-of-state family member's address and avoided the tax. So the final price was 1837, with bench, cleaning kit, headphone, delivery included.

Thanks again to everyone who replied to this thread

[jimbo320]

Congrats. The only one to please is yourself so always go with what you want. Once you find something, quit looking so hard. There's always another choice about something out there...

[fran_z]

Thank you jimbo
I'm looking forward to playing it! But I have to wait another week for it to be delivered...

[jimbo320]

My digital is a P95 but the other keyboard player has a CP5.
When I play it I don't like going back to mine. Now I got to get me one. Hahaha

Speaking of stands, here's the one I have. After trying several I like this one the best.
https://accessories.musiciansfriend.com/product/On-Stage-Stands-Pro-Platform-Keyboard-Stand?sku=450384