| LearnJazzPiano.com archives: Too many piano choises | |
| zands -- 12/09/2004, 12:20:59 -- #9564 | |
| Hi guys, I really need some help on this one! Basically i need a cheap good piano. One with decent sustain, I personally like the notes to be very clear rather than slightly muffeld. I really need some help quick ! Alternativly i good by a decent electric piano. You're the experts ! What do i need ?? Thanks so much | |
| Jazz+ -- 12/09/2004, 13:19:30 -- #9568 | |
| A used Rhodes electric piano for between $300-500. | |
| zands -- 12/10/2004, 12:26:37 -- #9589 | |
| Yeah, but does it suit my needs ? | |
| Dr. Whack -- 12/10/2004, 12:40:29 -- #9592 | |
| Perhaps if you define "cheap" we could offer suggestions that would suit your needs:) There are some very nice digital alternatives to the Rhodes...I played a Fender Rhodes for years and I think it screwed up my chops by forcing me to play in a very akward and un-pianistic way...but Rhodes' are like real pianos in that each one is different...I had friends whose Rhodes' played a lot nicer than mine...and some worse... I still play some gigs on my Roland FP8...I bought and extra one for $200...unfortunately about 15 keys have broken on the "extra" so it's become a junkyard for parts...but the other one I have is still kicking and feels pretty good...sounds good too | |
| 7 -- 12/10/2004, 20:11:35 -- #9599 | |
| Yamaha has a 76 key board for under $300. I used to gig with it, until I got an 88 key controller. In that price range the Yamaha has a better piano sound than the Casio. If you want 88 keys you'll pay at least double. | |
| jamesajackson -- 12/10/2004, 21:51:23 -- #9602 | |
| A lot of people are scared off by the Casio name (read cheap consumer electronics-grade keyboards at K-mart), but the company's new PX-300 digital piano can be had on the net for $599. I purchased one in October for its portability (only 27 pounds or so), and have been impressed by its performance in relation to the price. The keys feel a little stiff at first, but the action frees up with use. The very similar PX-100 is basically the same board with fewer features and costs only $499. | |
| zands -- 12/11/2004, 07:18:57 -- #9606 | |
| Guys, These suggestions are real good, I have researched them all and they are all looking very good. But what about real pianos ? Or is there really not much difference ? Thanks | |
| 7 -- 12/11/2004, 08:47:13 -- #9607 | |
| Every home should have at least one real piano in it. | |
| Jazz+ -- 12/11/2004, 10:32:28 -- #9608 | |
| There are no cheap good real pianos. The cheap real pianos are pretty bad. | |
| CynBad -- 12/11/2004, 14:30:36 -- #9611 | |
| Real pianos - go to a store that sells used or rebuilt pianos. You will only know if you like one of them if you PLAY them. Look in the paper. Try to find something taller than a spinet. A console at least. You are looking for a bright sound -- Yamahas and Kawaii's usually have a bright sound. You're looking for something cheap, but we don't know how cheap. You will just have to go look at some pianos and play them. A real piano is nothing like an electric keyboard/piano. They aren't even the same instrument. And if you're a serious pianist, you're going to eventually want to practice on something that has an action like a grand piano. Jazz+ is right that real pianos cost far more than electronic ones. | |
| zands -- 12/12/2004, 00:41:23 -- #9620 | |
| Thanks guys, All this info is great ! What would be so bad about a cheap one. What should i look out for ? Thanks | |
| 7 -- 12/12/2004, 08:50:20 -- #9624 | |
| On an old upright, open the front and run your fingers across the top of the hammers. If they're all wobbly, don't buy it. Examine the hammers in the "middle C" section. If they're deeply grooved, don't buy it. Look at the pins in the pinboard, if they're rusty don't buy it. Most everything in a piano can be replaced or repaired. But I'm sure you'll prefer spending your time playing it than constant tinkering. | |
| signal11 -- 12/12/2004, 13:11:38 -- #9629 | |
| Wobby hammers, deep groves, rusty pins? Sounds like a typical bar piano ;-). | |
| CynBad -- 12/12/2004, 14:49:57 -- #9632 | |
| If a real piano is really cheap, it is probably falling apart, sounds terrible, and doesn't function properly. Your best bet would be to look in the paper for people selling their small pianos because their kid quit playing or moved up to a better piano. You might get a decent one for $1000. You still haven't mentioned your price range. If you buy a decent console piano new, it will be at least $3000. | |
| Copyright © 2005 by Scot Ranney. All rights reserved. | |
| Click Here for more information about performances and clinics. Click Here to sign up for Scot's music announcements. | |