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Topic: BEST portable performance piano?  (Read 3543 times)

Offline kimmayy

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BEST portable performance piano?
on: January 20, 2014, 04:21:48 PM
I perform at a lot of live events- during dinners and parties, and I desperately need a good portable performance piano..

These are the things I NEED:
-must be the closest/really close thing to feeling and sounding like a real piano
-88 weighted keys
-easy to carry around to performances and plug into their equipment
-pedals (I NEED to be able to sustain notes which I can't do at all right now with the portable keyboard I've been taking with me to events.)

thinking of getting this one: https://www.guitarcenter.com/Casio-Privia-PX-150-Digital-Piano-108131665-i2624842.gc

but more so this one, though I cant find the price on the site.. (I'm hoping to pay no more than around 400-500 dollars..) https://www.samsclub.com/sams/499-keyboard/prod10840621.ip

advice?

Offline wsmith75

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Re: BEST portable performance piano?
Reply #1 on: January 20, 2014, 08:33:38 PM
I have a Casio Privia PX 780. It's on a stand next to my Wurlitzer and I switch back and forth. It's easy to get off the stand and has good sound. You'll never get it to sound like an acoustic instrument, but it's the best I found.

Keys feel like the grand at my teachers studio and when I am getting ready for a performance in a grand I use the Casio to practice.

It has a lot of functions I don't use, but I got it based on the sound and key weight reviews.

Offline hfmadopter

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Re: BEST portable performance piano?
Reply #2 on: January 20, 2014, 08:58:14 PM
I have a Casio Privia PX 780.



You probably didn't read the part where the OP wants to spend between $400 and $500. I assume that's US dollars. I have no response personally. To find a worthy piano in that price range seems by quite a few young folks here to be a common focus.

I will say this, of those the OP listed the first is a controller not a piano ( no internal sound that I am aware of).
Depressing the pedal on an out of tune acoustic piano and playing does not result in tonal color control or add interest, it's called obnoxious.

Offline wsmith75

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Re: BEST portable performance piano?
Reply #3 on: January 20, 2014, 09:04:40 PM
I gave 399 for mine used.

Sorry for not including that. Found it on Craigslist.
 

Offline kimmayy

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Re: BEST portable performance piano?
Reply #4 on: January 21, 2014, 05:18:24 PM
I had the wrong first link - I just edited it.

Offline indianajo

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Re: BEST portable performance piano?
Reply #5 on: January 21, 2014, 05:42:50 PM
I'd buy a Baldwin 36" spinet. They go for about $200 and would fit into the trunk of my car.  They are 1. made of wood and 2. are really loud.  They weigh about 200 lb. 
They are not as fast as a Steinway grand, and don't have middle pedal last note down sustain,  but in all other ways they are very pleasant to play. 
My Hammond A100 weighs about the same and I can get it around on my 1200 lb 4 wheel dolly without much help. I winch it into the trunk with car tie straps using the hinges as suspend points and 2x8's to slide it up on its back.  If I did this a lot I'd buy an electric winch. 

Offline hfmadopter

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Re: BEST portable performance piano?
Reply #6 on: January 21, 2014, 10:28:35 PM
I had the wrong first link - I just edited it.

OK, that PX150 has no line out ports, except for headphone of which it has two of those.. It has USB out as well but if you are gigging and want to hook to other peoples sound systems you need an instrument with Balanced Stereo Line Out ports. Often this is a 1/4" port, designated TRS. You could also run into XLR out there someplace but you can get conversion cables for that from the 1/4" TRS to XLR. A piano more designated for stage use would be a better choice for you.. The least expensive of those that I know of is the Yamaha P105. It wouldn't be my first choice for what you want to do but it will fit your needs and they sound good, I've played one. The keys are weighted but I like a more firm feel than they offer personally.

Guitar Center should have one in stock. Kraft Music or Musicians Friend will for sure. Look for a discount coupon for this piano, they often come up at all these places, especially Musicians Friend and Guitar Center. Also plenty of You Tube videos out there on this.
Depressing the pedal on an out of tune acoustic piano and playing does not result in tonal color control or add interest, it's called obnoxious.
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