Hi,

I never play piano before, but I've been playing guitar for years, so I do know a little bit about music. I would like to learn how to play Piano for fun, not necessarily go to take exams; however, I do want to practise my fingers in a more realistic "ascoutic piano feel" so that I will not develop too many bad habits.

I start shopping with Casio, Korg and Kawai as they are cheaper. Finally I end up with Roland and Yamaha as both are highly recommended by my friends and dealers. Yamaha has a brighter sound while Roland has a more mellow sound in most's opinions.

I'm in Australia, so the $$ are all Australian dollars.

Normal Price:
=============
Roland HP2 = $A 3,000 or $US 2,220.
Roland HP3 = $A 4,000 or $US 2,965.
Roland HP103 = $A 3,500 or $US 2,600.
Yamaha CLP-130 = $A 4,000 or $US 2,965.

As the new model of Roland HP-103 is available in Australia last week, most prices of the old model drops down dramtically (as dealers want to get rid of old stock of Roland HP series).

Best Deals I have been offered are:

Special Price
===============
Roland HP2 = $A 2,000 or $US 1,485.
Roland HP3 = $A 3,000 or $US 2,220.
Roland HP103 = $A 3,000 or $US 2,220.
Yamaha CLP-130 = $A 3,000 or $US 2,220.

* These are all Brand New in box.

Also, I have been offered an ex-demo (display) of Roland HP3 (very good condition, no scratch)=
$A 2,400 or $US 1,800.

===========================================
So the question are:
* which one should I buy ??? For what reason??
* which one do you think is the best value?
* which one do you think got the best piano sound (given the feel will be different from one piano to another anyway)?

Thanks a lot

Hi, where are you in Australia?
I think you can get the HP7 for between $3000 and $3500 Aus at the moment, you certainly could here in Canberra and it does sound better than the lower range models . The Roland had a light touch and less robust sound which was off putting for me,and I do prefer my own Yamaha (PF500, like CP150, but with smaller speakers and a contemporary case). I'd look at the Yamaha myself, or the HP7 if I was going for Roland. It is my own personal opinion though and lots of posters like the Rolands for their sweet and resonant piano voice.
Good luck.

Hi,
I'm in Melbourne, and I've checked the ex-demo of Roland HP3. They have given me the final price of $A 2,200. That is quite a good deal, considering it was once a $4000 digital piano.

I find that the sound of Roland HP3 is a bit bassy compared to Yamaha CLP-130 which has a brighter sound. However, a new Yamaha CLP-130 or Roland HP3 will cost me $A3,000, so there is quite a big difference in price between $A 2200 (for Roland HP3 ex-demo) and $A 3000 (Yamaha CLP-130).

What is the best price for Yamaha CLP150 by the way? Is there any special discount now for Yamaha CLP150 or CLP130 (less than $3000???).

Thanks

how about PF500? it would be about $2000-2200 (USD), and is almost equivalent to CLP150 in functionality (except without cabinet).

I haven't seen PF500 available here in Melbourne, maybe they stock different models ... How big the difference between CLP130 and CLP150 by the way?? I mean besides the speaker is bigger in power, and the sequencer is 16 track with over 200+ songs recording, does it make any difference to learn how to play piano??

the big difference is that CLP130 has 64 polyphony while 150 has 128 (same as PF500). you can check more details here:

http://www.yamaha.com/yamahavgn/CDA/Cont...53DNEWS,00.html

Have a look at the Hp103 as the piano sound is taken directly from the HP7.

PF500 does not appear to have taken off here in Oz and is now discontinued. I got mine for around $3300 Aus, but in the end paid out around $2100 and traded in my (very old low end) old Yamaha acoustic. If you can find one in Melbourne it is likely to be a good deal as a run out. Equivalent roughly to CLP150 with poorer speakers (but still fine for me, pretty much the CLP130 speakers), also very like P250 which is dearer still at least here. I was lucky to get nearly the last one in captivity and am very happy with it.

I found having the ability to download many midi files to my p250 is helpful in learning to play piano. You can easily hear what the piece should sound like, and you can slow the piece way down to help with figuring out tricky passages.

So can I download Midi into HP103 or HP3 or CLP130???

Using the computer and a MIDI to USB interface the HP103 will play back files!

I don't keep a computer near my p250, so the ability to download midi files to the p250 is important to me: after I download the files, the computer goes back upstairs and I can still play the midi files.

If you keep a computer always connected to your digital piano, then any digital piano should be able to play back midi files.