Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Digital Pianos - Electronic Pianos - Synths & Keyboards Age of tech vs. quality level for a DP?

JeepnHeel, welcome here.

I'm sorry to hear about your wife's diagnosis. I think with the recommendation to exercise fingers and your wife's interest in piano, it's a perfect solution.

There will be a lot of people here in the digital forum much better qualified to give you advice on the specific DPs. But, I will tell you, that I have recently upgraded from a 'soft' keyboard (as in no action) to a fully graded hammer action DP. It makes a big difference. I'd say that if exercise is the main point, then you should definitely go for the hammer action. My fingers have gotten stronger already in the few weeks I've had the new piano, and I have better control. And this would be the point here as I understand it.

Wait for the experts to weigh in on the piano part. Good luck to you both.

PS: There are no dumb questions in the Piano World

Curiously I began learning the piano about three months ago for reasons similar to your wife's.

While I do not have MS for the last few years my already weak hands have become much worse. I asked one of the physical therapists if playing a piano would be helpful. She nearly blew me over with her enthusiasm for the idea. So let my address the purely physical attributes first.

I say all of the following for one reason; a weighted keyboard may NOT be the wisest choice.

I bought a bottom of the line Casio CDP 230R during Costco's annual Christmas keyboard mania. It does have a weighted keyboard that is very much like a small upright would have.

When I first set it up I played around with it for about two hours before I realized that my hands were cramping up from the effort. The resulting pain would not allow me to play again for nearly two weeks. Since that initial mistake I have learned that playing any longer than about 15 minutes at one time would result in several days (even weeks) of pain and no time on the piano (or computer for that matter).

I now practice nearly first thing in the morning (a man's got have a couple cups of coffee first!) for a timed, and yes I set a timer, 15 minutes. Then during the day I try to practice at least two more times never exceeding the 15 minute rule. This is a bit frustrating, but if I don't observe that rule I end up not being able to play for the next several days. BTW you would be surprised how much you rely on your hands during the day. I found that too much time on the KB made everyday tasks like spending time on the computer or cooking dinner very unpleasant experiences.

I am willing to put up with the 15 minute rule, your wife may not. If that is the case you would be much better off buying a DP with an organ style, i.e. non-weighted keyboard. She would still get a lot of exercise manipulating her fingers without the added loss of energy or strength needed with a weighted board.

Secondly as to your question if you are splitting hairs, well, yup you are. Any of the boards listed in your post are excellent choices. It is more likely than not that any DP you purchase your wife will adapt to in no time at all. Although you may be wise to heed my warning about the effort needed to spend long periods of time practicing.

The CP33 is nothing like as versatile but it is/was a cheaper thing altogether. The RD was Roland's flagship for a few years and it shows.

I found the GH key action on CP33 slightly frustrating in that there is a slightly odd initial inertia to overcome to get the keys moving on the Yamaha action. It gives the subjective impression of (in my opinion) excessive heaviness.

The RD-600 was one of the first digital pianos to go towards a more percussive and agile feel. The Yamahas and Technics pianos of the day were quite stodgy and syrupy by comparison. I think the RD would stand comparison with today's stuff, although as you know it is not a graded action. I don't see that as an issue but some people do.

I'd go RD without a doubt out of the choices you mention but with one important proviso: The RD-600 is getting on now and if you can find one you'll need to be sure it is 100% functional and has been well looked after. Its predecessor the RD-500 had an almost inevitable habit of breaking keys once it got plenty of miles on it. The PA-4 hammer action on the RD-600 was a re-design and undoubtedly superior to the 500's action but nonetheless a well used one will perhaps suffer the occasional breakage. Keys are generally available through eBay and are a relatively easy fix but even so, it's a pain in the arse to have to fix ageing gear!

Don't worry about the Kawai now she's found something she really likes. You'll just muddy the waters. . . . have fun!. These things are great for learning on and will help her fingers too.