I like the sound of both Roland and the Yamaha pianos, so I have narrowed down my search to the RG-1 and the CLP-265GP. The models above(CLP-295GP and the RG-3) seem wonderful, but are out of my price range. And comments on these pianos would be great. Thanks

The CLP-265GP is mostly equivalent to the CLP-230, but with a more powerful amplifier (and the "GP" cabinet, of course).

That puts it near the bottom of the Clavinova line (and the bottom of the **previous** generation at that).

Are you sure you want the GP look? The CLP-240/270/280, or the newer CLP-330/340/370/380 are better pianos.

There's some information here:
http://www.pianoworld.com/ubb/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/topic/6/4908.html
Note that the thread is a year old, so the price information found there is out of date ... I think $4000 is way too high for the CLP265GP.

RG1 is HP207 in a baby grand cabinet. Sounds very nice and good keyboard.

But...

I find the 265GP looks far nicer and more like a real piano than the RG1 finish. RG1 looks like it comes from IKEA.

i don't think CLP265GP worth trouble, since its specs are toward the low end side. if you like GP look, consider either CLP295GP or the new CVP409GP.

I like the RG1, as I really do like the traditional piano -- horizontal, not upright.

I played it a few months ago, right after it got to my dealer.

But, comparing function to function and keeping it in the family, the HP207 would be the winner. The RG1 would be a luxury.

As for the finish, I'm not sure comparing it to flatpack (ikea) furniture is quite correct.. but it is most definitely not the finish you'd find on a real grand piano, or even on the truly hi-end Roland grands.

The finish on the RG-1 I saw is satin black, and it was very elegant. Overall it is something I would have for a piano... if I had that kind of cash to burn. I'm sure a lot of you are wanting glossy black, but I'm not sure that'd look good on a piano so unconventional as the RG1. I really do think satin's the way to go on digitals.

The action is PHAII with fake ivory keytops, the speakers are on the "soundboard" facing up into the lid, which can be opened and adjusted, and would serve the same purpose as on a real piano -- to change how the sound is projected towards the audience.

Put another way, if I had this kind of cash to burn with no regrets, and I had to choose between the 207 and the RG1, I'd go RG1. But if $ is a factor, the 207 is a runaway value leader.

Now i'll just mosey over to my very entry level 201 and try to forget how nice that 207/RG1 ivory keyboard feels

If you are going for performance and sound quality. RG1 wins hands down, the specs on the 265 are not as good and the RG has a superior keyboard.

If you are going for looks, 265 wins by a mile, I don't like the look of the RG1 that much (I've seen it displayed right next to the considerably more expensive RG3 and RG7). RG1 has this matt, rough satin finish that feels like a kitchen worktop and the build quality doesn't feel piano like. Overall it looks like a "barebones and down to basics" designed grand.

To correct stringless, the main speakers are actually facing downwards towards the floor and the tweeters face up from the soundboard.

Otherwise I agree with stringless, despite my complaints of the RG1 cosmetics, RG1 is still nicer looking than the HP207. Both are better than the 265 for performance, sound and keyboard feel.

It\'s more than just tweeters on the soundboard.

Another look at the larger speaker on top.

It also has speakers facing down, as you say.

But look just left of the music rest, through the gap the lid forms against the rest of the piano -- you can see a large speaker there. My memory says about 6 inches, the spec sheet says 20cm (almost 8 inches.)

So really, it has speakers everywhere. The spec sheet says 20cm X 2, and 5cm x 2. As the photos above show, a 20 cm (not quite 8 inches) and a 5cm sit on top.

(well, you can't see the 5cm in the pix above, but you can in just about every single roland promo shot.. way to *not* highlight the features of your products, Roland.. The little speaker is next to the prop rod hinge.)

I don't mean to argue, it's simply that I've spent some time ogling in the metal, and playing it. I want it but finances and level of playing skill says "not yet."

And besides, in these pics you get to see more of it, pictures really don't do this thing justice.

(Pix linked from a 3-rd party, obviously a dealership of some kind, but I can't read a word of it.)

Specs never tell the tale entirely. Some systems opperate more effeciently. You've got to listen carefully to the tone and feel the touch yourself. Both are good instruments and have dedicated followings.

I have no experience with the Roland, but we got our CLP-265GP in mid December. Granted, it is considered 'entry level', as it is basically the CLP-230 in diguise.
Yes, a CLP-295GP would have been nice, but for an additional $3K...the 265 is more than enough for our needs for several years to come.