Having a weighting to the touch and a piano tone that you feel connected to is extremely important! It is also great to hear that it is preparing you better for performing on an acoustic pianos.
I am very far away from an expert but I followed your advice and bought a Roland fp90x.. Great fullfilment and I'd recommend this for any kind of player
That's awesome! The FP90X is a killer piano! We're glad that our videos were able to assist you in making the decision. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy your new FP90X! :)
Thanks for another highly watchable video. The advice seems to be more geared to acoustic pianos than digital pianos, though Stu doesn't always specify which he is talking about. Also, I hasten to point out that adults can be students too.
You're very welcome! That is a very excellent point. This video and the topics discussed don't just relate to parents shopping for their children of course. Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights! :)
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! While pianos can get quite expensive, a better performing instrument usually has the potential to pull better performance out of the player. :)
Also, consider how difficult it's going to be to get something up the stairs! I recently passed on a discounted CA59 because of concerns there. Probably would have been OK in the end, but I got an MP11SE instead (about half the weight). Probably for the best considering the easier navigation and editability as well as slightly better action, but that CA59 surely would have looked a little nicer!
The CA59 is a wonderful piano of course, but, for me, the MP11SE is a meaningful step up in terms of its action and overall feature offering. I love the intuitive layout of the MP11SE's control interface. You will have lots of fun with that amazing instrument! Enjoy! :)
That's interesting. I wonder what your application is. Home pianos are generally tricky to transport frequently, which kind of goes without saying, though moving home with one ain't so bad. Someone should make a portable piano which has its own detachable furniture style cabinet or shell. I guess the manufacturers want us to buy two digital pianos.
@@Zoco101 It would be interesting if they could do something like that, but pretty unlikely I suspect. Two pianos sounds good to me though. Someday. My applications are getting back into piano seriously and having a solid studio instrument. MP11SE is ideal for that.
The old Kawai CP67 I some times use (I don't own it) I think the stand can be removed? Or not? Someone please correct me if I'm rong? It does shake a bit. Must be the old MDF. Eddet I just chect it seems possible because there are metal brackets (or something like that) with screws that connects the piano part to the MDF stand🎹🎶
A very good example of used piano, Last month I helped an Australian parent won a 1985 Bechstein D282 (excellent condition) at £22,000 hammer price (+28.8% premium) at auction. Below the curve of depreciation rate (15% of the new D282 price). Same example applies to Bosendorfer and Steinway, maybe not Fazioli
@@MerriamPianos in the meantime, it's hard to believe a 1978 Bechstein C8 (great internal condition, ok outside just not black) got sold for £3300🥲😂. Last time a 1990s C8 went for £7500 with soundboard issue. On the other hand, many Academy model isn't doing well, a few 2016 A160 went for around 8000 this time, the stability of academy grand left questionable after being used for a decade, far worse than Bechstein's own Model B in late 70s (also usually go for £8000, but far superior tone).
Congrats on your new Kawai grand! Sometimes, a new instrument can transform into tons of inspiration and, consequently, tons of progress in your development! :)
For upright piano, I would go in that order based on the budget: Second hand Baldwin, Second hand Samick, Second hand Yamaha U3, New Zimmermann S4, Kawai K300, W.Hoffman P120, C.Bechstein A124, C.Bechstein Konzert 8. Schimmel is a good option too.
Thanks Stu for all your videos, I’ve seen most of them. I have been playing music for the past 60 years and my favorite instrument was the lute. After a fall accident and arm fracture I started to play piano and bought me a Casio PX 560. Is this the right choice for an elderly beginner?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! We're happy to hear that you have been enjoying Stu's videos. I'm very sorry to hear about the fall and arm accident. But, I'm glad to hear that you've been able to take up the piano. The Casio PX560 is certainly a solid choice for a beginner. Casio pianos have a great combination of tone, touch, and features. It should serve you very well! :)
I bought Roland FP-30x and pretty happy for everyday practice (me & my son) although soundwise, I love all of acoustic Kawai at my son's music school. I live in a small town where acoustic piano easily accessible are only Kawai & Yamaha. So I don't know how Steinway/Fazioli/Bechstein/PearlRiver/ChangHong was sound & feel like
Congrats on your FP30X! They are wonderful pianos with an excellent touch. It is difficult for any digital piano to compete with an acoustic in terms of tone, especially when it comes to a company like Kawai. Thanks so much for tuning in and happy playing! :)
You typed Kord instead of Korg! Otherwise not too shabby. I got a brand new Kawai GL10 for $10,000 delivered last year. It was a great deal and now I put a deposit on a GL30.
