Here is a link to a thread I made in the "Adult Beginner's Forum". It pertains to a couple of issues, but the one I am addressing here is information and opinions, pros/cons of the Casio CDP100. I am interested in learning how to play, but don't want to spend big bucks. I am willing to be patient to find a used digital piano, but it almost may be better to go with a cheaper, new digital piano.

http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/32/1783.html

Musician's Friend link-http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_id/142275

Casio site link-http://www.casio.com/products/Musical_Instruments/Traditional_Digital_Pianos/CDP100/

Casio CDP100 with stand and pedal-$499

Keyboard - 88 Keys
Action - Hammer Action Keyboard
Touch Response - 3 Sensitivity Levels, Off
Maximum Polyphony - 32-Note
Tones - 5 Tone
Sound Source - HL Sound Source
Stereo Piano - Yes
Layer - Yes
Demo/Songs - 5
Transpose - Yes
Tuning - Yes
MIDI - In-Out
I/O - Phones, Sustain
Audio System - (6 x 12cm oval) x 2
Output - 8W+8W
Power - DC12V
Weight - Less Than 12.0 kg
Pedal - SP-3

A few questions.

Any way to find out the dimensions of this baby? I've been trying to figure out how to fit this in my room. I have one arrangment planned out, but it'd help to know the length and width.

Also, what is "Hammer Action"? Does that mean it is weighted?

i guess this is the same as Casio Privia 100 (PX100). i tried one before and didn't like the action that much. you probably want to try it out at some store before buying it.

'hammer action' is refering to the simulation of acoustic piano's hammer/string action. this Casio model's action is not that great, simply because it's the lowest cost of digital piano brand.

Eh..I have no idea what you're talking about. In the 2nd paragraph in the description of "hammer action".

Any other opinions about this though as far as relative quality. Considering I am only thinking about taking piano lessons (and would need a piano to hone my learned skills), would this suffice?

I'm kind of in the same boat here, and I too have been looking at the Casio PX100. Considering I've never played the piano and I'm on a limited budget (I'm a student), would this offer me the most bang for my buck? Or is there another digital piano for around $500 that would offer me a more realistic hammer action?

My last question is this: how far of a leap is it going to be from the PX100 to an acustic piano? Will it be manageable, given proper adjustment time and all?

I am not answering your question, but I'd just point out that the PX-100 has been superseded by the PX-110, and you should be able to get it for the same price, unless the PX-100 is on a special closeout. The PX-100 has two recorded volume levels per note; the PX-110 has three.

sorry, my description isn't that clear to you. ok, let me get down to some details.

have you ever seen an acoustic piano, especially the grand one which you'd see at a concert hall? when the lid of a grand piano opened, you could see all that strings lined up under the lid and keyboard of course. what you couldn't see from the outside is that there's a small hammer like mechanism located underneath each key. when a key is pressed, the attached hammer will then strike the connecting string (which's different in length so that it would sound in the frequency as the key is supposed to sound). such action (mechanism) associated with keys, strings, hammers and connecting parts inside a piano is generally called "Hammer action".

a digital piano's action is just a simulation of such action in acoustic pianos. if you have ever tried to play on an acoustic piano, you'd feel 'weight' (or little resistance) when you strike a key because it initiates the 'hammer' under the key which then strikes the connecting string. so, a digital piano's mechanics is to simulate such 'weight/resistance' so that it feels like playing on an acoustic piano somehow.

Any more opinions on this or anyone who has tried it out before?

I don't think the Guitar Center near me has this one in their store. I saw it on www.musicansfriend.com even though Guitar Center owns the site, but being a store that doesn't carry ONLY pianos, they're not going to have a very wide selection of digital pianos...probably 5-10 different kinds..if that.

As for the PX 100 OR 110, even though they run about the same price as the CDP100, neither comes with a stand. I'm wondering what the quality of the stand that comes with the CDP100 is. One stand I found for the PX 110 ran almost $80, or around there..$50-$80 range.

Firstly, have you ever been to a Guitar Center retail store? They have a keyboard section that has more than five different brands, let alone models; I'd say there's at least 20 different keyboard models there, that being a conservative estimate. Don't let the "Guitar Center" name fool you, they sell a lot more things than that (Drums, DJ equipment, Professional studio engineering equipment, etc). Secondly, you're thinking way too hard about your first keyboard. Since you've already brought up Casio, I'll suggest this keyboard:

RadioShack Link

RadioShack sells a stripped down version of the Casio CDP100 without any Casio badges for pretty cheap, but believe me it's a good keyboard, especially for $300--you really can't beat it. I suggest you buy the keyboard, buy a universal stand--I actually have an decent, sturdy RadioShack stand you can have If you want it--you won't be out much money and you'll have a decent set-up for learning to play.

I'm a beginner but i say - better a Casio then no instrument. Shure, i tried a casio in a shop and in direct comparison to a GH3 from yamaha, its not that good. But it is much better then the keys from a cheap keyboard.

If you cant pay more - go for the casio or just look around for a used one for that price.

Cheers, Bit

Appreciate your help a lot!! That's a nice pretty penny I'd be saving there and makes me not have to think too hardly about buying a piano.

Any way you'd be able to get that stand to me? If you live in the area, I'd be happy to pick it up. Or, paying the shipping to send it to me if it's in good shape and that is less than the cost of a new stand. You'd be surprised w/ shipping fees. I had to pay a LOT for shipping a PC...about $150... Main reason though..was that it was electronic and more fragile than a stand.

Take care and thanks again for the insight.

~~Dave~~

No problem. I can send the stand to you whenever you'd like, but I have to find it first. I had a car accident recently so 1)[/b] I can't walk for a while and 2)[/b] my parents moved a lot of the things out of my room, that includes the stand; so give me a little time to locate it and I'll be happy to ship it out to you. PM me with your address when you're ready.