Never seen a video like this, excellent! I am blessed to enjoy my 7'4" Knabe grand (1890) in my living room, my Roland RD700nx in my downstairs studio, & my Roland RD88 for gigging. Very well done video!
At 58 I am new to the idea of buying a piano and learning how to use it well. I was leaning towards the Roland FP30x for sound, keyboard and sound effects, then the Kawai ES120, a beautiful thing just to look at, with a great sound and construction. Then I discovered the Roland FP-E50 with all the UI, the extra effects and still in a compact form. And oh boy there it is, comes also in your video at 7:10! Does it mean it belogs to the 5th category? Might I add, your video also made me want to open a good bottle of wine. So, cheers from Italy! 🍷 🍷 And thank you for those very helpful videos of yours.🙏🏻
That is quite exciting! We're happy to hear that you've decided to take the plunge into playing piano! Your research has led you to some exceptional models. For me, the FP30X has the best action in the category, but the ES120 has the edge in terms of tone. If you're looking for something that is feature rich to ensure fun, engaging practice sessions, the FPE50 would be an excellent choice. It all comes down to personal preferences and priorities! :)
"There is no price for passion". That is my motto. Basically, when it comes to piano, you pay whatever your budget allows. If budget is not a problem, your level of enthusiasism will often determine how much you'll pay. However, for a beginner (or for parents looking for their child's first piano), used pianos are definitely worth considering (and probably the best solution).
I considered this vs. the P225 after considering many more (mostly the P45 now on sale, P145, and P525). I decided on the P225 due to better action, also has VRM (resonance modelling), and limited voices. And a smaller physical footprint. The simplicity of it is what worked for me. As I already have FL Studio for exploring VSTs and wanted to keep my piano playing pure to piano. I do miss not having a harp sound. It’s never included in minimal voice options. Edit: DGX670 has VRM. P225 has VRM Lite.
I’m in the two last categories and are about to buy a used Steinway K132 upright. I hope as a 60yr beginner I will have many years of pleasure to come no matter what level I get to
Yep… Made that mistake buying a beginner piano. Being a beginner at the time. I bought the Roland FP30x (which is a really nice digital piano) But with in two months, I felt it was really missing something. I was really feeling that limited polyphony (which in hindsight is really wild, since I only just started learning and playing the Piano.) When I sat in front of a real grand piano, I was like yep. I need something much better to grow into. So I invested in the LX-9 and the RD-2000EX. I have to say, despite the payments I have to make to pay all that off, I have no regrets. I love playing on both.
I'm sorry you didn't like the FP30X. I bought one after a review from @MerriamMusic and I am extremely happy with it. I played piano for 10 years and then stopped for 3 decades. I decided to get back into it and am quite impressed by it. The only thing I would change is adding a screen so I can change settings without using my tablet and getting a furniture stand for it.
I am very glad that I waited for the fifth and sixth category. This is where I almost was and it is where the biggest mistakes can be made (and biggest problems may happen). Fortunately, I decided to wait a bit and I have been just renting time of an acoustic grand piano. I am also actually moving towards playing organ. Thank you.
Thank you for tuning in and sharing your thoughts. As Stu mentions in the video, it is a decision that every player/piano shopper must make for themselves. Thankfully, there are a lot of options for players to enjoy the magic of learning/playing piano. :)
Upon retirement, I gifted myself a Yamaha C2X (5’8” conservatory) grand. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made and so worth it to pursue my passion, jazz piano. Another solid video Stu, thanks.
Hi! Brent here! That is awesome! Congrats on your C2X! They are very solid pianos. I know it will serve you well musically for many years to come. Thanks for watching! :)
For beginners of course an ePiano, a volume control and headphones are important. About 500$ is enough. Later, with more experience of course a better one. I would always tend to digital pianos because of there is no maintenance and no need to pay attention to the humidity.
Another excellent video, Stu. A tip for lower-budget buyers, would be to get an EQ (equalizer), such as a Beringher mixer. That can pretty dramatically improve the sound quality of the budget boards. Of course, that's assuming the mixer output is routed to quality headphones or sound system.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! And thank you for sharing the tip. Mixers and additional outboard equipment can certainly help augment the sound and musical experience of lower-end keyboards in many cases. :)
Perfect timing on this video, I'm considering something in the range of a Kawai ES-120 or similar for myself, and for my boys to learn on if they show any interest. We have an acoustic piano in the house that's in the "free piano" category, and it's worth about what we paid for it. :) My fantasy piano might be a Bösendorfer upright, but if I were capable of spending in that price range, I'd also be looking at a custom built home with a music room designed for such an instrument. If i had that kind of money there are guitars I'd buy first anyway.
