Good day all. Has anybody tried these two units? I'm looking to buy one but before I do I would like your advice.

First and foremost I'll be using it for the piano but the extra features on the CVP-405 really appeal to me. As a piano, is the CLP-380 much better? How does the touch and sound compare between the 2? I would like the features on the CVP but I don't want to sacrifice much on the piano.

Your input will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

If you like the bells and whistles that the
CVP-405 offers, then that should be the
choice, since the CLP-380 couldn't compare
in that department--CLP's are more of
a pure piano. Moreover, the 380 is about
$500 (US) more expensive.

With it's wood keys and simulated ivory
keytops the 380 would apparently be much closer
to a grand piano. However, there is
apparently some problem with wood keys
on digital pianos: these give a feel more
like an acoustic piano, but with it you
also apparently get acoustic piano-type
problems, like sticking keys. The 405's
action wouldn't be as realistic, but it
would be more than adequate for any kind
of playing.

However both of these pianos are in the $5000
price range, which is high, in my opinion,
when you can get a good digital piano for less
than $1000. And you might get tired of the
bells and whistles on the 405 after
a few months.

the main differences (besides the extras on CVP):

CVP405:
action - GH3
dynamic sampling - 4 level
iAFC - none
2 x 40w + (16cm + 5cm) x 2 amp/speaker system

CLP380:
action - NW with ivory top
dynamic sampling - 5 level
iAFC
New tri-amp system 2 x 60 watt plus 2 x 20W


sound wise, CLP380 is superior and well worth the money imo. but if you're looking something other than that, you might want to get a CVP. for comparable action and iAFC, you'd look at CVP407/409.

The 380's Natural Action uses a different mechanism. That's more important than wood keys.
If piano is your priority, the Natural Action is receiving positive comments and the additional sampled layer increases the possibilities for expressive playing.

Thanks for your time.

"And you might get tired of the bells and whistles on the 405 after a few months."

I've been thinking about this and I guess you are right. I've been self teaching myself piano for the last 4-5 months and eventhough the extras on the CVP may seem fun, you would only think that the novelty will wear off at some point and you're then just left with the piano. It could also be distracting from my practice.

So i've had another thought, but I don't know what i'm getting myself into with this one. What if I went for an acoustic piano, such as the Yamaha U1? How much of a hassle would owning one be, if you could call it that? What are the costs of maintaining one? Also is the higher price worth it for a new one, or is second hand fine?

The price difference between a CLP-380 and U1 is pretty significant but I am willing to pay the extra as I'm sure I will be getting many more years of play out of it.

Thank you

IMO, your only criteria should only be what you find beautiful.

In my case, I own a Yamaha S90ES and, while I've tried out the 409-- and think it's awesome, I can't justify its price since my S90ES is want I need: portability; great sounds and weighted keys.

Moreover, I rarely use the non-piano sounds.

IMO, something like the 409 would be more suitable for arrangers since, in my case, I don't have those skills and, thus, I can only use one MIDI voice at a time. Moreover, when I've used prewritten MIDI arrangements, I tend to like them for about a week.

Hence, I'd recommend that you only worry about something that's modestly priced and, as your music theory skills improve, and your piano skills improve, then get a better instrument.

I say this because my father was a musician and he could make any instrument sound beautiful.

In my case, I will only consider a different instrument after I play the advanced version of "Cannon in D" and " Rondo e Cappricio " as well as a few other pop pieces.

This method has been good for me since I'm focusing on what's important: memorization; music theory; rhythm; phrasing; listening; sight reading; etc... I also read books on notation; the developmental psychology of music; and tips from the masters!

Under ideal conditions an acoustic piano
would be great, but things are often far
from ideal. Acoustic pianos cost more,
and there is considerable expense associated
with them. You will need to hire a moving van
just to get it into, and out of, your
house. They need tuning, and tunings run
about $150 (US) each, and you'll need at
least two per yr. Tuning is tricky
and an art, and there are not many tuners
who can do it properly. Some tuners today
are rude and/or incompetent, and it can
become an unbearable hassle dealing with
them. Acoustics need frequent maintenance
and repair; for example, sticking keys
are a common problem. And the thing that
bothers me the most about them is the
fact that the tuning pins are held in place
in a wood pin block with friction only--
what happens if the pins start to slip
in their holes?

Also, an acoustic piano can be heard a block
away. If you live in an apt., condo, or
townhouse, an acoustic piano is out of the
quesiton, because the neighbors will not
tolerate it.