I’m not the best piano player for sure but I love pianos that sound and feel good under my fingers. From what I’ve heard so far the Bechstein L167 must be a great instrument (I love the blooming sound of the Bechstein pianos) but unfortunately I neither have the space to fit it in nor do I have enough money at the moment. So for practicing I’m currently using a Schimmel upright and for recording a KAWAI MP10 and Pianoteq. It’s not perfect but I think it’s okay for now.
A Schimmel upright and Kawai MP10 + Pianoteq combination are two wonderful piano setups that will give you a lot of versatility. Of course, the Bechstein L167 is a stunning instrument that offers arguably the best musical experience you will ever find from a baby grand piano. It really is an instrument that outperforms its size musically. :)
Thanks - yes, I can do a lot with my Schimmel upright and my Kawai MP10. And yes, most of us can’t have everything we want. I think in many cases the key is to appreciate what we already have. It’s not always easy but I think it’s worth it because it will make us happier in the long run. It’s often better to use what we have instead of waiting for something we’ll never have.
I've been playing a Casio PX-150 for 5 years and am looking at gigging (I am an adult). Since I have the one digital piano, it gets old packing it up every time I go out to play. I love the texture of Casio keys and the weight makes it easy to carry. I am a singer and so I accompany myself. So what would you suggest in the Casio line based on those parameters (unless you really believe another brand is what I need)?
Hi! Brent here! The Casio PXS series make for excellent gigging instruments given how lightweight they are. Plus, the texture and feel of the keys will be comparable to what you're used to. The PXS1100 and PXS3100 are excellent affordable options. :)
Thanks so much for the suggestion! We will add it to the list of potential candidates for upcoming video reviews and do our best to cover it for you. :)
Just curious - is resale value ever a factor for you/your clients? For example - for digital pianos, do Yamahas have a much better resale value vs other brands?
Resale value is a concern for some customers, but I would say that is usually more associated with acoustic pianos. It is fairly well-known that digital pianos will not retain their value nearly as well as acoustic pianos given the fact that new updated models with newer technology are released virtually every 3 to 4 years. With that said, trusted digital brands like Kawai, Yamaha, and Roland will definitely hold value better than lesser known brands in my experience.
Another suggestion I'd like to give if you're looking for a digital piano is: do you have a powerful PC at home? Sometimes when comparing pianos you feel like "Ok I like these 2 actions the same,but this one has a much better sound" finding yourself spending maybe an extra 300$ only for the sound quality. Well,with 200$ you can easily get a VST which will beat by a mile *any digital's built in sound* . If you're interested in playing for yourself with headphones,a VST is the way to go if you can run it imo. (Please avoid Yamaha's for a controller use if you can't try it with a laptop first,Idk about the new line up but to this day most of them have a very limited velocity range). I feel like a lot of people interested in digital pianos (expecially on the
Thanks for writing in with the insights! For customers that are technologically comfortable enough to use VST plugins, it is always an option worth consideration. With that said, if you go that route, having an action and sensor system that is able to capture the as much of the performance nuance is possible is definitely crucial. :)
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 understandable, that's the reason why I went for a dp instead of a controller. When I want a great sound I use the VST but it can be played anyway
Hey! Beginner pianist here - looking to purchase my first home digital piano. I've watched all your videos on this topic but am unable to decide which piano I should buy out of the follow: Yamaha YDP145, Kawai KDP120, Roland RP107 and Casio PX870. They all will cost me the same amount. So price aside, can i objectively eliminate/pick any of them for specific features aside from tone? For example, presence of half sustain, objectively better key action etc. Any advice would be extremely appreciated!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While any of these instruments on your list would be an excellent starting point for you, I would personally narrow it down to the KDP120 and RP107. While I personally favour the KDP120's warm, authentic piano tone over the RP107's piano tone, the PHA4 action featured on the RP107 is the heaviest action in this list and, in my opinion, the most authentic feeling. So, at the end of the day, the choice between those two would come down to what you prioritize more: tone or touch.
