Hi Everyone,

my name is Daniel, 26 years, I´m from Germany and many many useful Threads brought me to this fantastic forum.
The reason that I´m writing now is simply the fact, that I want to re-start playing piano after a ~7 years break. Beforehand, I played piano (and subsequently church organ) for about 12 years, but due to my studies, I gave it up completely.

In the last weeks, the idea came up to start again with a digital piano, therefore I read a lot in forums and went to some music dealers in order to find the right one. But some questions are still left which I would like to share with you, maybe you can give me more input...

The criterias for the new piano are:

- good action (however, I think that one can get familiar which most of different keyboard types, accustic pianos also differ from their handling)

- good piano, western piano, and organ sound

- compact (due to space limitations)

- speaker system

- no bullshit (i don´t need split stuff, too many sounds, layers, etc)

- Price: about 1000 Euro (if there is a drastic argument, even more ~1700 Euro...)


When testing in music stores, I liked especially the Roland sounds and the F-110 seemed to fulfill most of my criteria. Moreover, now the F-120 is out and seems to have some mayor improvements (ivory feel, etc) for the same price.
My flatmate owns the KAwai CN43, which is also very cool, but has too much functions/sounds for me and I still prefer the Roland Piano sounds; the alternative would be the CN33, which I also tested and liked really much (better speaker system than F120, but bigger and more expensive).

The question I specifically have right now, is:
Are there sound/action differences between stage pianos and digital pianos? I ask because I also read a lot about Roland Fp4f,fp7f, casio px330, Yamaha P155 but could not test them. Do they have major advantages over F-120, except of the fact that they can be moved easier? Do they have better sounds? Action? Something else?

Moreover, Could you give me some ideas for more Pianos which fit into my criteria?
I do not consider Korg anymore, neither The Kawai CL35. Roland HP30X sounded nice, but needs more space then F120, so I don´t see any advantage of that serie...

I would be very happy about any ideas

Thanks a lot,
Daniel

CL36?

Ahhh I think it was the CL 36 which I tested: I liked the sounds, but: Handling and the fact that it has no keyboard cover makes it less attractive compared to f120.

Many of the stage pianos are similar to their home style brothers but often without speakers, so have (balanced) output connections, more easy access programmability of sounds, loops and patches. Stuff you say you dont want or need. Their lightness and portability is a factor but having said that some are just beasts, for example the FP7F is HEAVY and unwieldy. How often would you plan on moving your DP?

I would say go for the best your budget can afford, as your needs, hearing, feel, will, change as you improve. The CN33 is popular and more piano-like than the F110, but It's your opinion that counts.

My Piano will stay at home; I don´t think that I will be on stage with it, so I would only buy a stage piano, when they would have major advantages over their digital piano brothers...

How about a Casio PX-730/PX-830?

As you say, the Kawai CL36 does not have a key lid - you'd need to move up to a CN23 for that, although the specifications are largely identical.

Cheers,
James
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Hi and thanks for the Casio suggestions...

The px830 looks attractive and from the paper, it seems to be very similar compared to the F-120. If sound and action come close to the roland, i will take it in consideration.
Regarding the Casios: I would definitly favorite the CN 33 over CL 36, because from my feelings, it feels very solid and "piano-like".

Hi guys,


back from some excessive test hours...result: more confused than beforehand.
First I tested the

Roland F-120: Action fantastic (the best i´ve tested so far), but sound with the inbuilt speaker system absolutely terrible. I don´t know what they think while delivering a digital piano with such an onboard sound... With headphones, it sounded quite nice).

Then the yamaha ydp 161: Good sound, handling more or less ok (plastic feeling...), speaker better than roland f120.

Yamaha P155: Nice and very balanced sounds, speaker much better than Roland F120, action feels too unnatural (plastic)

Roland F4p: Sounds ok, keyboard ok

Roland F7p: Sounds very cool, keyboard fantastic

Kawai (CN33,43): I´m still not sure wether I like the typical Kawai sound. Alltogether, these pianos provide a very solid package with good sounds and good action.

casio px330: ok, but nothing special...


Looking on paper, F120 was my absolutely favorite beforehand, but the sound with the speaker is maybe a k.o. criterium, it was even worse than the system of the F110...
What to do now: Spending much more money for the F7p or buy a Kawai (CN33), which would maybe be the most reasonably solution?

Kawai DPs have a Kawai sound.

