The poster from Japan encouraged him to try one out for himself if he could. But since no one, possibly apart from Gyro, is able to recommend them, I can't do so in good conscience either.

Perhaps Williams will become popular in Japan. If that ever happens, I'll fly a pig down to the store and try one.

YDP140 feels lighter than LP350 and sounds a bit thinner, like P70/85
but YDP160's touch is miles better, very nice action

Fair enough that you can't recommend a Williams. But in the meantime, until you saddle up the pig , it might be a good idea to refrain from statements like this:

"Between those two [Korg and Williams], the Korg has a better action and possibly better sound. I would strongly recommend that one."

Statements such as this (and you have made many) give the incorrect impression that you have first-hand experience with Williams pianos.

Just.Jose - My first keyboard lit up and played that annoying Titanic theme song ;-)

Your best bet, by far, on your limited budget is to focus on the keyboard action, rather than the sound, because you are not going to get great sound for that price. If you can get a $500 keyboard with halfway decent action, which I know Guitar center has, make sure it has USB out and get it. (I tried Williams at Guitar Center and while the sound was terrible the action wasn't that bad for the price.) Then download Pianoteq on your computer and try it (Buy itfor $350), spend $50 on an M-Audio USB sound device, hook some speakers into it, and you nearly have a $6000 Roland V-piano for less than $1000.

Yes you would get more realistic action with a $2000 DP, but you are on a budget.

Summary, focus on the action, not the sound, as you can get the best sound available doing the above with any keyboard.

The keyboard will be in my living room, which- doesn't have a computer, hence, the sub for an acoustic. I also dont want to get an acoustic upright because I doubt that it has any headphones ... As for now, I'm on getting the Korg LP350, or the Arius YDP-140/160.

As for my wants/needs:

• Graded Hammer Action [ GHA ]
• 88-keys
• under $1000.00
• compact [ we're soon getting the 103" Panasonic Plasma screen TV for our living room -___- ]
• cabinet-styled

:P Both the KORG and YAMAHA fit both of those :\

Any pros/cons on the yamaha, or any tips to figure out which one I should get?

On specs alone, I would go with the Korg over the Yamaha. The Yamaha speakers are considerably less powerful. However, play both for awhile at Guitar Center or something, maybe visit a piano shop and play an acoustic too to know what a real piano sounds and feels like, then get the one you like better. In a couple of years, when you may consider upgrading, think about spending $1000 on an extra PC or laptop, Pianoteq, and a couple monitor speakers to sit next or on your DP for a quick effective upgrade.

I was very happy with the $2200 PF-500 from Yamaha for about 5 years, but as I played better and listened to real pianos more I realized the sound and resonance/color among were lacking and was going to buy a Roland V-Piano vs a cheap grand for $6 thousand dollars but spent less than $1000 on Pianoteq, Monitor Speakers, and a Yamaha Audiogram 3 USB sound device and ended up with a much better bargain and a better or at least equal playing and sound experience. As for compactness, I still have the DP sitting in the dining room, looking more or less the same as before (except for the speakers), as the PC is underneath it.

Good luck with your purchase!

Clumsy and time consuming?
Perhaps you're right Geoffk. Perhaps reading the dots & blips on the paper, interpreting the bizarre language of sheet music, correlating it to piano keys and doing all this while playing piano without looking is easier than learning the notes directly from the keyboard. To my mind it's like saying that it's easier to land a 747 on a dark night in a blizzard if you do it while carving a Thanksgiving turkey & texting on the cell phone.

Anyhow, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
Cheers.

Gyro keeps the acoustic chained up in a dark dungeon downstairs and sneers at it while gloating over his collection of cheap digitals.

Actually the "Clumsy and time consuming" reference was to my hypothetical audiobook analogy. But I understand what you're saying. Just consider this:

- The more complex the music is, the harder it gets to do what you propose. I shudder to think of trying to learn Chopin or Lizst by copying as the notes fly past.
- Even in typing, you're taught not to look at your hands because it slows you down. This is true for piano too.
- Sheet music lets you view the overall structure of the work, and see where the melody is going. It's like a visual road map of the music, once you get used to it.
- As you noted light up instruments are scarce. By getting rid of them, you free yourself to use the vast majority of (usually better) keyboards available.

Of course, piano is for fun, and you should do what you enjoy. But learning to read music and trying to sightread are skills that are worth having, even if it's a little hard to pick up at first.

... and it is fairly easy to learn.

I'd have to agree that light up keys are a dead end. Get the $1.56 Hal Leonard Student Keyboard Guide Template It's a piece of plastic with pictures of the notes that stands vertically along the 88 keys on the back of your keyboard.

You can learn it in 1 day. Don't use the magical light up keyboard, PLEASE!

WOOT WOOT GUYS !
I'm trying/getting the DP today! :]
Wish me luck [x
Trying the ... Korg - Yamaha ARIUS YDP-140 - Williams Overture Elite - Casio AP-200 - Acoustic
This should be fun ^_^
Thanks everyone for the input in helping me get the DP (:
Much appreciated !

-Jose P.

UGHH .
Guitar Center didn't even HAVEE the Korg :\
The 140 felt ... okay- it was a decent feel.
Williams Overture Elite felt somewhat light, but it was fine.
The Casio AP-200 felt nice, but the sound quality wasn't in my favor.
Anyone else know where I could find the Korg LP-350?

Online. I've had good experiences with MusiciansFriend.com and Kraft Music. Musicians Friend is owned by Guitar Center I believe but they have a wider selection.

Is there a store? :\
Cause we can't get it online ...
Were about to leave to New York on the 26th ...
and we won't be here for delivery .

I was thinking of just getting the Casio PX-800 or the Yamaha Arius YDP-140
:\
The Privia, the ONLY reason I'm getting that is cause right after we get it, ther'se coldstone's next to it
Free ice cream x]

I guess you'd have to call around your area and ask. Musician's Friend does have reasonable 2-day delivery rates, so you could get it the 24th or 25th without too much expense.

Or you could wait till you get back???

When I get back, it's school registration... and my mom && dad will be working

I understand where Gyro is coming from. An upright acoustic is large, heavy, and needs to be maintained. A DP is virtually maintenance free (never needs tuning). I also see lots of ads for acoustic uprights on Craigslist that are either dirt cheap or free (as long as you agree to move it). Why are so many people giving away acoustic pianos if they are so great?

My son has been playing on acoustic and digital pianos for 7 years and he says that our new YDP-160 is the best piano he has ever played.