Which piano?

[samj99]

I'm looking to buy my first digital piano and I just don't know which to go for. I've been advised my my piano teacher to only buy Yamaha, Roland or Casio, but it seems to buy new I could only afford the most basic models. He also advised buying a Yamaha CLP 350, but i don't like the idea of buying a piano that old, surely a new piano from a cheaper brand like gear 4 Music would be preferable to a 20 year old yamaha? I found this one that i love the look of, and it's way cheaper than the cheapest yamaha.
https://www.gear4music.com/Keyboards-and-Pianos/DP60-Digital-Piano-by-Gear4music-and-Accessory-Pack/GXZ
I would really appreciate any advice anyone can give me.

[jimbo320]

Well, you got 14 days to try it out. Just remember you do get what you pay for.
The Yamaha CLP would be a way better choice...

[samj99]

Thanks for your reply, would the clp really be better even though it's very old? Do you mean better in terms of sound, or that it would be better made? I have also seen a 5 yr old Roland HP 102 e ,would that be a better choice than the yamaha as it's newer, or do even the old Yamahas trump all others?

[jimbo320]

IMHO the CLP trumps. I am a big fan of Yamaha because after trying many different types of DP's and keyboards I have found Yamaha to have the best all around quality and sound. It's not how old a instrument is that matters a whole lot, except for technology, the real factor is how well they're taken care of...

[roseamelia]

Yamaha's are good digital piano's. You should get one.

[samj99]

Thanks I have decided to go with Yamaha, now just have to figure out whether to buy a cheap old one or get a new one on finance 

[jimbo320]

If it was me I'd go for what I could easily afford. If buying the new one won't be a struggle then go for it. Like most instruments, newer will usually be better. Like I said though, there will probably be very little if not no difference. The important thing is you're getting one....

[roseamelia]

Well don't go for an "old" one, you could get a middle aged Yamaha but an old one wouldn't be to good.Cause there key might be stuck and the sound might not work so good it'd be best if you get a new one or one that's not that new.

[john90]

As a beginner I would avoid finance. A working used Yamaha digital can go on almost forever. Don't pay too much, and don't worry about sound quality as headphones externals speakers on just about every Yamaha are OK. Worry more about what it feels like, do the legs come off easily, etc. A Midi interface and PC, will get your Yamaha more flexible sound than a new Yamaha, but you don't need that, it is all a distraction from learning to play. I have never owned a Yamaha, but have an old Roland I bought s/h. I would say you need a minimum level of build quality, and Midi, nothing more. Yamaha of any age should do. A Korg or Roland used is also OK. I would say pay no more than 2/3 the price of the new gear4music in your link, ideally under half.

[lostprin36]

Yeah, its definitely a good piece. You can certainly use this.....

[lhorwinkle]

I own a Clavinova, but today if I were buying I'd get a Kawai.
Better keyboard action, better sound.
Much better.

For a number of years, Kawai has been working to improve their pianos.
Meanwhile, all Yamaha seems to do is invent new cute marketing terminology for their pianos.

Today's Kawai is much better than the ones from five or ten years ago.
Today's Yamaha is nearly identical to what they sold years ago.