@@MerriamPianos Thanks Brent that's such useful advice! It's hard to not buy a Yamaha as a newbie when it's the same price, but I think I'm going to go with the Roland RP107 given its better touch! I will miss the better speakers on Kawai (and like you said, a warmer tone) but I think the Roland checks all the other boxes for me. Thanks a lot, excited to start my journey!
@@jaybansal2377if you haven't bought the RP107 yet IMO I'd choose between the YDP145 and KDP120 because though the PHA4 has let-off similation and triple sensors in terms of touch responce IMO it isn't as good as the GHS on the Yamaha . I find it hard to play softly on the PHA4 the notes if you're not carefull on your dynamics notes can play louder than expected. I tried the GHS on the P125 several times, and once on the YDP145, and dynamics are a lot beter than the PHA4🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 Thanks a lot- that's fair! I already pulled the trigger on the Roland (ended up getting a £150 discount). Honestly all 3 were very good options so I would've had buyer's remorse in all cases, just glad to get started on my journey!
Heyy! I am an Intermediate Pianist and I am need a high performance high quality digital piano since I mostly wont be at my home city most of the times. Should I consider the Nord Piano 5?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While I have quite a bit of experience with other Nord model, I have not had a chance to play the Nord Piano 5. With that said, the company certainly makes very high quality instruments that are worth consideration. I would also suggest taking a look at the Roland FP90X and the more economical Kawai ES920. These are also excellent, top-level portable digital pianos that offer a great musical experience! :)
Many of the Nord Piano 5 features are overkill if you're not into stage gigging with lots of keyboard effects. Myself, I'm uneasy about the non-graded action. Maybe consider buying a wood action luggable digital piano? I like Merriam's suggestions, but also suggest the Kawai MP11SE. The Kawai VPC1 is another great (highly pianistic) option if you're OK with hooking up to computer software such as VSL for all of your sounds. If you don't need portability/luggability, then there are many more good options in the home piano ranges.
Find a good local piano technician and let them guide your search for a good used piano. I acquired a very nice free 25 year old Baldwin studio piano this way. Support them by having them tune the piano regularly thereafter. This cost will be a fraction of a new piano price and you will be supporting a local piano person.
There are pianos on Freecycle every month where I live. People can't afford to get rid of them. Just budget for the van hire and a professional tuning job.
It is an option, but, sometimes, the pianos being offered for free are not viable instruments. Having a technician inspect them prior to paying for moving expenses, etc. may be worthwhile. A piano could look okay cosmetically, but it might have loose and compromised pins, which prohibit it from maintaining a tune.
what sold me on my P515 was the weighted keys, and Bösendorfer voice, and now when I play on my wife acoustic, my fingers don't get fatigue as often.
Having a weighting to the touch and a piano tone that you feel connected to is extremely important! It is also great to hear that it is preparing you better for performing on an acoustic pianos.
I am very far away from an expert but I followed your advice and bought a Roland fp90x.. Great fullfilment and I'd recommend this for any kind of player
That's awesome! The FP90X is a killer piano! We're glad that our videos were able to assist you in making the decision. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy your new FP90X! :)
@@MerriamPianos I am a medium advanced player and I am making Giant Steps very quick in such a short time with the action of the FP-90X
Thanks for another highly watchable video. The advice seems to be more geared to acoustic pianos than digital pianos, though Stu doesn't always specify which he is talking about. Also, I hasten to point out that adults can be students too.
You're very welcome! That is a very excellent point. This video and the topics discussed don't just relate to parents shopping for their children of course. Thanks for tuning in and sharing your insights! :)
I was referenced here with
I do not play good enough to spend that kind of money. Thanks Stu
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! While pianos can get quite expensive, a better performing instrument usually has the potential to pull better performance out of the player. :)
Just love all of your videos! Thank you so much for your Great Advices! 👍🏽😀
You're very welcome! Thanks for supporting our channel! We appreciate it. :)
Also, consider how difficult it's going to be to get something up the stairs! I recently passed on a discounted CA59 because of concerns there. Probably would have been OK in the end, but I got an MP11SE instead (about half the weight). Probably for the best considering the easier navigation and editability as well as slightly better action, but that CA59 surely would have looked a little nicer!
