Hi guys, I really need desperate help.
I'm from the UK, and I NEED a piano next week, I'm tired of waiting. The New Casio Privia's have won me over, I want either 130, or the beautiful 730. But on this forum I have read many complaints regarding malfunctoning keys. Would it be safe to buy the new Privia? I love the neww features, these new Casios are so much better, but if only they considered reliabilty and long term use .

Perhaps Mr. Mike Martin can comment on this? Would it be safe to get the new Privia now, In England, UK?

Thanks a ton guys.
Kind regards,
Terri, Reading, UK

Terri, I believe there have been around four or five reports of malfunctioning keys, or keys that are damaged on arrival.

Really, given the thousands of new (x30) Privia models shipping worldwide - the majority of which going to extremely satisfied customers if these forums are anything to go by - I would not be overly concerned by the handful of problems reported by folks here.

I can understand that it must be terribly frustrating to purchase a new instrument, wait in anticipation for it to arrive (or to take it home), then unbox it, only to find that one or two keys stick, however this is unfortunately to be expected in any manufacturing process. Certainly, quality control should counter such faulty units, however given a large production run on the scale of the PX-130 or PX-330, there are always going to be some products that unfortunately slip through the safety net.

If you like the new PX-130 or PX-730, just go ahead and buy it, rather than worrying unnecessarily.

Cheers,
James
x

Terri,
It's difficult to say on the clacking. Casio has added a piece of felt to the overhang covering the back of the keys. This has been likely added to quiet key noise. To be fair here, even an acoustic piano will generate noise when the keys are pressed because the mechanisms that trigger the hammers hitting the strings are mechanical and all will generate some noise. On the other hand, there are about four or five reports of keybed issues on the new models--PX130/330. These might be isolated manufacturing defects or they could be indicative of quality control issues. If it is widespread, Casio will have it's hands full with repairs and dissatisfied customers. I would also think that Mike Martin's influence would be somewhat tarnished as he is a professional musician who I'm sure has many contacts. If his contacts are encountering similar problems it becomes a big public relations nighmare for him. My opinion is that Mike Martin, over time, will help improve Casio's quality and enhance their product line and any quality issues will be short lived.

Well put guys - we, consumers, have a tendency to report when there is an issue and just enjoy when everything is alright. So we hear much more about people with problematic DPs than the others.
Every manufacturer will have faulty units - but then the consumer's perception depends of the frequency of issues reported AND how the manufacturer will stand and take care of the issues. Yamaha has a very good reputation because they build quality product but also because people trust that Yamaha will do what it takes to address any issues. I recall the issues with the P90/P120 keybed: keys were breaking - nothing less - Yamaha replaced the keybed, sometime way after the warranty period.
Casio customer service does not have this reputation and might have it later or never. I did not have to deal with Casio for my PX320 - I had to deal with Casio support for a Digital camera: The flash was too bright and the DC was over exposing the pictures. I have sent the camera to a repair center ($5) and I received my camera back repaired. It is not that easy for a DP, but then, the repair center is in town, 10 minutes from where I live.

I have been enjoying my PX320 for more than 1 year now. Neither the key bed or the 3-pedals bar have been problematic so far.
It surely does not feel like it is build like a tank like was my Yamaha P-120, but I like its action and it is much easier to carry around, which I want to do from time to time during a weekend out of town. Also it is 50% of the P120's price so my expectations are lower than for a more expensive DP.
I would have to do it again, I would go for the PX130, as it is enough for what I need: light weight, decent piano voices with good action. I never use the extra voices on my PX320.

I own a PX-720 and will have the PX-730 arriving in a couple of days. I've been satisfied with my PX-720, especially for the price I got it for. I'm hoping the PX-730 doesn't come with malfunctioning keys, but if it does, I can always have it replaced/repaired under warranty. As for the the key noise issue, I don't notice any problem at all with my PX-720. I did notice it when I played an older model PX-310 one time - the key clack seemed a bit louder than I expected (this was when the DP was turned off). But when I turned it on to play, I never even heard the clacking. I say the key clacks will probably only be noticeable if you were playing at an extremely low volume.

