On a local ad list there's a one year old Yamaha DGX-630 priced at a firm $550. My son tried that model today at Guitar Center and liked it; they're having a sale on it for $799 new.

He's an experienced college musician, but new to piano. His 1980's era Casio is holding him back.

Is $550 a fair price for one of these used?
Thanks!

Yes, it's my first post, but I've been lurking and learning for a while.

I think 2/3 of new is fair. Let's see that comes to $533. So yes, it's very close to what I'd expect for a good condition current production model.

But I think Music123 still has the 20% off deal which means you can get it for $640 new. Is a three year Warranty worth $90 to you? I don't know.

One other thing, if he is new to piano but serious he should take one of his buddies who plays piano to check it out. A lot of people don't think the key action in the 630 is suitable for a serous student. But others like it a lot. If the goal is to learn piano and he likes the 630, the P85 is the same for about $250 less.

Good advice Chris; thanks! We'll look for the coupon; Guitar Center said they'll match anyone's prices, even Amazon. So maybe they'll take Music 123's coupon.

This is really a great site and you folks are very helpful
Thanks!

www.dealtaker.com code = "DEALTAKE"

Thanks again. I just caught a mistake on my part. The DP at Guitar Center for $799 with bench is actually the YPG635; my son liked the feel of the keys. He plays at the college with school pianos and practices at home with a really old DP.

As you mentioned, there seems to be a love/hate thing with the DGX-630. I'm not seeing as much discussion on the YPG635 (and my search function on this forum isn't turning anything up -probably a user error).

NVM; according to a different search, YPG is for the U.S. market and DGX is European.

I suspect your son would not be happy with a model with the Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) keyboard, which the DGX 630 has. I would try to get a model with Graded Hammer (GH) keyboard. The P155 and P140 both have GH, the P85 has the GHS.

I have to say, the GHS keyboard in my P-85 is pretty darn good.

Excellent response, not too heavy, not too light...just like the Baby Bear's porridge...just right.

The GHS action is rugged as well. My two P-85's get a lot of playing, and they've worked flawlessly.

Snazzy

pros for your considerations:
The DGX 630 has lots of sounds and drum rhythm patterns. It is general midi/XG compatible and you will not find it weird to play back midi files downloaded from the web. The drums tracks would come out just the way it should be. Try playing a midi file on a p155 and the drums tracks will come out as non-nonsensical garbage. It has lots of tracks for recording too. The DGX 630 has so much more functions than a no-nonsense digital piano; which the boring p155 and p140 lacks.

cons for your considerations:
The piano sounds of the DGX 630 is not really that amazing. It sounds thin and it's like a portasound housed in a piano look-alike stand given the 88 keys which most standard normal piano has. In addition, the keys are noisy, turn off the volume and randomly press the keys and you will know what i mean. If your son is buying the piano for those ABRSM/other graded exams, then i think he will be better off buying the p155/p140. the GH keyboards on the p155 has a better feel, tho' in some ways it still lose out to those digital piano with GH3/as compared to a real piano. If his interest in piano is still there, maybe you can consider to upgrade to a better piano when he reach a higher grade. However, if he is just buying to play for fun/entertainment as a "toy", then i think the DGX 630 would suffice.

Normally, its not advisable to buy a piano that is too good/expensive for starters, unless you can be really sure that your son's interest in piano will be sustained in the future; that's just my 2 cents of advise.

There's another thread here on the YPG 635/DGX 630 = same model.
I'm happy with mine and I bought and returned the Casio PX330.

Nikalette,

Why did you return the Casio PX330?

Snazzy

There is little difference between GHS and GH.

Many people can tell in an instant the difference and have strong preferences. It is reasonable to say "I can hardly detect any difference" no one could argue with that.

I think there is quite a bit of difference, The GHS really is better if you intend to play a wider range of sound -- as you would on a YPG635. Also the lighter GHS are easier to play and might be overall best if you never intend to play an acoustic instrument. The only thing GH has going for it is that it better simulates an acoustic piano.

If you are one of those lucky people who can't tell the difference between GH and GHS then you are lucky and need never spend over $1K for a digital piano.

Same goes for sound systems. Many people are lucky can can't tell the difference between a $10,000 stereo and a boom box. Those people can save a pile of money.

That is why everyone say "try iy yourself". You just be lucky and prefer the lower priced instrument.

To feel the difference between GH and GHS, you need to play on on a GH for a extended period of time, then switch over to GHS. Instantaneously, you will feel that the GHS keyboard is more sluggish as compared to the GH.

The one I ordered came in with 2 defective keys (permanently pushed in)...also the instrument voices weren't as good. I would have kept it to see if I liked it for the 30 days but with the defects I was troubled.