Looking for the cheapest(!) keyboard with weighted keys for a absolute beginner 7 year old. Is this the Casio CDP-100? If so, Amazon has it for $350.

Assuming it does not come with a stand is there a particular stand for this? I see one for over $110 for it on some site. Any more expensive keyboard with a stand included?

Thank you

To your first question my answer is probably yes. It will be hard to get a new graded hammer keyboard for less than $300. But look for used ones too.

To your second question I say, use a table, that is cheap.

To your third question I have to ask what you mean with "more expensive keyboard"?

Check out Guitar Center's $50 off coupon. Of just go in the store and ask for the $299 price. While you are there pick up one of their "X Stands" for about $25.

Tables are to tall. The keys need to be 29 inches from the floor, Most tables place the keys to high

I did not like the way a plastic keyboard slides on the metal bars of the x-stand. Any kind of friction tape over the bars fixes this problem. Use the cork/rubber tape made for bicycle drop down style handlebars or hockey sticks.

Here is a stand that might work
http://www.samash.com/p/KS7190%20Single%20Braced%20X%20Style%20Keyboard%20Stand_-49976461

for stand, get a double bar X stand, which is cheaper and more stable than single bar one, like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Casio-GSDX-Deluxe-Keyboard-Stand/dp/B00006343B
or this:
http://www.amazon.com/Yamaha-PKBX2-Double-Portable-Keyboard/dp/B00079DRUO/ref=tag_dpp_lp_edpp_ttl_ex

I would try renting from wherever you get lessons. If the kid's still at it in a year, they'll probably let you apply all or some of the rental to a purchase, and then you'll know more about what to buy. If they stop playing, you lose some rental fee.

Other option is to buy used, you'll save a lot. You're in a major city, try craigslist and if you see something you like, ask on the forum about price. I think you'll end up with either Casio or Yamaha, the other major brands don't have quite as low an entry price point as those two. You can also go on ebay, but sometimes shipping can add $50-100.

Thank you all for your valued opinions. Good stuff.

The double X stands are more stable than the single X that's for sure and i'd avoid getting a single X at any rate but i think most if not all of the X stands, double or single, also place the keys too high. I have a double X now using for my older yamaha keyboard and the keys are at 30 1/8" where they should be at 28 5/8" which is where the stand made for the p155 I have places those keys. The difference may seem slight but that little bit of having to extend your wrist to reach that extra inch and a half is noticeable especially when you compare. Does anyone know of any of the X or platform stands that set the keys at 28 5/8 to 29"? I've read here someone saying they got the stage platform type stand and hacksawed a couple of inches off the legs to bring it down to the right height. ---Of course the one way to get the right height does seem to be to get the stand that is for the casio or yamaha (if available for that model) It does make it less portable though and if you can get them down a bit on the price while you're buying the keyboard that would be cool because the price for these is about at least $100.

I would recommend against X stands. They often have legroom issues, and the height adjustment can be all over the place.

I prefer the Quik-Lok W550 / On-Stage Stands WS8550 (same thing AFAIK, very versatile), or the Quik-Lok M-91 (really fast setup / teardown).

The W550 has handy accessories you can buy for it like a 3 sheet music stand, speaker shelves, 2nd tier, etc.