Story so far (as in other threads), my Privia PX-330 went back for repair, when it came back from repair it was worse, so it went back again. Now for each of those events they phoned me up first to check I would be in for delivery/collection.
They've currently had the machine for over a week and their website tracking system just had 'waiting for parts' so I phoned them on Monday, they are waiting for a replacement to come into stock and it should be within ten working days.

So I'm in work this morning, and thought I'd check their tracking system, and I find they sent out a replacement last night, without telling me, hopefully I'll manage to get back by about 11/11.30 and hope they haven't already tried to deliver!

What was the nature of the problem?

Greg.

I've managed to get home before they've tried to deliver, which doubtless means they won't deliver until 5pm now.

The original set of problems were a) two notes made a crackly sound - a bit like a crisp packet b) one note on repetition made a metallic clanking sound c) various clicking of keys banging together.

When it was returned they said they'd replaced the key bed. The new set of problems a) the note next to the two that made the crackly sound gets stuck (as if they'd just shoved whatever was making the crackly sound out the way so that it was causing a blockage for the next key) b) a note a third below occasionally makes a full blast repeat sound a fraction of a second after it makes the right loudness.

That second problem is really distracting - it makes you jump! I _suspect_ this issue might be caused by the third sensor that is meant to increase repetition time.

So I'm now sitting here waiting for a replacement machine to turn up.

Its a pity really, these quality control issues are letting down what otherwise strikes me as a very good machine.

Hmm... doesn't sound good. Good support is so important to a brand IMHO. Let's hope they've checked over the replacement too. Looking forward to some good news from you!

OK, I've given it about two hours playing since receiving the new one, two half hour stints this afternoon and an hour just now with the head phones.

So far so good, having waved Finzi, Haydn, Buxtehude and Pachelbel at it there don't seem to be any issues to report.

I _think_ they might have checked this one was OK before sending it, as the Privia box was sent inside a larger box, so I got to play giant pass the parcel (mind you the repaired one was sent like that too), also the tape holding down the keys was missing.

Are they still morons, then?

You could edit the title. Someone could mistakenly infer that you're talking about people who buy Casio keyboards...

I'm really surprised at Casio and the complaints about their keybeds.

This is the same company which has given Yamaha a tough fight in the Soft Touch keyboards.

Their PX-330 really looks like an all in one package for students and stage. But if there are issues like these, people are going to stay away as service and replacement options are not easily accessable everywhere.

Sad, because these guys offer real value for money products.

If its only piano that one needs, would the Korg SP250 @ 700$ be a good option? RH3 action, 60 polyphony, 11w+11w speaker (with box), stand, pedal, (and headphones at some online sites)) included.

Brian

Hey a result! Pity it wasn't easy. I'm still happy with my PX330 despite problems with the keys which I will get fixed before the warranty runs out, another 2+ years to go. Hopefully by then they will have sorted out their service procedures.

I think some of the issue is that (as far as I can tell) I wasn't dealing with a specialist music department.

Casio does give you a lot for the money, but it's also important to note that they do so by building to a price point. While I do think they have improved their products, they still have a ways to go. Their next major hurdle in my opinion is product quality. There are numerous complaints about loose and wobbly keys, keys that stick or hit adjacent keys and to a lesser degree, noise. It's harder to address some of this when you are building your product to a price point and trying to gain market share based on price which seems to be what Casio is aiming for.

galaxy4T,

I agree with you on this. Its just that they have delivered good quality with their Soft Touch keyboards at competitive prices. I wonder why they are not able to translate the same for their DP's.

Brian

When I was about to buy my first DP I was targeting a Casio, and they told me the quality was better than Yamaha. Long story short, the keyboard had: some keys stock, speakers on one side didn't work, etc.

Casio for me is not a good idea at all, it's the cheap chinese option for a disponsable keyboard, IMHO

How long ago or recent is this experience Jose?

There are AFAICT quite a few satisfied PX130 and 330 users on these forums at least. Maybe more with other of the more recent models. I don't think it's a cheap option anymore but a value option, or have I just slipped into marketing speak ?

That happened on Feb. this year, with a PX330, and I was so disapointed that I ask them to not fool the rest of the people saying the quality of a Casio was the same as Yamaha, it happened with two keyboards in two different stores.

I ended up buying a Kawai for a lot more money but I have something good to use for years and years.

My advise: go for a Yamaha or Kawai or something else because you may regret getting something cheap and bad and end up spending more money.

Can we have some posts from satisfied Casio customers please!!!!

Brian,
My feeling is that Casio hired Mike Martin to help them gain some credibility and at the same time make recommendations on what to build into their new models. To a degree, he has probably helped with the latter as of present. I think he was involved with the development of the PX-3 which recently came out. However, the credibility is still a work in progress. He knows a lot of people in the music business, but he has less influence on quality control being in the marketing end. He has been on these forums before, but he doesn't answer quality related issues as that is not his job. He just tell you to call support if you have an issue. However, I don't see Casio gaining any real ground if quality issues continue to pop up. They'll continue to plague the brand.
It's easier to compete on the non weighted boards because the key action isn't as big of an issue as they are spring loaded.And Casio knows how to build value for low cost.