WOW,
Thanks alot James, Galaxy, Vincent and Marimorimo for the quick and detailed replies. I shall now purchase one of the new Privias later on this week. Marimorimo, congratulatins on your new Privia 730, it would be great if you could do a mini-review... I know you have another thread 'Waiting for my PX-730.' I will check it out once you have the piano.

Thanks alot again guys, for the quick replies and the reasurrance, Thank you James, Galaxy, Vincent and Marimorimo.

Regards,
Terri

I just purchased the PX-330 model on Friday. All the keys were blue taped down to secure. I set the keyboard on the stand and removed all the tape, and, WOW!
The piano is wonderful and all the keys responded perfectly, no problems at all. What a beautiful way for a beginner like me to start my retirement piano adventure. I am truly blessed.
The information I gathered here on this forum was instrumental in my choice - so - thank you very much fellow members.
Richard

@Terri: Yes, I'm planning to do a review once the PX-730 comes, but I'll actually only be able to play it this coming weekend (I won't be around when it gets delivered) Maybe by then you've already jumped the gun and bought one?

Here ia a PDF link comparing the PX-730 and the PX-330.
Might be helpful in choices.
Enjoy the search,
Richard

http://www.casio-intl.com/news/2009/px730_spec.pdf

I think a few other PX 330 owners have posted about having to remove tape from the keys after taking the piano out of the box. Looks like Casio is addressing the issue.

Although there have only been 5 or so reports of malfunctioning keys from buyers here on PW, there haven't been that many buyers of the PX30s, so it's a sizeable percentage who have had issues. We don't know of the thousands sold worldwide how many have defective key. We only know how many of the purchasers here have had that problem.

There isn't a problem with returns or exchanges for this issue...what would worry me is WHY so many buyers here have the same problem and if it is a defect that only shows up right away or might show up later. That would make me hold off.

You may try to arrange dealer to check the keys for you before shipment. My one did that automatically; I have found test certificate in my box that was apparently signed by a dealer employee. Yet it arrived with the left-most key stuck in the middle as I reported before. Which makes me think it happened while in transit. My one did not had protective tape as recently reported here.

I must point out that when I pushed the key, it released and all keys works perfectly more than a month already. I don't want to blame Casio for faulty keys; my case was not such.

Well ... the packaging is done by Casio, so if the DP is not protected properly or if their action needs to be "blocked" in a given position to avoid damages duringthe transportation, this Casio's problem to be taken care of.
It seems Casio did something to address the issue. The later delivered DPs have their keybed locked by some blue tape.
BTW, if the dealer removes the blue tape to inspect the DP before shipping it, then does it become the dealer's problem?

Thanks once again for the replies... unfortunatly I have not bought any DP yet... I am torn between which one to choose... the 130, 330, or the 730... maybe even the 830 because all models are available, at shockingly low prices at Chamberlainmusic.com But I still feel very paranoid... The low prices make me want to buy one, I can not afford any other DP. I looked at the KORG SP-250, but it seems out dated... The 60-note polyphony IS HALFED TO 30 because the grand piano sound uses 2 oscillators, as stated in the user manual. and take away another 10 polyphony for reverb or chorus... what a shame.

Hi Terri, I posted my review of the PX-730 a while ago (thanks for reminding me!)

I believe the PX 130, 330, 730, and 830 are good models and good value. But they're on different product categories. The PX 130 and 330 are stage models while 730 and 830 are console types. If you're not planning to lug your piano around with you, I suggest you get a console type so you'll get the 3 metal pedals right from the start and not have to buy the 3 pedal unit separately. The free pedal that comes with the stage models doesn't feel like a real pedals at all.

I haven't played the Korg so I can't comment, but I do encourage you to visit a music store and try out all the DPs there so you can make a better judgment

I think it is safe to buy, because in Germany Casio offers service at home. I have little trouble with the keys, I called Casio and they will contact me again if they get the replacement keyboard.

Hey bandit, what trouble are you having? and what model piano?
thanks
terri

I have the PX 330, one key is a bit higher than the others and the second C makes a disgusting click noise.