The CA59 is a wonderful piano of course, but, for me, the MP11SE is a meaningful step up in terms of its action and overall feature offering. I love the intuitive layout of the MP11SE's control interface. You will have lots of fun with that amazing instrument! Enjoy! :)
That's interesting. I wonder what your application is. Home pianos are generally tricky to transport frequently, which kind of goes without saying, though moving home with one ain't so bad. Someone should make a portable piano which has its own detachable furniture style cabinet or shell. I guess the manufacturers want us to buy two digital pianos.
@@Zoco101 It would be interesting if they could do something like that, but pretty unlikely I suspect.
Two pianos sounds good to me though. Someday.
My applications are getting back into piano seriously and having a solid studio instrument. MP11SE is ideal for that.
The old Kawai CP67 I some times use (I don't own it) I think the stand can be removed? Or not? Someone please correct me if I'm rong? It does shake a bit. Must be the old MDF.
Eddet I just chect it seems possible because there are metal brackets (or something like that) with screws that connects the piano part to the MDF stand🎹🎶
@@Zoco101I came across a Yamaha P125A on a home stand. Temting. I like that the action is a bit heavier than the RHC🎹🎶
A very good example of used piano, Last month I helped an Australian parent won a 1985 Bechstein D282 (excellent condition) at £22,000 hammer price (+28.8% premium) at auction. Below the curve of depreciation rate (15% of the new D282 price). Same example applies to Bosendorfer and Steinway, maybe not Fazioli
The Bechstein D282 is a remarkable piano! :)
Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing your insights. We appreciate it immensely!
@@MerriamPianos in the meantime, it's hard to believe a 1978 Bechstein C8 (great internal condition, ok outside just not black) got sold for £3300🥲😂. Last time a 1990s C8 went for £7500 with soundboard issue. On the other hand, many Academy model isn't doing well, a few 2016 A160 went for around 8000 this time, the stability of academy grand left questionable after being used for a decade, far worse than Bechstein's own Model B in late 70s (also usually go for £8000, but far superior tone).
I love your content Stu.
Thanks so much for supporting our channel! We're happy to hear that you've been enjoying Stu's videos! :)
I'm mediocre and purchased a new 6 foot grand kawai because you only live once.
💯😏
Congrats on your new Kawai grand! Sometimes, a new instrument can transform into tons of inspiration and, consequently, tons of progress in your development! :)
I envy you to be a rich person for personal art development...
For upright piano, I would go in that order based on the budget: Second hand Baldwin, Second hand Samick, Second hand Yamaha U3, New Zimmermann S4, Kawai K300, W.Hoffman P120, C.Bechstein A124, C.Bechstein Konzert 8. Schimmel is a good option too.
The C. Bechstein Concert 8 is certainly an instrument worthy being at the top of that list if budget permits. It is a stunning instrument! :)
Thanks Stu for all your videos, I’ve seen most of them. I have been playing music for the past 60 years and my favorite instrument was the lute. After a fall accident and arm fracture I started to play piano and bought me a Casio PX 560. Is this the right choice for an elderly beginner?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thanks for tuning in! We're happy to hear that you have been enjoying Stu's videos. I'm very sorry to hear about the fall and arm accident. But, I'm glad to hear that you've been able to take up the piano. The Casio PX560 is certainly a solid choice for a beginner. Casio pianos have a great combination of tone, touch, and features. It should serve you very well! :)
Congratulations on your purchase! I gigged one last year. It performed very well. So it's good for light professional use too, at the very least.
