Casio GP400

[chessman]

    I've decided to buy Casio GP400, I've tested it first at the beginning of this year and I was instantly impressed with both sound and mostly keyboard. For those who don't know GP is the new series of hybrid pianos developed by Casio along with C.Bechstein. What they did together is keyboard(full wooden long keys) and Bechstein piano sound from D282 grand piano and the result is really good There are some people that reject them altogether because of lack of escapement in action so I'm gonna explain that thing a bit. You can see how the Casio action looks here: https://andertons.scdn2.secure.raxcdn.com/2/1/images/catalog/i/xl_110780-Hammer-Action---Bullet.JPG
Anyway they didn't want to do escapement because... it is basicaly not needed in digital piano, yes the simulation would be a bit better BUT the piano itself would need maintenance which is what most people avoid also it is really not big of the deal. While you play acoustic piano normally you don't even feel escapement that much. If the piano is well regulated you feel it mostly if you try to press the key the slowest possible way. Most importantly even without escapement feature this Casio action is still best from all I've tested(after Avant Grand) in terms of feel and responsiveness, Sometimes I can really forget it is digital.piano.
    As for sound there are 3 concert grand piano sounds in Casio GP: Berlin(Bechstein), Hamburg(Steinway), Vienna(Boesendorfer) I definitely liked Berlin and Hamburg most. In some recordings sound sometimes seems a bit flat/digital but via piano speakers it's really, really good. Especially Berlin grand has depth throughout whole piano range. You can listen to samples of all 3 sounds here: https://music.casio.com/en/products/digital_pianos/ghs/sound/
and in many videos on youtube if anyone becomes more interested.
    Resonances in GP pianos are very well done, in 400 and 500 models there are all wanted resonance features like open string resonance, aliquot resonance etc. Previously I had Roland HP605 which is basically the king of resonances in digital piano world but GP pianos hold out nicely and for me they win with their sound color which feels more natural overall.
    Those pianos also have a thing called "Concert Play" feature" which are basicaly symphonic recordings of a lot of easy arranged pieces for both piano and orchestra and we can play our piano part along with those recordings. It's pretty nice but don't expect full concertos(unfortunatelly).
    That's all I can think of for a short review. I'm gonna make video review in the upcoming weeks and some piano recordings later. For now I urge you to test those pianos yourself and ask me any questions you want