Well, the best I could buy for $1000 u.s.

I've just recently begun playing the keyboard, and by now I'm at the point where all the pieces I want to play and am actually skilled enough to play require a full 88 key range which my keyboard doesn't have.

Anyway, I'm looking for a keyboard that obviously sounds nice, has the full key range of a typical grand, and also one that allows me to play a variation of tones.

Anyway, yeah. Thank for any help I may receive ^^

Does it have to be portable?

Does it require built-in speakers?

Is it a home unit?

Oh yes, sorry.

Portable is what I want. Same for built in speakers.

Not sure about the home unit part, lol.

depending on what type of action you prefer, you might want to check out Yamaha P140, but it's a little over your budget. there're some other brands in that price range also. my suggestion is going to some music stores or Guitar center to try as many models as possible to see which one you like the best.

Here's some options and all these have speakers(in no particular order):
Yamaha P70
Korg SP-250
Gem prp800
Kawai EP2
Casio PX110/PX310
Yamaha DGX620/YGP625
Roland FP4 (little over budget)
Casio PX200

Add in Casio PX200. This would both be below $1000 and are newer than the PX110/310.

You may also be able to find a Yamaha CP33 just outside that price range. One was on sale at the local guitar center for about $1099 the last time I looked. It may have been a local sale.

The Kurzweil SP88 is $699 at Musician's Friends. It is semi-weighted with fairly decent action. If you want a heavier action, the SP88-x is $849. Below is the site where you can hear the demos.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Kurzweil-SP88-Stage-Piano?sku=701653

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Roland FP4 $1,015 plus ~ $50 shipping.

The Yamaha SO3 is a good one.

rintincop

Where can you find a FP4 for $1,015? I would be really interested in it for that price. I can only find it for the regular price of $1,295... but the stand costs $200, and I'm not sure it includes a pedal. For $1,500 I could look into getting the Roland MP70. Of course the MP70 doesn't have as great of specs as the FP4, but I like it because it's a console DP.

This kind of post is good for seeing what's available, but a trip to MusiciansFriend.com or similar site will give you the same info.

Whatever piano decide on, don't buy without spending some time playing the keyboard first. You're going to find lots of variety in touch and sound.

Best bet is to pick up a good pair of personal headphones, and use them to listen to each piano you play. By the way, stay out of BestBuy, Circuit City, and the other big box stores--these are not pro cans. Look for something like the Sony MDR-7506 or equivalent.

Do a little research before you go. Plenty of user manuals are online, available for download in PDF format from the big 4, Roland, Kurz, Korg, and Yamaha. Download those in your price range and learn how to work the controls on the models you want to look at.

This is also a great way to learn whether or not a certain piano has the feature you're looking for.

Specifically, you want to learn how to a)turn off effects like reverb and chorus, and b) work the EQ settings. You'd be amazed at how different a digital piano can sound at various EQ settings. And you can only judge the tone of a digital sample without the reverb and other effects that munge sound.

Finally, take your time. If you're serious about this, you're going to live with this keyboard for a while. Many who have never played a good digital piano have no idea what they can expect.

For instance, the action of a quality acoustic piano is very forgiving. Players can get by using improper technique indefinitely, however, once they move to a digital action, they soon discover that playing a digital hurts their hands or wrists.

Its best to go to a store during the business day, when kids are in school, folks are at work, music store employees are doing whatever their managers tell them to do, and you can have the keyboard room for yourself.

Bring your headphones, a notebook and a pencil. Write the model numbers of the pianos you play, and take notes. Otherwise you'll never remember what you played and what you thought about it.

When you've surveyed all the instruments on your list, pick a few favorites and go back to confirm your initial findings. By then, you'll be more of a digital expert, and you'll look for specific features, sounds, behaviors. I don't know what this will be for you, but you will know when that time comes.

I spent the better part of a year looking for my digital piano, and then at the last moment, changed my mind and bought a new synthesizer.

Like with all electronics, including PCs, the longer you wait, the more you get for your money.

Last summer I bought the Yamaha S90ES and gave up playing my Kawai studio upright for all intents and purposes, for good.

(For sale, 1996 Kawai NS-20, lovingly cared for, to a good home, please. Applications for adoption being accepted via ipgrunt@gmail.com)

Have fun. Remember, Sony MDR-7506. All the pros use them.

My bad, I meant the Yamaha SO8.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Yamaha-S08-Performance-Synth?sku=700827