Suggestions for digital pianos?

[jvizzlez]

I don't know much about shopping for keyboards/pianos, as I've only ever purchased a cheap 49-key one to practice with when I first started playing. It's very basic, but it got the job done as far as I was concerned. Now that I have several years of playing experience, I'd like to move up to a much better quality one. Obviously, I'd rather have a giant grand piano, but I'm afraid it wouldn't be allowed in my dorm room (half of the problem would be finding a way to drag it up the stairs, but I digress)...

That said, I'm looking for some guidelines, and possibly some recommendations for specific pianos. What brands are the best? Cheapest? Best AND cheapest? I want one with weighted keys, is touch sensitive, and preferably has midi capabilities. Is there anything else I should look for? I want, at least, 76 keys, but should I aim for higher?

Furthermore, what would be the price of it? I'm aiming for less than $500, but if that's not a possibility, I'd say 800 is my upper limit. I plan on saving up for a while, then buying it in the not-so-far future.

Thank you for your insight, pianostreet!

[richardb]

I'll suggest the Yamaha P105.  It's usually around $599 retail, but you might find it on sale somewhere. It's got 88 keys, weighted, touch sensitive, nice feel and nice sound, and it has midi.  I have an acoustic upright piano but recently bought a P105 mainly because I wanted to be able to play with headphones.  That way I can practice anytime day or night without disturbing my family.  I also like the other sounds (not too many, maybe 12 or 14, it's not a toy) When practicing the same passage over and over, it's sometimes fun to play it with the jazz organ, electric piano, or harpsichord sound.  It's also has a built in metronome.  It does come with a sustain pedal, but you might want a better one.  You could probably get the P105, together with a matching stand, a matching 3-pedal unit, and a bench for $800.  I'm very happy with it.

I spent a lot of time researching digital pianos on amazon and on the internet in general before deciding on this one. But I bought it at a local music store in town.

I don't think it's possible to get what you want for under $500.  But there are digital pianos comparable to the P105 in the $500-800 price range out there.  Check them out at a music store and see which ones feel and sound right to you.

[jvizzlez]

Thank you for your help I had already seen people promoting the P105 beforehand, and iirc, it's on sale right now for about 400-500, which would be right in my price range, but thanks to my godlike luck, I just so happen to not have the money with me atm, it's at my house while I'm up at my dorm... It should come up to me within a month or so, but by then the sale will probably be over. Without a job, it looks like it's back to swagbucks and menial neighborhood work for me... 

Otherwise, it sounds like the perfect match for me. Obviously, it's not going to be $5000 grand piano quality, but do you know to what degree the notes keep their pleasant sounds? I don't want the lowest of notes to sound like garbled, demonic chants, and I, god forbid, don't want the upper end sounding like the horrific screeches of a banshee.

[jimbo320]

I agree with that P105 choice.
I've played one and was quite pleased with the action. To be honest I'm rather bias about a Yamaha product.
I play a CP5 myself but that gets to be a little pricey...

[tombikadam]

Yamaha's keys are very low quality if you are a professional, but if you are an amateur, it doesn't matter.