Yet another "what should I buy" topic

[pharmaplys]

I (and my wife) wants to start playing the piano - but we don't have any

We want to have a digital one - really like the sound of it and the fact that they don't need tuning and maintenance as much as the 'real ones'.
On top of that's it's easier to play the a digital piano in one part of the house while watching TV or working somewhere else in the house.

We haven't narrowed it a lot down - but basically the question is: do we by a new low-range one or a used/odl mid-range one?

The main things we've seen and considered is a used Yamaha CLP-840 or a new Yamaha P-35...but other low-range new ones could be considered...used ones might be a bit more difficult as I'm limited to the danish classifieds...

[sirpazhan]

well, I think they both use the same technology for the sound and action. I'd say about 98%,, either way, you wouldn't know the difference, and I wouldn't let it alter my buying decision. only reason the p35 is lower end is because it doesn't come with the built in stand, pedal..So its not necessarily a low end, the internals are very similar.  

if the clp-840 is in good condition, and relatively the same price.. I'd go with that.. unless you have room issues and want to store it away when guests come or move it around the house,, in that case go with the p35.    

[hfmadopter]

If you save up you could move from the P35 to the P105 ( find a sale the P105 is about $100US more than the P35 when on sale). The P105 is substantially more  instrument than the P35, it has way more polyphony for one thing and Yamaha's latest sound engine. They both have built in speakers but the P105 can be hooked to additional speakers, like an amp or studio monitors where the P35 can not ( except through the headphone port). The P105 has line out ports. It's not really all that much more money.

Either choice requires a stand.

I'm not a fan of used digital anything, so I will reserve comment about your used piano option.

[hfmadopter]

The P35 doesn't have speakers, and a stand or a pedal .. so with that purchase, you'd need those things to get it going.  

No stand but the spec sheet lists 2x6 W speakers and sustain switch ( which is really not the same as full pedal capability). 6 watt speakers isn't saying much but it is something.

[pharmaplys]

p35...doesn't come with the built in stand, pedal..

Well in this particular case the P-35 actually does come with a pedal and an L85 stand

@hfmadopter: I wouldn't say that I can't find the additional money...but I sure won't find the money to buy a P100 (in Denmark it'd be about 45% on top of the price).
I could, however, bring a P95 (used) in the mix
...and apart from that I've just found a Korg SP-170S (new) at approx. the same price - is that worth more (it's adverted as having a higher rrp)? Or should I stay with my first instincts of going Yamaha?

[hfmadopter]

Well in this particular case the P-35 actually does come with a pedal and an L85 stand

@hfmadopter: I wouldn't say that I can't find the additional money...but I sure won't find the money to buy a P100 (in Denmark it'd be about 45% on top of the price).
I could, however, bring a P95 (used) in the mix
...and apart from that I've just found a Korg SP-170S (new) at approx. the same price - is that worth more (it's adverted as having a higher rrp)? Or should I stay with my first instincts of going Yamaha?

The SP 170 is older technology but a sound instrument. I used to suggest that one for people wanting in on the low end till the P105 came out. In fact, my daughter owns the SP 170 with stand, likes it very much. Not saying you will ! The Sp170 and maybe the P85 or P95 are similar in level.

Edit:

Instinct is a good thing !

[hfmadopter]

This blog explains the differences better than I can in a forum posting. I like his reviews, be sure to look up his P105 and Sp170S reviews as well if you go to his site : https://azpianonews.blogspot.com/2012/10/review-yamaha-p35-casio-cdp120-digital.html