We sell more Clavinovas than any dealer in the country. I cannot remember a single service call related to sticky keys on the NW action.

The sound system, action, and sampling pushes the CLP380 to the top for pure piano performance.

The recreational properties of the CVP's are dramatic for the whole family.

That's why I like my S90ES so much since I had to constantly humidify my guitar; the digitals are always in tune and ready to go.

Get a real piano, you'll never regret it.

No matter how good or expensive the digital is, it'll never be the same as a real piano.

I'm very lucky, I have both. If I could only keep one, my FP-7 would be in a skip in the blink of an eye.

Hi

Like you I've been playing for about five months. After trying many options including the CVP range, I went for the CLP 340.

In terms of pure playability the 380 will be far superior. And I think you're right; you'll soon get bored of playing with the additional gadgets and then it will be down to pure piano playing.

I found the CLP to have a much nicer feel and sound than the CVP.

My Opinion: CLP 380 all the way!

Mark

Dear Gamal,
Spend some more time playing each of the instruments you are considering. Even though you have not played long. You will still have a prefernce in tone. I also noticed that you live in England. If you have a great deal of dampness, you may experience more sticky keys than if you were in a drier climate. In Southern California, I can't ever remember having a sticky key issue on a digital although we have had some issues with acoustic pianos located near the ocean. But, you can have a Dampp Chaser system installed if you have sticky key problems on an acoustic piano. As far as getting tired of the features on the CVP, can't imagine that either. Hasn't worn off for me in ten years. I always enjoy the accompaniment features. But, we are all different. Consider the use of earphones. Is this important? Picture the piano in your home, what do you see yourself playing? Spend a half hour or more with each of the pianos. Really give them a test drive. You'll probably like one more than the others. Good luck!
Sincerely,
Jennifer

Hello,

As Jeniffer has written, if you'd be using mostly headphones I'd go for the CVP-405, because the main difference for the CLP-380 is the iAFC which is useless with headphones.

The only thing I've seen with regard to the 380 action just calls it "Natural Wood" and makes it sound the same as the 409 (or 407 without the synth ivory tops). Is there a new action for the 380?

I'd agree that if what one was after was getting as close to the acoustic experience is possible, I'd forgo the whizzbangs of the cvp and get the clp. Whether the difference in "real piano'ness" between a 380 or 405 matters to the OP is really up to them.

The 407 might be a good compromise since it has the upgraded action (Nat Wood), iAFC, etc (looks like the main diff is in the amps and 5 vs 4 level sampling?) but all the whizzbang cvp features. Though it sounds like this might be getting outside of the OP's intended budget.

i hope for the sake of the buyers that the samples of the cp280 are better than those of teh yamaha clp-280

i was in store and im amateur but the piano sounded very good... nothing to point out except a kind of mecanic sound that you ear from the keys when you release them (that is annoying and distracts from the beautyfull tone the piano has... what is the name of that click ?? i dont like (i hope that casio ap-500 doesnt have it.!!


the strings are bad the harpsichord terrible and the organ good

guitar also good

but they tend to make a digital noise when you release a key as a kind of distortion!

what is that?

the power of the system really works and the timbre/tone is of very good quality as a piano its good the touch is not very heavy (acceptable)

I've been looking at these two series in detail the last few days actually. The 'Super Articulation' voices on the CVP are quite simply astounding. but when you sit at one you cant help feel a bit like Captain Kirk on the bridge of the Enterprise !

For my money the CLP is a much better long-term buy. The extra level of sampling, The iAFC, The Tri-Amp system, better action and the true CF sampling are all features the CVP has to sacrifice in order to fit all those fancy sounds in.

definetly go for the CLP. unless your into mixing, sampling and DJing and in that case there are probably better options than the CVP from Korg.

Smoke,
The thread you are responding to is eight months old.

Actually it's 20 months old ... dating back to 2008.

lol whoops. didnt see that !

thanks for the heads up !

Everyone seems to say that "you'll get bored of all the bells and whistles", but for me that has not been the case at all with my CVP-407. There are so many great rhythm/instrument combinations, and I probably spend a good 20% of my time playing using either a non-piano instrument or a background rhythm. The guitars, organs, synths and some woodwinds are especially good.

I know the Super Articulation and Mega Voices are very very impressive and Im sure it is lots of fun playing with the auto accopanyment etc but Id just be bewildered and distracted sitting at something with so many buttons and that massive display infront of me.

Id much rather trade all the high tech stuff for a better piano sound. but thats just me. I dont want much from a DP other than that.