I bought Roland FP-30x and pretty happy for everyday practice (me & my son) although soundwise, I love all of acoustic Kawai at my son's music school. I live in a small town where acoustic piano easily accessible are only Kawai & Yamaha. So I don't know how Steinway/Fazioli/Bechstein/PearlRiver/ChangHong was sound & feel like
Congrats on your FP30X! They are wonderful pianos with an excellent touch. It is difficult for any digital piano to compete with an acoustic in terms of tone, especially when it comes to a company like Kawai. Thanks so much for tuning in and happy playing! :)
You typed Kord instead of Korg! Otherwise not too shabby. I got a brand new Kawai GL10 for $10,000 delivered last year. It was a great deal and now I put a deposit on a GL30.
Thanks for catching that! Apologies for the mistake! And congrats on your new GL30! It is a wonderful instrument. Enjoy it once it arrives! :)
I’m not the best piano player for sure but I love pianos that sound and feel good under my fingers. From what I’ve heard so far the Bechstein L167 must be a great instrument (I love the blooming sound of the Bechstein pianos) but unfortunately I neither have the space to fit it in nor do I have enough money at the moment. So for practicing I’m currently using a Schimmel upright and for recording a KAWAI MP10 and Pianoteq. It’s not perfect but I think it’s okay for now.
It really is a bummer when what you want out of a piano is so far out of budget it’s laughable - I feel your pain 😂
@@alexthompson6529 Thanks - I’m happy that I’m not the only one who has this problem! 😅
A Schimmel upright and Kawai MP10 + Pianoteq combination are two wonderful piano setups that will give you a lot of versatility. Of course, the Bechstein L167 is a stunning instrument that offers arguably the best musical experience you will ever find from a baby grand piano. It really is an instrument that outperforms its size musically. :)
Few of us can have absolutely everything we want. I think, however, that your existing combination should be excellent all the same. Congratulations!
Thanks - yes, I can do a lot with my Schimmel upright and my Kawai MP10. And yes, most of us can’t have everything we want. I think in many cases the key is to appreciate what we already have. It’s not always easy but I think it’s worth it because it will make us happier in the long run. It’s often better to use what we have instead of waiting for something we’ll never have.
I've been playing a Casio PX-150 for 5 years and am looking at gigging (I am an adult). Since I have the one digital piano, it gets old packing it up every time I go out to play. I love the texture of Casio keys and the weight makes it easy to carry. I am a singer and so I accompany myself. So what would you suggest in the Casio line based on those parameters (unless you really believe another brand is what I need)?
Hi! Brent here! The Casio PXS series make for excellent gigging instruments given how lightweight they are. Plus, the texture and feel of the keys will be comparable to what you're used to. The PXS1100 and PXS3100 are excellent affordable options. :)
How about a review on the new Yamaha P-S500??
Thanks so much for the suggestion! We will add it to the list of potential candidates for upcoming video reviews and do our best to cover it for you. :)
What grand do you have in the background there? I think grands definitely look the best by far :)
I believe it is a Schimmel C189, which is a gorgeous piano! ;)
@@MerriamPianos It definitely is! The C189 was a close second place in my testing but I ended up preferring the WH P206 ;)
Just curious - is resale value ever a factor for you/your clients? For example - for digital pianos, do Yamahas have a much better resale value vs other brands?
Resale value is a concern for some customers, but I would say that is usually more associated with acoustic pianos. It is fairly well-known that digital pianos will not retain their value nearly as well as acoustic pianos given the fact that new updated models with newer technology are released virtually every 3 to 4 years. With that said, trusted digital brands like Kawai, Yamaha, and Roland will definitely hold value better than lesser known brands in my experience.
@@MerriamPianos Interesting and makes sense! Thanks!
Another suggestion I'd like to give if you're looking for a digital piano is: do you have a powerful PC at home? Sometimes when comparing pianos you feel like "Ok I like these 2 actions the same,but this one has a much better sound" finding yourself spending maybe an extra 300$ only for the sound quality.
Well,with 200$ you can easily get a VST which will beat by a mile *any digital's built in sound* .
If you're interested in playing for yourself with headphones,a VST is the way to go if you can run it imo. (Please avoid Yamaha's for a controller use if you can't try it with a laptop first,Idk about the new line up but to this day most of them have a very limited velocity range).
