Travel Keyboard

[rex_stultorum]

Hello all - First time poster here, inquiring as to what would be the best keyboard for traveling.  I did a search in the forum and found some suggestions dating back to the early 2000s, but I thought I would ask in case there have been more recent developments.  By way of background - My wife and I are planning on living overseas for several months once the world returns to normal-ish.  I'd like to keep up my playing while away from home.  The ideal keyboard would be:

1)  88 keys, weighted (of course), and of a high enough quality to compare to at least a low-end real instrument like a spinet.  Higher quality would be nice but I don't want to spend more than, say, $1,500.00 USD;
2)  Capable of air travel.  I would think this would require a separate hard-shell case, but being able to schlep it around is a must.  Ideally it would, all together, be under 50 pounds.

Thanks for any suggestions,

Mike

[j_tour]

Hello all - First time poster here, inquiring as to what would be the best keyboard for traveling.  I did a search in the forum and found some suggestions dating back to the early 2000s, but I thought I would ask in case there have been more recent developments.  By way of background - My wife and I are planning on living overseas for several months once the world returns to normal-ish.  I'd like to keep up my playing while away from home.  The ideal keyboard would be:

1)  88 keys, weighted (of course), and of a high enough quality to compare to at least a low-end real instrument like a spinet.  Higher quality would be nice but I don't want to spend more than, say, $1,500.00 USD;
2)  Capable of air travel.  I would think this would require a separate hard-shell case, but being able to schlep it around is a must.  Ideally it would, all together, be under 50 pounds.

Thanks for any suggestions,

Mike

Right.  So 1500 USD for a flight case and an 88 key hammer action keyboard.  Plus, one presumes, some way of amplifying the sound, plus speakers, probably while using a sustain pedal, and having access to a power supply, as well as some place to put the keyboard while you play it.

Yeah, maybe.  I don't think so.  Are you going to build your own case from plywood?  Anvil flight cases are already going to put you over budget, with the keyboard.

You also have the keyboard stand, your pedals, cables, mixer/DI, spare cables, and so forth. 

No.  You're going to have to compromise somewhere.

I'd just pick up one of the Yamahas, like the P121, which is 73 keys, supposedly weighted keys.

You have to compromise a bit.  Pedal+cables, let's call it fifteen pounds in Imperial units.  Flight case holding a 73-88 key keyboard?  Twenty pounds minimum.  Keyboard with 88 keys and a good action?  Could be as low as 20 pounds Imperial weight, more likely around 40 pounds Imperial weight. 

No.  You want a stage slab piano, excluding all sound reinforcement (aka speakers) at 88 keys, weighted, with a flight case, for your weight and your price?  Can't be done.  It would be more reasonable to rent an acoustic piano, have it tuned, when you get there.

Or, you must compromise. 

 

[rex_stultorum]

Thanks for the reply.  I've never bought an electronic keyboard before so I confess ignorance as to cost and weight.  I'm not concerned with speakers because I imagine I would use headphones.  We'll be staying in apartments so I imagine I could find a suitable piece of furniture to put it on.  88 keys are a must since I play a lot of pieces that use those notes.

I can compromise on both cost and weight.  But before I do so, I'd like to make sure I get good bang for the buck/pound.  Do you have specific recommendations for cases or other keyboards?  P 121 is out as it only has 73 keys.

[quantum]

Hi and welcome to Pianostreet

Consider buying a keyboard when you arrive at your location.  It would save you from needing a flight case. 

Are you going to be moving around while overseas?

[lelle]

I would second the idea of buying a kayboard when you arrive. Considering how expensive a decent keyboard according to your specifications is, I would not want to entrust it to the luggage transporting routines of an airport.

[rex_stultorum]

Thanks for the input everyone.  To answer your question, we'll be staying in three cities, one month each city.  I was hoping to take the keyboard back home after the trip and keep it in my office.

[j_tour]

Thanks for the input everyone.  To answer your question, we'll be staying in three cities, one month each city.  I was hoping to take the keyboard back home after the trip and keep it in my office.

Well, with more information from you, I don't think it's impossible.

That is, you seem good with improvising a stand, a chair, and using headphones.

So that leaves 88 weighted keys, plus a really lightweight sustain pedal, most likely.  And headphones, keep in your carry on for the plane rides, I guess.

BUT, it's really a gamble if you want to use an plastic case, or a traditional Anvil-style "flight case" made of thick plywood.

You could put something together for under 1500 USD if it's just those two items (keyboard and case).

I don't know what the airline weight requirements are, and, of course, who knows what the baggage handlers will do to it, but it could be done.

I don't know what current weights and prices are for a very robust case and a decent stage piano (I'm sure any of the current Casios would be just fine....there are differences among the models, of course, but given that it might become smashed by an angered baggage handler, any model should be OK...you can probably get most of your money back selling it if you don't like it when you return).

Think 30, 40 pounds of weight for the keyboard, max.  Lowballing, that leaves you 20 pounds for the case...Anvil cases IIRC are heavier. 

I'd probably go as cheap as possible, trust in luck, and use a quality plastic case.  If you get one with wheels, there's a chance they would survive air travel, making it easier to transport on the ground.

//////////////////
Here's an 88-key plastic keyboard case with wheels, for $478 USD, at 32 pounds of weight.  (list price is $800 USD)

That leaves you $1000 USD for a keyboard, which is plenty.

However, you only have 18 pounds for the keyboard left over.

I see a "Roland GO:PIANO 88-key Music Creation" that is about $350 USD, and only about 16 pounds.  (I haven't seen or played it, but it's probably adequate, can run on batteries, and probably has at least an OK acoustic and Rhodes piano).

So, sure, you can do that.

[rex_stultorum]

That's very good information j_tour.  I think I'll compromise by getting a heavier, higher quality keyboard.  But your suggestions were certainly helpful.