I am in my 40's and have decided to take up piano. I played clarinet for many years but always loved piano, so I have decided its now or never. My husband and I went shopping. THE salesman spent about an hour with us demonstrating both the HP1 and HP2. We had pretty much settled on one but decided to check prices at another store first. That store carried Roland, but only the MP series. They showed me an MP5oo. It appears to have everything that the others did, but was actually cheaper than the HP2. I didn't think it sounded as good, but the salesman spent all of about 5 minutes with me and just hit a couple of notes as opposed to actually playing it.

I'm now very confused. Can you please tell me the difference between teh HP and MP series? The MP salesman didn't know the difference, but said that the MP was the professional piano and that their store was only allowed to sell the professional grade instruments.

Also, would anyone have some advice on which one to buy?? Thanks so much. Mishi

The salesperson pitching the MP500 was full of baloney. The MP series is produced by Rolands MI (Musical Instrument) division, the HP series is produced by the CK (Contemporary Keyboard) Division. Yes, the MI department does make Roland's proline keyboards and stage pianos, but the MP series is not among these. There are a number of differences, including Polyphony, the sampling method, the PA5 gravity action, the speaker and sound system, and many more. The MP500 is fine for beginners, but you would need to trade up to a better instrument shortly. The HP2 is an instrument that many schools, universities, and professional choose to use in their studios. It might cost a little more initially, but in the long term can be a better investment as you wouldn't need to upgrade at a later date, and you would find practicing and playing to be a more rewarding experience than on an MP500.

I highly doubt that the MI and CK divisions of Roland use different sampling methods. This wouldn't be cost effective. That said, I'm not suggesting that the MP series is on par with other models. I've never even played the MP series. But there is likely other things at play such as bit depth, etc. in the sound engine.

In Roland's high end, the samples are the same from the HP and KR series, over to their proline. However, in the lower lines (EP for CK and MP for MI) there is a difference in the sample, I believe that the EP and MP series use the same sample. In that lower series, I prefer Yamaha's YDP113 and 223.

Luke's Dad: where did you get that info?