I feel like a lot of people interested in digital pianos (expecially on the
Thanks for writing in with the insights! For customers that are technologically comfortable enough to use VST plugins, it is always an option worth consideration. With that said, if you go that route, having an action and sensor system that is able to capture the as much of the performance nuance is possible is definitely crucial. :)
Personaly I do not want to turn onn a computer or another device everytime I want to play so I get why others spend more on digitals🎹🎶
@@MerriamPianos true
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 understandable, that's the reason why I went for a dp instead of a controller. When I want a great sound I use the VST but it can be played anyway
Hey! Beginner pianist here - looking to purchase my first home digital piano. I've watched all your videos on this topic but am unable to decide which piano I should buy out of the follow: Yamaha YDP145, Kawai KDP120, Roland RP107 and Casio PX870. They all will cost me the same amount. So price aside, can i objectively eliminate/pick any of them for specific features aside from tone? For example, presence of half sustain, objectively better key action etc. Any advice would be extremely appreciated!
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While any of these instruments on your list would be an excellent starting point for you, I would personally narrow it down to the KDP120 and RP107. While I personally favour the KDP120's warm, authentic piano tone over the RP107's piano tone, the PHA4 action featured on the RP107 is the heaviest action in this list and, in my opinion, the most authentic feeling. So, at the end of the day, the choice between those two would come down to what you prioritize more: tone or touch.
@@MerriamPianos Thanks Brent that's such useful advice! It's hard to not buy a Yamaha as a newbie when it's the same price, but I think I'm going to go with the Roland RP107 given its better touch! I will miss the better speakers on Kawai (and like you said, a warmer tone) but I think the Roland checks all the other boxes for me. Thanks a lot, excited to start my journey!
@@jaybansal2377if you haven't bought the RP107 yet IMO I'd choose between the YDP145 and KDP120 because though the PHA4 has let-off similation and triple sensors in terms of touch responce IMO it isn't as good as the GHS on the Yamaha . I find it hard to play softly on the PHA4 the notes if you're not carefull on your dynamics notes can play louder than expected. I tried the GHS on the P125 several times, and once on the YDP145, and dynamics are a lot beter than the PHA4🎹🎶
@@MERCEDES-BENZS600GUARD_V12 Thanks a lot- that's fair! I already pulled the trigger on the Roland (ended up getting a £150 discount). Honestly all 3 were very good options so I would've had buyer's remorse in all cases, just glad to get started on my journey!
@@jaybansal2377 you're welcome! Injoy🎹🎶
Heyy! I am an Intermediate Pianist and I am need a high performance high quality digital piano since I mostly wont be at my home city most of the times. Should I consider the Nord Piano 5?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! While I have quite a bit of experience with other Nord model, I have not had a chance to play the Nord Piano 5. With that said, the company certainly makes very high quality instruments that are worth consideration. I would also suggest taking a look at the Roland FP90X and the more economical Kawai ES920. These are also excellent, top-level portable digital pianos that offer a great musical experience! :)
Many of the Nord Piano 5 features are overkill if you're not into stage gigging with lots of keyboard effects. Myself, I'm uneasy about the non-graded action. Maybe consider buying a wood action luggable digital piano?
I like Merriam's suggestions, but also suggest the Kawai MP11SE. The Kawai VPC1 is another great (highly pianistic) option if you're OK with hooking up to computer software such as VSL for all of your sounds. If you don't need portability/luggability, then there are many more good options in the home piano ranges.
Find a good local piano technician and let them guide your search for a good used piano. I acquired a very nice free 25 year old Baldwin studio piano this way. Support them by having them tune the piano regularly thereafter. This cost will be a fraction of a new piano price and you will be supporting a local piano person.
It is a great tip if you can find a helpful technician willing to offer this service. Thanks so much for taking the time to tune in and write in! :)
😊🙏🏼
Thanks for tuning in! :)
There are pianos on Freecycle every month where I live. People can't afford to get rid of them. Just budget for the van hire and a professional tuning job.
It is an option, but, sometimes, the pianos being offered for free are not viable instruments. Having a technician inspect them prior to paying for moving expenses, etc. may be worthwhile. A piano could look okay cosmetically, but it might have loose and compromised pins, which prohibit it from maintaining a tune.
Did i ask?
Perhaps not. But, no one forced you to tune into the video either.
@@MerriamPianos sorry i was in a bad mood