I just put down a deposit on a Yamaha AG N1 to be delivered at the end of the week. I can still back out or switch my deposit to another instrument. Realizing that I'm not giving you much time to weigh in, I'd be grateful for your thoughts.

I'm an adult beginner on piano, though a reasonably accomplished string bass player (classical). I plan to start piano lessons soon but haven't yet found a teacher.

Here are what seem to me the relevant considerations:

I don't have room in my home for a grand. I'm looking for something that has real piano action, a decent sound, and a small footprint. Starting at age 59, I'm not hoping for Carnegie Hall, but only to play classical and show tunes for my own enjoyment. It would be nice if a real pianist could play my piano to accompany me (on bass) in duets. Being able to play or practice with headphones is a slight plus, but not determinative.

I can still cancel this purchase (or get a very generous "trade-up" allowance later). I feel okay about the N1, but here are what seem the most attractive alternatives, within space and price constraints, if I decide to change my mind in the next day or so:

I could get the next Yamaha hybrid digital up (N2 -- attractive because of better speakers and "tactile response system" available on the N2 and N3, but not the N1); or, among acoustic pianos, the Yamaha U1 or U3. (The dealer also carries Steinway, Mason & Hamlin, and other lines, but if I go acoustic, it needs to be as good as or better than the Yamaha U1 and not more expensive than the U3.)

I'd be grateful for any and all suggestions. If I haven't told you something relevant to the choice, ask away.

Thanks!

In my opinion, that is a great purchase.

Advantages:
- no tuning needed
- Grand piano action
- Concert grand piano sound
- silent practise
- small
- MIDI

Disadvantages:
- it does not have the unquantifiable essence of an acoustic piano (as the French say: a certain "I don't know what" )
- more expensive than some uprights, although probably about the same as a U1.

I am sure you will enjoy it and grow to appreciate all of the advantages. Most people will probably not even know that it is a digital piano.

I see no flaw in your use of the N1 for your purposes, however I would consider a few things...

The N1 is nice and very cool, but if the headphone/connectivity benefit is really not a deciding factor, I'd go back to a nice acoustic upright. At that price, you have good options for acoustic (and practice pedals when you need to cut the volume some).

Until the headphone/connectivity becomes a need, it's hard to justify even a great digital over any good acoustic for the purpose of playing piano. IMO, a good digital clobbers a poor acoustic, but most any good acoustic clobbers even a great digital. So ultimately, how important is the headphone option?
This I disagree with this as there is no mistaking the sound from speakers vs. strings. Also, as you become more advanced, you will find yourself more critical of the pedaling found on all digitals. Pedaling on digitals is more forgiving; I've found no exceptions to this from any maker yet. You'll find pedaling more difficult when you transition back to an acoustic piano. It's not a deal breaker, but it is not often talked about when considering the pros/cons of digitals.

I consider the N1 to be a more professional, niche instrument, best suited for those who play mostly into headphones and want that nice action.

I see three problems.

1) Your enthusiasm for the N1 reads as tepid. Is it possible you put the deposit only because you had an out if you changed your mind?

The N1 is the least expensive of the Avants, but it's still significant coin for aa digital piano. IMO a person buying a digital at that price should be all-in, and as Sam wrote, ready to benefit from tits utility. For someone not all-in, the N1 is too much money to spend on a digital..

2) Your principal instrument is a string bass. I suspect that if you don't have a strong preference for a piano with strings now, this preference will emerge after you get into piano study. I don't think duets between your bass' natural sound and the N1's speakers will sound very good.

3) You see the main advantage of the N1 as the grand action. IMO the grand action is of no importance whatsoever to a beginning or low intermediate player. If your study reaches the level where it makes a difference, you will want a better instrument that the N1.

I have no bias against digials. I spend more time on them than on acoustics and that's by choice. But I honestly think in your case the quality of sound is going to quickly become more important to you than the grand piano action.

I'm with Turandot on this one...."tits utility" and all!

I'm a pro string player (viola:the parts are 10 times easier, the pay is the same. Who's the joke on now?) and was seriously considering either the AG N2 or N3, there being no "N1" at the time. The lack of presence was what turned me off. A good upright is so much more inspiring, at least to me.
(titter)

Well, in that case, it's decided then!

Thanks for all the very thoughtful comments.

First, I hope I didn't mislead some with my characteristically understated writing style. My enthusiasm for the N1 is by no means tepid: I very much like the instrument. And I certainly do appreciate the options that this instrument provides that are unavailable on an acoustic. However, I am mostly interested in playing the piano, so whether an electronic instrument can perfectly emulate a Zamfirian pan-flute doesn't rank high in my priorities.

My appreciation of the N1 still doesn't make this an easy decision. Much like picking one main course off the menu of a restaurant that offers many attractive items, there is always a bit of -- "concern" is too strong a word -- for the attractions of the foregone choices.

Similarly, while my choice isn't being driven by the option of silent practice, or multiple voices, or recording capability, or midi use, or no piano tuners, or less weight, etc., those are certainly nice plus factors.

I know that one of two things will happen: either I will get enthusiastic about playing the piano, which very well might lead me to a future upgrade, probably to an acoustic, for all the reasons many of you mention; or I won't, in which case this or any other instrument I might buy now will gather dust. I really don't think that outcome will be affected much by whether my initial instrument is the N1 or the best acoustic I can afford.

Finally, having spent a bunch of time listening to my various options, I can say that I do think the N1 has a very good sound. It's different from the sound of a really good upright -- it does lack a "je ne sais quoi" -- but I'm honestly not prepared to say that it's "worse." And I think that the sound is comparable enough to that of an acoustic piano that duets will be satisfactory. I like the sound of the N2 even more though -- better speakers -- and I think that will be my ultimate choice.

In getting there, I spent a lot of time with the N1, N2, and N3; the Roland V-Grand; Yamaha acoustic models U1, U3, and YUS5; and a couple of Mason & Hamlin 50" uprights. (I also set the hook for upgrade thinking by playing some very nice grands by Yamaha, Steinway, Mason & Hamlin, and other makers.)

If all other things were equal, I could accept the YUS5 or a 50" M&H instead of the N2, but the N2 is significantly less expensive. (And then there are the additional N2 features....)

So that's where I think I'm headed. What I most hope is that I'll catch the bug the same way that all of you have, and that we'll be able to have another discussion in a couple of years about my upgrade.

In the meantime, how do I find a great teacher who really wants to teach an enthusiastic adult beginner?

Thanks again!

This question drew my attention because I'm an enthusiastic adult looking for lessons from the best available teacher too. (I'm not a beginner though). I had a hard time convincing the best teacher in town to listen to me play before making a decision. In any case, many good teachers would be willing to teach you. Look at the local music teachers' association listing for a start. You might also google for the results of recent local competitions, etc. The good teachers usually enroll their students in these and also achieve results (I'm not saying that the ones who don't are necessarily less qualified to teach.. I'm sure there are great teachers who might not send their students to many of these competitions).

Andrew, what group(s) do you play with?

One of my dearest friends, Michelle S., is a violist from Chicago and (later) Julliard who has been playing in Amsterdam for some years.

Thanks so much for your comments!