I've been shopping for a digital piano for my church, to have as an alternate sound to the organ that is currently there. I direct the adult choir and also accompany them during rehearsals. My first inclination was to get an acoustic piano, but the parish budget is somewhat limited, as is the amount of available space. So the next best choice is a digital, as it would take up a small area, and also save the expense of regular tunings and maintenance.

I was trying out Yamahas, Korgs, Rolands, etc. and came across a Viscount "Allegro" (manufactured in Italy) at one of the local piano dealers. I thought the piano sound was very good, and the keyboard/action was "close" to an acoustic feel. The piano is constructed out of real wood and appears to be very sturdy, which would be important in an institutional setting. It has about 10 different sounds (a couple of grand pianos, electric piano, harpsichord, strings, pipe organ, guitar and bass), enough for a nice variety of sounds. It sells for about $2K, a little less on the internet.

Obviously the brand is not as well known as the aforementioned companies. Does anyone have any information about Viscount, good or bad, that might help me to make a better decision? I'd hate to waste the church's money on a lemon.

Thanks for your help,

Rick

Take the church's money and run away fom the Viscount! Run away, run away! Are you still sitting there reading this?! Run away I tell you!

All kidding aside, in total seriousness, do not buy this piano. I used to have them in my store, and had nothing but serious issues with them. Good luck with the search!

Luke's Dad,

Thanks for the warning. From your experience can you recommend something that would be a reliable instrument, within the $2K budget?

I looked at the Yamaha web site, just to get an idea. They have too many categories to choose from (YDP, CLP, CVP) - it's confusing!

Thanks again,
Rick

For church use in the 2K budget, you want to look at the Yamaha CLP series, Roland HP1 and HP2, and Technics PX series. Also, Kawai has some nice models, but Yamaha, Roland, and Technics are the most popular. Good luck!

Don't forget Korg or Kurzweil.

Over the years I've had one Roland and two Yamahas, with no trouble at all from any of them. Yamahas have a particular reputation with gigging musicians as real tanks, having been dropped down stairs and continuing to work. I don't do that to mine, but my 8 and 10 year old kids, and their friends, do bang away.

One thing you might consider, if anyone in your church is handy at cabinetry, is any of the above-mentioned vendors' stage pianos. They come with no legs, stands, or cabinets, and you'll have to add your own speakers and amplification. But you won't have to put up with some of the unappealing fake wood patterns that get slapped on by the vendors as they try to make the piano more furniture-like.