So here is the deal, I have been playing for a while now and I am moving away and I have to leave my acoustic piano. My budget is $750 or so, and with that I am going to need a stand and stool to go along with. I sat down and played both the Casio Px130 and the Yamaha P85 at guitar center this morning. I was impressed by both. I do not need any of the gimic sounds or anything like that. I am looking for a DP that sounds like a piano.

So what are your takes on these two insturments? I want to know the good, the bad, everything.

Thanks for your help,
Joey

What did you think of the key actions. The P85 is light. How was the PX130? I would decide strictly based on which keys you like. At that price point the sound is only "acceptable". On paper the multi-layered samples on thr Casio should be better but Yamaha does a very good job with one layer. But I'd buy based on just the keys. Yamaha does have a much better warranty if that matters and likely a better resale value. But the Casio does win based on paper specs

I used a PX-120 and the actions get loose after playing for about 6 months. I don't know if this is fixed in PX-120. Hope this helps

Both are more than acceptable pianos especially for a first piano. If you can find a Korg SP-170 try that too. Not sure if the Korg is available yet. You need to decide what kind of key action you like and what kind of piano sound you like. Casio owns the low end of the market, but Korg is about to give them a run for the money with the SP-170. I'm not a big fan of the P-85 due to its action and the single layer piano sample.

Hen I am looking for key action what should I be looking for. My experiance has really been with a single acoustic piano. And what do you mean by a single layer piano sample?

Jb

Well, I have had the PX-130 for about three months now, and I am happy with the key action. When I first got it new, I thought the keys were a little sluggish, but after the first week or so of playing they loosened up a bit and are much more pleasant (and IMO realistic) now.

I like the piano sound in it too. My only complaint is that a few keys around the C4 area seem to have a bit of a high-pitched overtone to them, and because it's present on all three of the piano sounds, it seems to be caused by some kind of sound processing on the PX-130 and not part of the samples.

Also, as this is Casio's current low-end privia, the speakers aren't going to give you the most fantastic fidelity or deepest bass, but using headphones or getting a better external speaker would be cheaper than getter a fancier model of privia.

If you're looking for a totally decent way to practice as a good price, I'd recommend getting the PX-130 along with the stand they make for it (model # CS-67) and the three-pedal attachment (model # SP-32). And a good pair of headphones for night.

I bought a PX130 and have a Steinway at work. I made the decision based on the similarity between the way the two felt compared with the Steinway, and the P85 lost. Now, five or six months later, as Sean says, the keyboard has loosened up a bit, and feels even better.

I went back to Guitar Center this weekend and checked them both, and was surprised to note that their P85 felt decidedly grainy to me, lacking Steinway smoothness, and a little more like the cheap Chinese pianos I've tried since I bought my PX130. I don't know if that was just their display sample, or whether I'm more aware than I was five months ago, but I remain happy with the Casio.

I don't know Casio, but P-85 has weak speakers, and I don't like the feel of keyboard; though the price is adequate.

I have a yamaha P-85 and a Steinway...I bought the former for the feel of the keys which I found to be of far better quality than any Casio I've played.

The GHS action is smooth and responsive, and not too light or too heavy.

Also, the Yamaha name commands respect, and the P-85 will be easier to sell or trade in when the time comes to upgrade.

My P-85 is played a lot, and it has held up exceptionally well...no noisy keys, and no other issues..

The P-85 (and now the P-95) is a fine instrument...get the optional stand and three pedals.

The speakers are it's only downfall...barely adequate...I fixed that by adding a Logitech Z-2300 2.1 Stereo speaker system...under $200 and it gives the P-85 an overall sound far better than digital pianos costing three times as much...plus you can keep the speaker system and use it with your next piano.


Snazzy

Now can anyone explain why the Px130 and the Px320 cost the same on guitar centers website? What are the differences on these keyboards?

Jb.

The current models arethe PX130 and PX330. The 330 having more fetures than the 130.

The PX320 is an older model that was replaced by the PX330.

The newer -30 models are said to have improved key action and sound samples.

I think they are the same price only by coincident. Certainly GC can't sell the PX320 for the same price as the PX330 so they cut some off the price and it just happened to land on the px130, or so I guess.

That makes sense, thanks for the infor on the -30 models.

Do you think that the PX330 is worth the extra $200?

I think the PX-330 is worth the extra money if you are going to use the extra stuff. Do you want on board accompaniment with built in drum loops or will you be playing classical piano pieces. Do you need the extra sounds? Do you want a synth pad? Will you be using the MIDI ports? Will you be gigging and needing line out jacks? If not, save your money and decide between the P-85 and the PX-130.

I've had my PX-130 for some time now as well. I tried out a lot of DPs including PX130, P85 and also P155.

I think PX130 kicked the asses of both Yamahas (P85 and P155) in action/price. I feel that Yamaha has a lot of brand value in the price without real increased value as Yamaha does make great real pianos.

Nevertheless just try them out enough and the P85 was not bad IMO - just a bit light and unrealistic compared to the PX130. The P155 from Yamaha was a lot better than P85, but it is twice the price as well.

I would say the PX130 is a safe choice and best bang for the euro.

Hi Im new in this Great Forum! Before all, i want to say that im from Argentina, my english is poor. Sorry! :$

Im looking for a DP and like a lot of people here im in the doubt, Yamaha or Casio! In Argentina both are expensive!! I think PX330 looks great and a lot people talk so good about it but here is around the U$S 1300!! The PX130 is around 900!!! and the Yamaha´s are hard to find but even more expensive. Last weekend I found an YPG635 in 1600!! This weekend Ill try to go to the downtown to found the new Casio´s. Yersterday I played in a Store the Privia PX110 but I dont like it! Hope found the PX130 better in sound quality because im really interesting in a good Piano sound and in a good response in the keys. Im a guitar player and started with the piano since 6 months!

Thanks to all for the help!

Hi Joey

I personally don't have experieces with those two models (PX 130 and PX 330), but based on what I saw on youtube video, I believe that it is worth to spend extra few dollars for PX 730.

Here you can click on those two youtube links. Second link clearly shows that PX 730 has I believe more piano-like sound (much deeper on the left side) then PX 130, although they have the same speakers(2 x 8 W).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-e1U2cdUxY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBdxgPlZlFw&feature=related

I personally prefer more bass on the left side.

Sorry for my english.

u can buy a yamaha ypg 635 online for less then 800 bucks..plus shipping. 1600 dollars is alot for that piano.