Any keyboard suggestions???

Everett Cox · Post by **Everett Cox** » 16 Jun 2001 12:23 pm

I'd like to get one for my 99+ Mom. She's pretty good on piano/organ but I want something reasonably portable and musically flexible. We know nothing about the various brands/models/features.

We want a full set of keys with the feel of a standard piano. The unit must have a good piano sound and, at least, a few other good voicings as well. It must be relatively easy to set up (program or whatever) and not cost more than an arm and leg. We would prefer something with decent speakers and amp included but could live with using one of my steel combo amps.

Any info will be appreciated. --Everett

Ken Lang · Post by **Ken Lang** » 16 Jun 2001 4:55 pm

While you may get opinions here, the only way to get informed is to visit a music store or three. Seeing and hearing live is the only way to fly. Be ready for sticker shock, although there are lots of older keyboards that sound just fine. You may be able to find something used that will do. Still a visit to the store is the first step. Good luck. Ken

Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 16 Jun 2001 7:06 pm

Check out Musicians Friend site, they got tons of that stuff. Hope it helps, but as the man said, nothing like test driving a piano----or any other instrument for that matter.

Larry Clark · Post by **Larry Clark** » 17 Jun 2001 7:43 am

Check out the Kurzweil SP series keyboards.

John Steele (deceased) · Post by **John Steele (deceased)** » 17 Jun 2001 6:37 pm

I use a Kurzwiel too, and I like it.
Re: amps and speakers: I don't think you will be happy running a keyboard through an amp voiced for steel. They just don't have the frequency range you need.
Another somewhat abstract thought: If a person is a "piano player", often playing a keyboard leaves them cold. Aside from weighted keys, etc., one of the reasons I have found is because of a keyboard's completely inert nature. A piano pushes back at you... and you feel the resistance. A keyboard does not. For this reason, I have found the keyboards with onboard speakers better for feeling the resistance/vibes back through your fingertips. Strange but true.
-John

Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 17 Jun 2001 8:23 pm

Check out Musicians Friend site, they got weighted keys, weighted hammer action, volcity sensitivity, etc, any thing you would want. This months catalog if FULL of keyboards and piano stuff. Check em out---I think there is a .com after that. Any thing over 199. is free shipping for what that is worth.

Joseph Barcus · Post by **Joseph Barcus** » 18 Jun 2001 5:05 pm

yamaha s-80 around 1500.00 but well worth the price

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carter single 10

Larry Jamieson · Post by **Larry Jamieson** » 19 Jun 2001 6:33 pm

If you get into weighted keys and real piano action, you get into weight and expense. If you want a really nice, portable piano sounding keyboard that will do plenty of other things too, try the Yamaha 76 key portable at your local music store. Truly nice piano sound, plenty of other sounds, soft touch that is touch sensitive, built in speakers making it portable, and I bought one at the Music and Arts Center, new in Dale City VA for $300.

Everett Cox · Post by **Everett Cox** » 23 Jun 2001 8:48 am

Thanks, everyone, for the help. I checked out www.harmonycentral.com to easily find the web sites of various keyboard makers. Then checked those web sites for models and spec's (especially the ones suggested by you folks). Narrowed the possibilities to about a half-dozen and went back to harmonycentral to read user reviews.

Found that we have a Sam Ash music store about 40 miles away and went there. They seem to have decent prices, a very good selection, and great sales people. I would certainly recommend them (at least the Columbus, Ohio store) to anyone.

Wound up getting a Yamaha P80 keyboard for Mom. Full-size 88 key, weighted action, prety good piano sound(s), a few other good voices, and VERY easy to setup and use. Got a Roland KC100 amp to go with the keyboard.

Mom's really pleased with things and is already getting her fingers to remember the notes. She's progressing quite rapidly considering it's been several months since she last played. Looks like this is going to be a great investment.

Thanks, again --Everett