Dear Graham,

I am delighted today as I took delivery for my brand new digital piano. I did not go for the Celviano or the Privia. I played them both and although I am sure they are good choices for some people, their affordable price was the only appeal to me. Harsh but fair I am afraid.

Therefore, after playing it again and enjoying the experience so much, I ordered my Roland HP203 from Thomann less than a week ago, and it's already set up in my living room. The finances are going to suffer, but it's definitely worth it at the end of the day.

I will need a couple of weeks to test it thoroughly, but I will send you my honest assessment. Let me thank you again for the time you took to answer my questions

Best regards,

David

Graham

I am not practicing at the moment - I have just had an operation on my hand. I am looking for something to help me learn when I retire. I would appreciate your report on the best instrument to practice on. I currently use a keyboard.

regards
Ian McGlone

Hi Ian

A keyboard is not the best instrument to learn on as the keys are much lighter than a piano and there is less notes. I recommend learning on a real piano or a good quality digital piano that offers heavy weighted, touch sensitive keys. Touch sensitive means that if you touch the key softly then you get a quite sound and if you hit it hard then you get a loud sound, pretty much like a real piano. This is very important to have.

Depending on your budget I recommend the Yamaha CLP220 at the top end, the Yamaha YDP131 at the middle end and the Casio PX110 at the bottom end. You can read more about them here: http://ukpianos.co.uk/digital-pianos.html

Regards,
Graham Howard

Hello,
 
My name is Mike and my wife would love to learn to play the piano.  I am looking at 2 different models of digital piano's and was hoping you might advise me as to which one is best.
 
The Roland RP-101 or the Yamaha YDP-223?  They are both priced approximately the same.
 
Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.

Hi Mike

I would give the Yamaha YDP223 the slight edge over the Roland.

I prefer the sound of the Yamaha. I think the YDP223 is no longer available in the UK though?

If you have trouble finding a seller of the YDP223 then the Roland RP101 is a good second choice.

You can read more about the RP101 here: http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/roland-rp101.html

Regards,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Hi,

I'm hoping you can help me!

I recently purchased a digital piano (a Hemingway DP501) and have noticed some of sounds on the grand piano sound are slightly sharp when played, but then correct themselves after a couple of seconds when held down.  Its not too much of a bother because it has a fantastic upright sound as well, but I wondered if you could suggest why this happens?

Thanks for any help,

Jeremy

Hi Jeremy

The Hemingway DP501 (Thomann's own brand) is a very basic beginner's piano and it sounds like the sampling is not very good.

There is nothing you can do about this. When you progess to a higher level you might want to consider buying a Yamaha or Roland digital piano. You pay more, but the quality is guaranteed and you get a far better sound and touch.

Regards,
Graham Howard

My 13 year old son has asked for a digital piano for Christmas and as a non-playing parent could I please ask for your advice/guidance.

He has passed his Grade 2 and is currently working towards Grade 3 exam.

Our budget is around £350 which I appreciate in piano terms isn't a great deal.

We have been looking at the following:

Casio PX700
Chase Digital C8826

Would it be possible for you to advise which would be the better option.  If you are of the opinion that there is a better digital around for the price we are looking to pay your comments would be appreciated.

Many thanks
Lynne Beeston

Hi Lynne

With a budget of £350 the Casio PX110 is really your
ONLY option....

... Besides, the PX700 has been discontinued and the
new model (PX720) is selling for around the £600+ mark.

I do not advise buying the Chase C8826 digital piano.

Chase digital pianos are only sold on eBay, by a company
called MayMusic. It looks like MayMusic import these pianos
direct from China.

I haven’t played the Chase digital piano, but my experience warns
me that a digital piano that has so many buttons, and is so cheap,
must have an awful sound and an even worse touch.

Don't go near it, is my advice.

Regards,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Dear Graham,

I have found the ukpianos website extremely useful as I am currently looking to purchase a digital piano. I have a strong background with accoustic pianos so the keyboard action is important. I have tried the Yamaha and Roland ranges but due to my budget, I have to settle for a Casio.

Now I have identified two Privia models (PX700 and 800) along with two Celviano AP45 and AP80. I have only tried the PX700 and found it acceptable. Fair enough the build is a bit flimsy but the sounds are not bad for the price and the keyboard surprisingly pleasant. What do you think the other more expensive models would offer and are they worth the extra cash? I don't mind how big the DP is, but am looking for the best compromise in the keyboard action/sound quality of grand piano and harpsichord vs the
price.

As I haven't played for several years, I intend to use the digital piano for practice as a short term solution. Eventually, I will get my accoustic shipped from abroad. I would appreciate a lot if you could give me an fair assessment as most sale assistants just slag the Casio models in order to sell me a Clavinova or a Roland HP!

Thanks very much in advance and keep up the excellent work on ukpianos, it's a great website.

David

Reply/ Hi David
Thank you for your kind comments about the ukpianos.co.uk website. If money was no object then a top of the range Yamaha would be 'very nice' - this is what the piano shops would love you to buy (They make a lot more money!) But being realistic about it, the Casio digital pianos are excellent value for money and I really think there is no need for you to look beyond the Casio AP45.

The AP80 is more expensive than the AP45 and the bulk of the extra cost is in the extra features, sounds and rhythms. Now on to the Privia pianos...
I don't like the Casio privia pianos and NEVER HAVE. I remember when Casio brought out their very first Privia (The PX100), in fact we used to sell them (reluctantly) in our North London piano shop.

