Hi!

Thanks for all your advice in helping me decide on a digital piano for my son. We have decided to go with Yamaha.

We are almost decided on the Clavinova CLP-150M. There are just a couple of questions that would help clear my doubts.

MY son is six years old......he has been playing a 'keyboard' for the last 4 years and is "still" pretty enthusiastic about playing the piano. The best price we can get on the CLP-150M is $2075.

1. If our basic objective is to ONLY to replicate a "piano sound and feel", would the $1000-$1300, CLP-115/CLP-120/YDP-113/YDP-223 be comparable to the CLP-150? Most dealers mentioned that the CLP-150 has a richer set of features, but the sound (albeit lower wattage!) and feel is the same across the 'YDP' and 'CLP' series (upto the CLP-150!!). Is this true?

2. If the above is true, would you suggest buying a $1000-$1300 piano for a 2-3 year period and then let him (if he's still interested!!) choose his next piano?? This would insulate me in-case he stops playing.

3. OR, do you think it worth spending the extra approx. $800 the CLP-150? In an average skill progression, would the CLP-150 work for him the next 6-8 years??

It would be extremely helpful if you could let me know what you would do if you had these choices?

Would greatly appreciate input from Luke's Dad, Nunatax, and the others.

Thank you!!!


P.S.: We went with Yamaha, because my son liked the feel as compared to the Technics or Roland. We felt he should have a say in his piano.

Most dealers mentioned that the CLP-150 has a richer set of features, but the sound (albeit lower wattage!) and feel is the same across the 'YDP' and 'CLP' series (upto the CLP-150!!). Is this true?[/b]

In the store they might sound the same (bad acoustics most of the time). Be sure to compare them all at the highest capacity. I think you get a more satisfying sound if you have more powerful speakers, the sound goes more "through" you. Especially the very high and very low notes will be affected.

3. OR, do you think it worth spending the extra approx. $800 the CLP-150? In an average skill progression, would the CLP-150 work for him the next 6-8 years??[/b]

Yes, I believe the CLP 150 would work for so long, if not even longer and it is worth the extra $800. But I like the idea of buying a lower model first (since the keyboard and sound generation are the same it won't affect his skills) and letting him choose a better one in a couple of years too. He'll be more experienced by then and will be able to make a better choice that way. This way he won't be stuck with the CLP 150 in case he doesn't like it anymore in a couple of years. Maybe he'll want nothing else but a Steinway by then Or maybe, if you're lucky he'll stick with his CLP 120

Good luck!

Rgds,
Michiel

Thanks Michiel!

I think we might just go with the CLP-150. A little more money, but with the reviews on this forum, I think his future piano/keyboard will add to the CLP-150 rather than replace it. The features (higher Wattage, 3 step DSS, 128 polyphony, Cabinet colors, USB, etc..) of the CLP-150 seem to justify the cost.

Thanks a ton for all your help!!!