I have had the PX-310, PX-320, PX-330 and now the PX-130 (as well as boards from the WK range). I can't recall ever having a quality problem. I know I'm one of the lucky ones, and I accept that there have been a number of posts from people with issues, but it's not all doom and gloom with Casio's QC.

I have a few niggles about the limitation of the sounds - views I've expressed in other threads - but I have to say that the Privia series is darn good value for money; great practice boards.

+1

Happy Casio customer here:

I have the PX110 and I'm very happy with it for the last 4 years! The touch is superb for the price paid and the sound is not half bad.

You should note that I use it solely as a midi controller, thus all I care is the touche which IS great, no matter what anyone thinks. I haven't had a single issue and the keyboard, apart from being on the back of a car a few times, it has also mover from London to Athens, Greece.

That said, I do recognise the complaints about the sounds made by the keys, etc. but they simply do not apply to my usage with a computer and a high end studio, that's all!:)

PX-310 here: I use as midi controler and stage piano. I got a close out deal when they were coming out with the 320. I've been very well satisfied.

I bought the PX 330 while I still had my YPG 635 and it had 2 or 3 stuck keys that wouldn't sound. That was right after they first came out and there were at least 4-5 people on the forum who had similar problems. It seems to be a major issue with Casio, and I don't understand that, unless it was a major design flaw or a big bunch of defective parts....Either way it made me cautious. On the other hand I've bought 2 of their really low end keyboard (591 and the WK200) which are absolute indestructible workhorses. Admittedly not great sound to start, and not fully weighted keyboards (partially or not at all)...maybe it was weighting the keys that messed them up.

My one came from the store with a quality check certificate issued by a technician from that store. Apparently they know there could be possible problems and they do some sanity checks before shipping it out to customer. Yet it arrived with one jammed key that luckily released when I touched it and is working fine so far. I noticed packaging was not that good - no protective tape on the keys for example and a thin cartoon case... I don't know but it could be packaging and transportation issues also that causes these problems. I recall Mike Martin saying that they did not get any more than usual reports from customer about broken keyboards.

With only a thin cartoon to protect them, I'd be surprised if any of them made it to their final destination unbroken!

I too am quite satisfied with my Casio PX330, though I think some caveats are warranted. However, to provide context to my statements, I'm a complete beginner, having had my first lesson on Sept. 7 (three days ago). This was the first time I've touched a piano other than to play "chopsticks". My lessons are on a Yamaha Grand Piano, and, I plan on playing predominantly classical music.

I have not had any issues with my PX330 regarding stuck keys, etc. I don't know if this is luck or due to the fact I received what is likely a new product. I received the piano on Sept. 3, and this was after a two week delay because the wholesaler (not store) warehouse was out of stock.

The keybed is loud, and in fact my wife prefers if I play it with the volume up rather than with headphones so she doesn't have to hear the keys. Note: I can't hear the keys clicking with the headphones on or through the speakers; the issue seems to be most annoying for observers. (Again, note that this is my first week practicing, so your results may vary ).

Regarding touch, as soon as I came back from my lesson I compared this to what I felt on the Grand. To be fair, there is no comparison, the Grand seems much better (of course, this could be my mind telling me this, as I'm not sure it makes a difference for my playing). The feel while playing staccato notes seemed pretty comparable, but trying to play lagato notes seemed more difficult on the Casio.

Finally, there is truly no comparison when it comes to sound; the Grand is much better. Of course, I didn't buy this piano expecting it to sound like a high quality acoustic.

As a previous poster mentioned, I think the Casio is a great value. I spent a total of $750 Canadian on it with a stand and bench (including taxes). If I sell everything in a year (which I'm honestly quite likely to do) for half the price, I'm only out $375; for half a year, this "loss" seems quite acceptable. Could I have bought a more expensive piano? Probably, but if I'm no longer playing in a year, I'm out a lot more money. Waiting a while before making that purchasing decision seemed like a smart move.

However, I do understand the original poster's point; if I was having a lot of issues with the piano, I probably wouldn't be quite as positive. There's not a lot that the piano does well, it just does a lot of things acceptably at a very reasonable price point.

The thing is they're 'nearly very good' (as a choirmaster friend of mine says to his choir after their attempts at some rehearsals).

In their price range I think they could get away with shoving the retail price up by 50 quid and for Casio to spend their share of that on quality control. If it reduced the numbers of us having issues, that would reduce the number of us reporting issues, which are presumably detrimental to their sales volumes, so its _possible_ a small price rise could actually increase sales.

How about another dollar of Flash for the piano sample set? Then everyone would buy one, regardless of good or bad their QC is. I would certainly take a chance.