James
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Sure, that was what i wanted to write

Hello Daniel

I was in your situation about a year ago and ended up buying an FP7-F which I still think is the best value for money DP on the market. It is essentially a HP307 with less amplification and with out the woodwork and cheaper by 1000 euros.

As you say, the keyboard is fantastic and the piano sounds are tweakable via Piano Designer if they are not exactly to your taste. So are the organ sounds by changing the drawbar settings although I have to say that the user interface for this is terrible.

I have had mine for over a year now. I still enjoy playing it. The build quality is great. I play it every day for at least an hour and it has remained reliable, rock solid and the keyboard action is as good as it was brand new. The sounds through the onboard speakers are good enough for general use but much better through a good pair of headphones.

Take into account with your budget that if you buy a stage piano like the FP7-F you will need a good quality even surface or stand to place it on. At first I had it on a cheapo x-stand which wobbled around a lot. I got the dedicated stand for it later which is rock solid.

My advice to you is the same good advice that people gave to me when I was shopping around. Get the DP with the best keyboard action + piano / organ sounds that you can live with. The sounds can always be upgraded via MIDI as technology moves on but you will be stuck with the action until you upgrade the whole thing.

Good luck with your purchase and I hope you enjoy piano playing for many years to come.

Have a happy new year.

Michael

Hi Michael,

thanks a lot for sharing your experiences... The problem is, that I could also live with the sounds of the F120, which action I also liked a lot. I think after a while one can arrange which most of the modern sounds... But still I don´t want to practise with headphones all the time. And the F7p speakers were not great, but much more balanced then these of the F120.

What I did not mention: The man who adviced me in the music store was absolutely convinced of the P155. He said that this is the absolutely Nr. 1 DP around 1000 EUro. Nevertheless I did not really like it, cause it felt very like plastic and also the sounds were not that special at all, but also very balanced...
I have to try again in a environment which is not as loud as today and share my thoughts with you.

Thanks for helping so far to everybody

Daniel

Yeah, if you don't like it, you probably won't start to like it after you purchase it. Personally I like yamaha's sounds and action. However, the Fp7F is a better piano, and it seems like you liked the action, so that's what I would suggest. It's the cheapest Roland piano that includes the best action and supernatural sounds, so it's often recommended. Based on what I'm reading here, I think that's probably where you should go, despite the price.

Hey guys,

just to keep you up-to-date: I think I have to wait some other days just go somewhere were I can test some more instruments.

Up to know, I think the FP7f would be a fantastic choice for me which keeps me happy for a long time, first because the action is really fantastic, secondly because it has a really nice piano sound and some other great sounds.

But before I decide to buy it, I also want to check the Kawai MP6, which has the really nice feature with the leslie organ simulation, which I missed in the fp7f...


So far, so difficult. Thanks for your help


What I wanted to ask: Does the MP6 has the same action as the CN43? Does it many advantages compared to the CN43?

sentient, I'm pretty sure the FP7-F has a Leslie organ effect/simulation.

But to answer your question, yes, the MP6 and CN43 use the same keyboard action. In terms of advantages, the MP6 is more suited as a stage piano/controller, with real-time knobs/sliders to control internal or external (MIDI) sounds.

Kind regards,
James
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Yes I think the fp7f has the effect, too, but I like the possibility to change the rotary speed manually, and that you can do very nicely at the MP6.
I have to check the piano, then I know more :=)

Hey guys,


after another round of DP-testing I just purchased the Fp7f in white together with the Roland Stand.
Despite the price, I ´m totally convinced of the great action and the overall quality.
The only think I´m a little afraid of is the keyboard noise, but compared to the other DP in the shop, it did not seem to be significant louder...


I think I will be very happy with it


Thanks again for your useful tipps, I will send pictures as soon as it has arrived.

Congratulations on your new board, The FP-7F is a fine choice and will serve you well.

Agreed - excellent choice, congrats!

James
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Congrats. I don't think the clunk will bother you with either the speakers or headphones set at a 'realistic' volume.

To make the story round, a picture of the DP...

I hope I will really enjoy it

Congrats!

The FP-7F looks terrific.

That bright green stool has got to go though!

Cheers,
James
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How so, he just has to wear matching green pants

On a more serious note: congrats!

Congrats on your new piano! Looks awesome. I'm not sure I ever saw a white FP7F. I kind of like the green stool though it took me awhile to figure out what it was! haha. From the angle of the shot it looked like a gian button! Have fun!