I am not saying they are rubbish -- they fill a need for complete beginners on a very tight budget -- but in your situation I would steer clear of a Casio Privia -- even the top of the range PX800. The sound is just too weak and the touch is fake and you can really feel that.

Enough rambling...

My advice is to buy the Casio AP45.

Regards,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Further comments:

Hi Graham,

Thanks a lot for getting back to me and for your advice. I must correct a point I made: the PX700 I tried sounded kind of OK but I remember now finding the touch far too heavy to be realistic. The other DPs I tried were the Yamahas YDP131 (not impressed nor unimpressed) and CLP230 (sounds nice) and the Rolands HP103/107 and 203 (the 107 and 203 being my favourites for the keyboard action, sorry I realise you are keen on the Clavinovas!).

Until I considered my finances and other future purchases, I was initially going for the HP203 or 204 but they are a tad too pricey. Shame because they suit me perfectly. I think the Celviano AP45 should be enough to get back into playing (Played for 10 years then had to stop for several years due to studying/moving to the UK). My favourite pieces are the Waltzes/Nocturnes/Etudes from Chopin, as well as Schubert/Schumann/Mozart and Bach. Never got into jazz and ragtime but intend to widen my repertoire.

Eddie Moors currently have offers well below £600 for the AP80 including a stool and delivery, the AP45 is slightly more expensive, better polyphony perhaps? I will try to find a music shop close to Nottingham to test the AP45. I don't need the extra tunes, a satisfactory grand, jazz pianos and harpsichord will do for me so looking forward to trying the AP45.

I will let you know when I get delivery of my first digital piano.

Thanks ever so much,

David

I used to play the piano up to Grade 8 but for many years have not been able to have a piano since I live in a flat.  I am therefore wanting an electronic piano which sounds and plays like a piano-would love a baby grand but cannot entertain this in my present circumstances, so this piano sounds a good alternative.  I am not just a beginner.  Would this one be a good buy?  M Cantwell

Reply/ Hi Maureen

The Classenti digital piano has a very impressive sound and the touch feels really authentic.

I am sure you will love it. Let me know if you need more info.

Regards,
Graham Howard

I am thinking of buying the yamaha P70, but need to try it out. My budget is 400 UKP max. Can you recommend a good digital piano?
Thanks a lot, Catalin

Reply/ The Yamaha P70 is a good choice. You might also consider the YDP-131. It is over your budget but the increase in sound quality over the P70 is
WELL WORTH IT.

Check it out here:
http://www.ukpianos.co.uk/yamaha-ydp131.html

Regards,
Graham Howard

Hi there,
 
Question/ I have a Daewoo Digital Piano EX-ZPlus which I am looking at selling.  I  believe it to be about 8 years old and is in excellent condition as it has hardly been played, which is one of the reasons for selling it. 
 
However, I am unsure of it's value and cannot seem to find any sites that have the same piano to get an estimate.  I don't even know how much it was bought for.
 
Would you be able to assist or point me in the righ direction at least?  Once i have a bit more information, I will be looking at selling it on your website.
 
Many thanks in advance and look forward to your responce.
 
Sandra Nelson

Reply/ Hi Sandra
Daewoo digital pianos are not currently sold in the UK.

It is difficult to estimate how much to sell your piano for, but I would say to list it around £300-£400

Hi Graham,

I wonder if you could offer me any additional advice here - I am caught in a Yamaha vs Roland dilemma!
I practice a lot (daily) on my current old Yamaha clavinova (clp560). I play to about grade 6/7 level and play mainly jazz standards. My clavinova has quite a heavy touch. I am planning to get a portable stage piano and an acoustic piano (Yamaha P series) in the near future. As I play a lot late at night, the digital stage piano will still be heavily used for practicing. I would use mainly the piano sound.
I have looked closely at the Yamaha P140 and the new Roland Fp7. The new Roland appeared to tick many of the boxes.
Here are my views:

P140
• Pros - good keyboard action and sound
• Cons - much less spec than the Roland, I've also come across a few that have sticky keys so a question mark over build quality.

FP7
• Pros - much higher spec than the Yamaha (128 polyphony, string resonance), more educational features (session partner etc)
• Cons - the keyboard action is the main thing (see below)

I discounted other stage pianos: Cp33 (no speakers), CP300 (too heavy/expensive?)
Keyboard action:
The Fp7 keyboard (with the new progressive hammer action II keyboard) still felt lighter (or is it just different?) than the Yamaha. I'm concerned that if it is lighter, I will not develop my finger strength if I practice on lot on the fp7 compared to the Yamaha.
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance,
DaveO

Reply/ Hi David
You definitely have quite a dilemma! Here are my views:

The Yamaha P140 has an excellent touch (very close to the real
thing) but I find the sound a little thin and bright. I very much like the Roland FP7. It feels nice to play and the sound is also very good. If you are interested in the higher spec and the educational features then I would choose the Roland over the Yamaha.

Regards,
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

Further comments/

Hi Graham,
 
Many thanks for your advice.
 
Any further comment on the keyboard action of the Roland? I'm very concerned about prolonged practice on the Roland if the touch is too light. I would love to get the Roland if I felt the touch was acceptable - I need to carry out a few more tests.
 
Thanks,
 
David

Hi David
The touch of the Roland is only slightly lighter than the Yamaha. This shouldn't affect you too much long term. Practicing on any digital piano will always affect your touch when you are confronted with an acoustic piano, but the good news is that it's easy to adapt to an acoustic piano within a short time.

Regards,
Graham Howard

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