Most realistic digital under 4000$?

[mikomasr]

Hello,

First, APOLOGIES for asking a question that will look like it's been asked thousands of times. I've been through most threads dealing with it on the forum and I haven't found the info I need - mostly because most people seem to have a tighter budget than me.

So my budget is around 4000$. I did 7 years of piano from age 7 to 14, and 15 years later, I'd like to start again with a piano teacher who strongly believes I should practice on an acoustic piano if I want to achieve good progress...which is simply not possible given that I live in an apartment.

So I'm looking for the most 'convincing' digital piano possible, knowing that I will probably be using it ONLY with my earphones, and that I don't care about gadgets; I only care about getting as close as possible to authentic playing.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

PS: After watching this video, I'm a bit worried... the piano she's picked costs over 11.000$... I hope there is a cheaper alternative that would be just as acceptable in terms of the feel (again, with headphones on in my case).

Thanks!

[outin]

Hello,

First, APOLOGIES for asking a question that will look like it's been asked thousands of times. I've been through most threads dealing with it on the forum and I haven't found the info I need - mostly because most people seem to have a tighter budget than me.

So my budget is around 4000$. I did 7 years of piano from age 7 to 14, and 15 years later, I'd like to start again with a piano teacher who strongly believes I should practice on an acoustic piano if I want to achieve good progress...which is simply not possible given that I live in an apartment.

So I'm looking for the most 'convincing' digital piano possible, knowing that I will probably be using it ONLY with my earphones, and that I don't care about gadgets; I only care about getting as close as possible to authentic playing.

Thanks in advance for your advice!

PS: After watching this video, I'm a bit worried... the piano she's picked costs over 11.000$... I hope there is a cheaper alternative that would be just as acceptable in terms of the feel (again, with headphones on in my case).

Your budget is totally reasonable for what you are expecting to get. I got one for about 2000 euros and it's quite ok for a practice instrument. With 11000 you could get an acoustic piano and just have the silent feature added. I'd say play the digitals within your price range and get the one that feels the best/most piano-like to play. The sound can be tweaked in so many ways anyway...

[mikomasr]

Thanks for your answer!

My problem is, it has been ages since I last touched a 'real' piano, so I can't go to a piano store and try what they have. I simply wouldn't be able to tell which one feels closest to an acoustic piano.

So I'm looking for advice from people who have solid experience with both types ideally, and who could tell me which digital piano can give me the practice that would be most beneficial in terms of playing classic music on an acoustic piano that I can't have at the moment.

I'd really like to avoid getting a piano that feels comfortable for me, only to realise two years later that it's crap and completely different and unrealistic in comparison with my teacher's piano, for example.

Thanks!

[outin]

I understand your problem. I bought my first piano with too litlle experience and have never felt it is the right instrument for me. When I got the digital I knew what I was looking for and think I got just what I expected.

But touch is a really personal issue. What I feel realistic and piano-like may not be it at all for someone else. Acoustics are very different also. In general I would look for something that feels responsive, not too light and not "flimsy" (can't think of a better word just now, something that doesn't feel solid enough under my fingers) as many of the cheap models seem to feel to me.

I have a Roland HP-506 which seems quite ok, never a substitute to an acoustic because the sound is digital, but feels much better to play than the slightly cheaper model I tried. My playing didn't deteriorate at all during over 2 weeks using only the digital. The touch can be somewhat adjusted, but I personally don't feel the effect is the same as having a heavier or lighter acoustic piano, it just changes the sound really. But I can do things with it that I can do on a grand, many of those I cannot do properly with my upright.

[nystul]

PS: After watching this video, I'm a bit worried... the piano she's picked costs over 11.000$... I hope there is a cheaper alternative that would be just as acceptable in terms of the feel (again, with headphones on in my case).

Thanks!

The main feature of the instrument she was drawn to is that it uses a slightly modified grand piano action.  There are cheaper Avant Grand models, but I don't think you could get one for $4000?  The digital pianos in your price range will have "hammers" for the proper sense of weight, but they don't actually work in the same way as a real piano.  So objectively the Avant Grand will feel more like a real piano than a regular digital piano.  That doesn't mean the others are garbage, though.  But they are all flawed to some degree.  I think if you get a Yamaha or Kawai in your price range, it ought to be a pretty nice instrument.

[jimbo320]

Have her try a Yamaha CP5 before making her choice...

[visitor]

imho kawai makes the best digi p's on the market for most uses.