I like the Casio digital uprights. I own
an AP-31 (700.00) and I'm very satisfied with it.
The AP-24 (~725.00) is almost identical. The
AP-45/AP-38 (~1000.00) is the next model
in the line. No other well-known brand has
models in this same price range with the same
features. These all have weighted hammer
action keys, custom-fitted stand, built-in
pedals, and standard computerized features
like record and playback, MIDI, harpsichord,
organ, etc. All upright syle digital pianos
have built-in speakers, with sound
electronically sampled from an acoustic
concert grand piano. I personally consider
the Casio weighted keyboard to be the best
among all digitals in re-producing the
intrinsic feel of an acoustic piano.
In the past I owned an early model Korg
digital upright, and its sound was exceptional.
I didn't buy one of the new Korg uprights
when I was shopping 6 mos. ago because I
wanted to try something different. But I'm
sure the new Korg uprights are also excellent,
especially with regard to sound. Another
brand I considered while shopping was
Suzuki. They have an impressive-looking
line of digitals. See:
http://www.keyboardamerica.com/suzuki.htm Kurzweil also has some nice-looking digital
uprights which I considered. Roland and Yamaha
also have impressive lines of uprights. Yamaha
is the biggest seller followed by Roland.
The keyboard unit on the upright type of
digital unbolts from the custom stand, but
it is heavy, as much as 75 lbs. on some models,
so the upright style is not meant to be
unbolted once it is in place. It is intended
to be used like an acoustic upright piano
in your living room. The stand is about
40 lbs.
When shopping I also considered going the
stage piano route, that is, a portable type
of keyboard of about 25-50 lbs. that you
use on an tubular metal stand. This is
designed to be easily portable, unlike
the upright type. These sometimes don't
have built-in speakers, and you also have
to use a detachable pedal. Note that neither
the upright or stage piano type comes with
a bench normally, and you'll have to also
buy that separately.
Another route you could go is to get a synthesizer
type of keyboard and use it like a stage
piano. A synthesizer looks like a stage
piano, but it is designed differently internally.
The reason you might go this route is that
synthesizers seem to have the top-of-the-line
sound quality and extra-smooth key action.
They are also snazzier overall in looks
than a stage piano.
