Amazes me the guys who chip in with derogatory comments! I can see this being one of the most popular postings. So the OP has something right! I think it`s a good question for those who are still bewitched by antiquity enough to sell their souls to it . . . Well, actually, buy. Because you never stop paying with an acoustic . . .

That's because it is. Every week, a new "which one is closer" or "this or this" thread.

I say that out of love. I know this is what forums are [used] for - but it does get a bit tiresome.

Nothing replaces in-person judgment and personal taste.

If you close your eyes and listen carefully, you can hear Gyro's suggestion ...

Perhaps we should just make the entire forum "read only" and instead of a "like" button we could have an "incense" button where people could demonstrate their humble and respectful reverence for the infallible and unsurpassed wisdom contained in the posts already existing?

I took a break from this place for quite a while. Did me good. perhaps some of our other esteemed contributors would be well-served by a time-out? No sense getting your blood pressure up over something so unimportant.

Not impressive until they provide -110 to +110. The volume control is probably only 0-10 instead of 0-11 too!

I miss Gyro ... He was the village idiot but at least he was entertaining and he was our village idiot ...

Thing is, most asking for advice are new. So the questions will always be similar. One does not have to answer. But verbal pugilistics are fun.

The volume control dial has very fine stepped notches. I counted to 111 before I nodded off......

I wonder sometimes if people who have no interest in playing acoustic pianos might be better off just looking for and buying a DP whose sound and action they like, rather than one that seems closest to that of an acoustic piano, with its over-resonant muddy sound (especially as soon as you put your foot on the pedal) due to too much soundboard and cross-resonances, graded keyweight and 'notchy' key action due to the escapement mechanism. The latter two are purely artifacts of the mechanical nature of an acoustic piano. Reading through many posts from DP users, it appears that many people want clear, clean, bright sound from their DPs, which isn't what you get from acoustics.

So, why bother to look for the 'closest' thing to an acoustic if you don't play on acoustics?

Who else could play all of those "concertos" and "jazz" on a $600 Williams digital?

You mean Big-Time Romantic Era Piano Concertos?

The secret is playing them one bar at a time, slowly.

@bennevis,

I do agree with what you say here, as digital pianos offer a lot to the player in their own right, as comparisons to acoustics do not have to be made if you happen to like the digital that you have tried, or, want to buy.

Also, the escapement (or, let-off) feature is not that important either if you want a nice and smooth weighted action without the click/notch simulation. Many digitals (like my lowly Kawai EP3) play just fine, without it.

Well, this is the dp AND KEYBOARDS forum.

There used to be a movement of people learning keyboard instead of piano ( just like there was a movement before that of people learning home organs ). Here we seem to get mostly people wanting a piano substitute on the cheap, a silent practice instrument or a gigging instrument.

Absolutely... until you can master the piece, 10 years later.

Escapement is vital to sensitive playing of classical music, if that is your background.

I agree, but it isn't most people's background here.

I always find it very odd that Clavinovas don't have the escapement 'notch' feel, yet (apparently) they're used as practice instruments in many music colleges, including the RCM and RAM.

However, the older (now obsolete) CLP-990 does have the escapement simulation, although this is a digital I am looking for now (in my other post) although I am afraid it is going to be quite difficult to find one, since it dates from 2001.

Here is a video that demonstrates the escapement:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D62G49_Rws

Go to the 55 and 1:10 second marks.

Hmm, I wonder if you didn't get my joke, or if I don't get yours ....?

The Clavinovas in RNCM are all quite old and were probably not the best of their range when they were bought either. I can't speak for RCM and RAM.

My Yamaha PSR 225 has a pretty nice piano sound
Ok its old but so am I, and I cant have a piano at the moment...

Some people are sick of people who are sick of people.

Sounds like a Streisand number.

I didn't know about such a resemblance, but at the end I'll have to pay heavy royalties to her for this...

To coin memes is just a privilege - sometimes a rewarding one.

Thank you so much for your replies. The quest to fulfill one's desire and need is
endless. I'm sure without an iota of doubt this topic will help someone realise their need. Bearing in mind as we all strive for perfection, nothing on this planet is perfect.


I'm considering purchasing one between the following shortlist of DP's, Roland V-Piano, Yamaha CLP 480/470 and CP1 due to my budget. Can't afford the following Yamaha N1-3 as I heard they're good range of DPs.

"Kudos to all the sheep amongst the wolves and to the Platos of this forum."
I'm open to your advice.
Regards,
Amos