Hi all, I am new to the forum but have visited the site a few times before.

Anyhow, I need some opinions and suggestions from you guys if possible. Here's my 'issue' ..

I've been planning on purchasing the Yamaha YPG625 Portable Grand for quite some time now, maybe 3-5 months or so? I had my mind set on buying it as soon as I saved up enough money. Now with the (Chinese) New Year holiday approaching, I'll be nearing or reaching my goal of 780.00 (price at AmericanMusical).

However, I'm now starting to have second thoughts about it. 780.00 is a lump sump of money, money that I could use to buy say, a downgraded keyboard (I've slightly considered just getting they YPG225 ~ est. $300), a Snare Drum (100ish), and an Acoustic Guitar (~ est. 150 - 200); in other words, alot of other instruments and/or stuff I've been wanting to buy.

There are positive aspects both ways. If I choose to buy the ypg625, I'll have the keyboard that I've been longing for. I've done alot of research on it online, watched videos, and tried it out at Guitar Center (it was pretty amazingg).

If I go the other way..I also get what I want I guess, but it's not what I've been 'wanting' persay. I don't know..any comments, suggestions? on what I should do?

My other option for a keyboard is the ypg225, 76 keys and lightly weighted keys. I really love the realistic feel of the ypg625 though. I've been practicing with my very old Yamaha keyboard that I got when I was maybe 10, 11? years old. I mean, I love the ol' thing but it's hard to learn/play new/full songs when there aren't even 30 keys available. I feel like I will be pretty committed (self-taught) once I buy one, and not just throw it to the side after a few months of play.

help?

This seems to pretty much answer your question. What's the point of paying $300.00 for the YPG-225 when you will likely just regret not getting the 625? Just continue saving for the guitar and snare drum - I suspect the keyboard will keep you occupied and happy until then.

Also, the YPG-225's keys felt cheap, and didn't impress me at all. The 225 doesn't seem to come with a stand, so don't forget to add that to the price.

The sad truth is 800.00 US is not a lot for a keyboard.

You will be living with your purchase for many years. Think of the thousands of hours. I hear ya on getting the most for the least, but every time (I mean EVERY TIME) I do that, I regret it and end up getting what I wanted to begin with anyway.

My advice is get the 625 and never look back. A snare drum and guitar will be "reachable" in any case in time, but 300 on a keyboard that is not what you want means when you do get the 625, it will cost you a total of almost 1100 for two keyboards and you will more than likely only use the 625.

In my experience, it's cheaper to get what you really want the first time.

EDIT - Another thought... with the tightening economy, see if the dealer will "sweeten the deal" and toss in an inexpensive guitar and/or snare drum. Ya never know until you ask, and most places have "cheaper" inventory that might make them willing to close a sale...

i'd suggest new P85 instead, which is selling online for $600. i wouldn't bother with anything less than having weighted keys, such as YPG225, not worth it, because you'd get tired of it very quickly and want to spend more for a better one.

I agree with signa on looking at the P85 as an alternative to the YPG625. It depends on what you want in a keyboard. The P85 has 64 note polyphony and an optional 3 pedal unit that attaches to the optional stand making it more piano-like (and almost as much as the YPG625). On the other hand the 625 has many more voices, and if you do end up waiting a while on your other instruments, you can at least enjoy the "imitations" in the mean time.

Cheers,
Alden

I'm pretty sure that I tried out the P85 the same time I tried out the YPG625. It was a very nice keyboard indeed but I like the many functions that Yamaha offers. This includes Yamaha Education Suite. I'm assuming that it (hopefully) will be pretty helpful when I continue teaching myself, alongside websites, books, friends, etc etc..

I guess that's true about getting the YPG225. I looked it up again and it is $349.98 with free S&H along with the Survival Kit. Including the bench it'll probably round up to the upper 300's, possible 400. Now that you guys mentioned it, my best bet is to probably just buy the YPG625. My sister recommends me downgrading a few, due to the lack to space in my room and cost. I understand her point of view, it's probably a small factor as to why my mind keeps shifting back and forth.

However,.. I think*, that if I rearrange some furniture, it just might fit. I prefer putting it in my room rather then the living room, for convenience purposes (no one else plays). This would be another case in where the 225 would be a better choice, but not by a whole whole lot.

