I currently teach beginning piano lessons on my ancient (15+ yr. old) Roland FP. It's been a great keyboard because the keys have a very realistic feel and I've found that I can practice on it and then transfer to a "real" piano with little to no effort. That being said, it seems that the Roland is about to die. My very handy hubby has fixed it several times and says it's just wearing out. Funds are quite limited but I do need at minimum a realistic weighted key feel and also record features so that I can lay down basic tracks of my own music and record my students' accomplishments in order to burn cd's. I did find a Yamaha CLP-130 being sold locally, but the price is $1000.00...more than I was hoping to pay. My question is...would that piano most likely meet my needs and is that a reasonable price? Are there recommendations of other models that I should try to hold out for? We do live near a major city so Craig's list is a great resource. Thanks so much!

The CLP-130 was sold from 2002-2005.

It's a decent piano. But for $1000? No way.

My feeling is that the seller doesn't know the true value. I think many people just don't know, so they guess.

Or perhaps he's just fishing for a sucker. Don't be that sucker. It's not worth that much.

Thanks so much. I appreciate your advice. Do you have an opinion on the newer YDP-213? It sounds like a good basic keyboard but most of what I read was on the Yamaha site....not exactly objective.

Hello AnnieV, welcome to the forum.

I am inclined to agree with MacMacMac above - a second hand CLP-130 is rather overpriced at $1000, especially when a brand new model such as the Yamaha YDP-161 can be purchased for $1300 (possibly less during holiday period).

Do you require the instrument to be portable, or would you prefer a console instrument with fixed stand pedals?

If portability is an important requirement, your options range from the entry-level Yamaha P95, Casio PX-130, and Korg SP-250 to the higher specification models such as Yamaha P155, Kawai ES6, and Roland FP-7F - although these instruments will likely exceed your budget.

However, if a fixed instrument would be preferable, your options include entry-level models such as the Yamaha YDP-161/CLP-320 (mentioned already), Casio AP-220, Kawai CN23. Again however, depending on the model, brand, and dealer, you may find that some if these instruments exceed your maximum budget.

All of the instruments listed above feature grade-weighted keyboard actions that will be comparable with - if not better than - your existing Roland.

I hope this helps - good luck with your search!

Cheers,
James
x

The CLP 130 was a good piano in its day and could serve you well as teaching tool, because Yamaha's actions have a good reputation for durability and quality control. (The GH action is the same as the one spec'd with the YDP181. The 181 has a higher polyphony capacity and its damper pedal can do half pedaling. Neither of those features is likely to be of much use to beginners) That said, when buying used it's condition, condition, and condition. It'd be worthwhile to contact the seller and ask about its condition. You could try asking if he/she plays and if everything is working. A general question such as this opens the door to a discussion of how much this DP has been used.

We all tend to adjust to what we have, and sellers don't always know the true condition. If you go to look at it, you might want to "play" it with the power off. Do all keys feel the same under your fingers? In the most frequently played octaves you could depress the keys and wiggle them gently from side to side. Less motion is better.

Power it up and listen thru the speakers. Is this a tone which you can live with?

The cabinet, is it scratched? If it is, ask why. (Being moved a lot is not a good thing.)

Take your time.

If the action and cabinet are OK and you can live with the tone, praise the instrument, explain why you want it, and offer $700 - $600 if you're willing to watch the seller skwirm;-)

I wouldn't mind paying seven, because this DP has key off samples and stereo sustain samples, both of which contribute to realism.

Condition, condition, and condition.

The YDP-213 is slightly newer than the CLP-130. But it has the bottom-of-line GHS keyboard action. The feel isn't good. (The CLP-130 is a much better choice, both for the GH keyboard and for its other specs.)

Wow. Thanks so much for the advice, everyone. So glad I discovered this site. I can't wait to check out the "teaching" section also. As far as the keyboard, portablity really doesn't matter to me. The instrument will live in my living room. I just want a realistic piano feel and, also, I do dabble with composition so being able to lay down several tracks would be really fun....not absolutely necessary, but fun. Now, I do have to ask about just one more model...(sorry if this thread is starting to sound like alphabet soup.) On my local Craigs list right now there are two YPG-625's for sale. One is listed for $500 and hasn't been played much....purchased for lessons and child lost interest...I didn't see that model mentioned anywhere above. Does anyone know where the YPG-625 falls in relation to the others? I do know it's been discontinued, but it's not that old. Thanks so much

The YPG is a great fun machine with features which mimic those of the CVP line. A piano it is not. The Graded Hammer Standard action is too light. You might want to audition one - or its successor model - to see how it compares with the 'board that you're using now.

Something like that CLP 130 will also give the room a more professional appearance.

Thank you. I've learned a ton from all of the comments. I know that I definitely don't want light action so it sounds like I need to hold out for a great buy on a better board. The CLP 130 was on Craig's list but actually at a pawn shop so I don't now anything abuot its history. Guess the best thing to do is download a manual online and go check it out and try to determine the condition and that everything is working and then make a lower offer...if that's how I end up going. Thanks again!

Just continue checking Craigslist every day. The most desirable ones go quickly, but people don't always know about each and every model, such as that 130; it's worth auditioning.

Based on listings on the Bay Area Craigslist - where I'm shopping - I'd say that your universe of choices will expand considerably if you can raise your budget to $1,200. Of course, that's easier said than done. All the best with your search.

That price is way to high.

First you have to deside which key action you like. You should try some Roland, Yamaha and Kawai pianos. DOn't look at price tags. Each of these companies makes only a few different key actions the they put into many different models of piano so you don't need to try to many pianos to sample all the available key actions. Even if you want a "home style" piano yo can try a stage piano to see how the keys feel.

My guess is that you are going to want another Roland "non-Alphas PHA-III or III but you should alto try the Yamaha GH and GH3 keys and any Kawai.

Also you need to set a realistic budget. If this is capital equipment used in a business then base the budget on some fraction of yearly gross sales and put it one a three year depreciation schedule. If you are teaching you really should be spending a bit more than $1K. Ask your tax guy for advice.

I think every piano will allow you to record. That feature is nearly universal.

Next is sound. This is the area where technology has moved fast and the reason old pianos like the CLP-130 loose their value so fast. The new pianos are better.

I second the above the YDP-213 uses "GHS" keys. If you are teaching you are going to want a better key action. In the Yamaha line the next step up from "GHS" is "GH" and you can find GH keys in Yamaha's YDP161, ydp181, P155, CP33, CP300, CP50. You'd not want some of the CP type so prices start at about $1,300

Thanks so much. I hadn't even thought about the whole tax angle. I'll certainly check into it. I guess, too, I need to keep in mind that even though my old Roland is fading...literally...the volume is diminishing, it is still working ok for now and I don't HAVE to run out and purchase something tomorrow. I'll take your advice, go to some music stores, try to find some of the models suggested above, and compare the action of several different brands. I really can't afford to do anything hasty/stupid. Thanks again and have a nice holiday!