I'm okay with the 32 polyphony. I'll be learning & playing current age/pop/love songs for the most part, no classical.

Options: Buy the YPG625 this month or early next month after finally saving up enough money. (and then be poor again)

or

Buy the YPG225, a snare drum, an acoustic guitar, and, er, Rubik's Cubes! (I collect them) That would total around, ~700 also. (and also be poor again, haha)

Where I am now - Yamaha YPG625 - 75% of me is telling me to buy
25% of me is still telling me to go with all of the nice instruments

Ohhh decisions!

I'll be happy to recieve any more thoughts you guys have on this. They have all been very helpful so far.

This post is getting to long.. I need to finish signing up for the SAT's (woo). Thanks for the input

I am a newbie to this site...get the Yamaha YPG675...I got mine yesterday at Guitar Center..they're marking them down in price in anticipation of the 635...I guess...Good Luck...guitars and such can always be had later...once you're addicted there will always be something else on your musical horizon...and on your list...it never goes away...lol....take care!

I was browsing around on this website and saw this thread..

http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/6/4223.html

So here we go again..

Should I wait alllll the way until June to buy it with the upgraded polyphony or just buy it within the next few months and live with a slight regret?

This would happen to me, haha.

YPG635 is sold on some sites now, see here for example:

http://www.interstatemusic.com/webapp/wc...uctId=900202025

assuming you going to use your piano for a few years at least and will not change it every year, why not add to 1000$ and get a better instrument which will carry you on for years? just a question. buying some thing with a dream of upgrading in future is often a bad idea. also, waiting for a newer model makes sense only when you know what you exactly looking for or when you expect deep discounts on older models.

Go for the ypg625..........do it only for the touch/feeling.
You will regret when you do'nt buy it.

I own a dgx620 (that is the same) and I am still enthousiastic after nearly one year........

Best regards,
JohanB

I don't have an extra 1,000 dollars to spare.

The price of the 635 seems to be a bit more expensive. It's 799.99 on Andy's Music Online and I'm not sure if tax is included. I can preorder it now but it says that it won't be released until June. I don't know if I can hold it out for that long. Also, I'll be leaving for school next year. The longer I wait, the less time I'll have to play with it.

To wait another 5 months seems so dreadfully long..


The Yamaha YPG-635 is an 88-key weighted graded hammer action portable keyboard. Upgrades from the previous model include 64-note polyphony, a beautiful matching bench and an optional three-pedal unit,

Was there an optional three-pedal unit with the 625?

Just to confirm and clarify - the YPG635 is scheduled for availability in June for $799. The matching bench is available as an upgrade now, but the three pedal unit doesn't currently exist for the 625. Based on the three pedal unit for the P85, the optional unit for the 635 will probably be about $69.

The YPG625 has been wildly popular, easily outselling all other 88-note weighted instruments.

Cheers,
Alden

I've had my YPG625 for about a year. On the whole I'm very pleased with it. I like the weighted hammer action a lot and find it easy to switch to an acoustic piano, although the YPG625 has a somewhat lighter action than many other digital pianos. I really enjoy the extensive voices as well. Initially I bought a cheap non-weighted keyboard but couldn't stand it after a week or two. Yes, the YPG625's polyphony is limited and you're restricted to a sustain pedal AFAIK. The YPG625 is also touted as a 'portable' grand, but it's pretty bulky and heavy (though less than something like a Clavinova or YDP223 and of course it's light compared to an acoustic). If you need an instrument now, I'd suggest going with the YPG625.

I'm have the same problem too.. confuse to buy the YPG 625 now or wait for YPG 635..

YPG625 = DGX620 does it means YPG635 = DGX630??

I don't think I can wait until June to buy it. As much as I'd like to have the 'newest' features it seems like too long of a wait. 32 polyphony should be enough for me. As for the pedal(s), I read that the one that comes with it isn't very good. If that's correct, is there another one that I could purchase? If so, for what price?

Thanks

The pedal supplied with the YPG625 is cheaply made and doesn't resemble a piano pedal. Yamaha makes better quality FC4 and FC3 pedals for its DPs. I don't know which is better or is definitely compatible with the YPG625 (probably both would work). The cost is in the range of $30-$35 US.