We're glad the timing worked out! Your research has led you to a great option. The Kawai ES120 is a powerhouse for the money and offers an impressively-authentic tone. I think you and your family would be very pleased with it. :)
Thank you very much for your video and advice, which is always helpful. I have subscribed this channel for more than three years, and probably watched most of your uploads. It would depend on personal preferences but as a matter of fact, I purchased and changed grand pianos five times to finally reach Steinway B and Bechstein M, with the help of my piano technician, while I am still at the bigginers’ stage of piano playing quality. Seeing backward the short history of our piano life, I laughed at my wife’s half joke (and half serious), “do we buy a Steinway?” when we thought about the first piano in our family for my little daughter and said, “no way! It would be too good for us. Let us ask a good piano technician to find a good middle sized Yamaha or Kawai grand piano, since I read at least grand pianos are far different from up-lights, and they could be said different music tools.” Even for beginners like my daughter and me, some people have ears to hear difference of piano qualities even without playing higher playing skills, and would not always be satisfied with middle range grand piano, and would need Bechstein grand or Steinway grand. I would not have to spend for three Yamahas and Kawai if we had purchased Steinway B first (we might have purchased Bechstein in addition to Steinway B, but I thought if the first piano is a Steinway, we might not have reached out for Bechstein, I think). You might not be able to think about no-good players, but some of no-good players could also have ears without skills. In short, your advice would hit the point in most of the cases, but please also think about some people who could possibly just spend useless money before they reach their most fit pianos, especially if they only have ears, not excellent skills. Some number of biginners could also enjoy good quality of Steinway or Bechstein, so please also advise that just try better pianos (or the best quality pianos) when people are finding candidates. Some people could find themselves be able to hear the differences of Yamaha and Steinway or Bechstein when they first touch pianos actually, and avoid spending useless money. by the way, do you know the channel of Roberts Piano in UK? It gives as many interesting videos as yours. You sometimes refer to lifetime of old pianos, but with good services, at least high quality brand pianos will be refined perfectly, or become better pianos by aging and good maintenances. Different but interesting inputs from yours in Roberts Piano’s video channel.
Hi there! Brent from Merriam Music here! Firstly, I would like to thank you for your subscription and support of our channel. We sincerely appreciate it. :) You certainly raise some very good points. High-end pianos are not exclusive to advanced players. You are correct in saying that some beginner players (or even non-piano players for that matter) have discerning enough ears to hear tonal differences between pianos. If budget and opportunity permits, purchasing a high-end piano like a Steinway or Bechstein from the onset of your piano journey is always an option. In fact, we have had many customers do the same thing as you, and report back some massive pros for making the decision. I have had customers tell me that they felt far more compelled to practice a lot given the large investment they made. Furthermore, having a piano that provided a truly inspiring musical experience also helped encourage additional practice. If getting fit was simply a matter of buying a home exercise machine, the world would look like one big Mr. Universe pageant. One must invest the time into exercising (or practicing in the case of piano) to see meaningful results. To that point, if an instrument has a magnetic quality that encourages you to play/practice far more, it may very well be worth the more premium investment. I am aware of Robert's Pianos' channel. It is true that some pianos can survive a lot longer than others based on its quality, maintenance history, and environment in which it is kept in. However, pianos are very similar to cars in that they eventually reach a point where substantial restoration/rebuilding work is required to keep them going. In the case of Steinway and Bechstein grands, the high costs to do a full rebuild/restoration may very well be worth while given the resale value of those instruments. In some cases, that will not be true. For instance, here in Canada, there are a plethora of 100+ year old Heintzman upright pianos. While they can become quite viable instruments when fully restored, that process can easily cost $10,000-20,000. Unfortunately, they potential resale value of a restored Heintzman upright is unlikely to be equal to that. So, beyond investing in a restoration for sentimental purposes, it is often not a fruitful financial decision.
@ Thank you very much for your additional kind advice. It is more than understandable and agreeable. Let me continuously watch your video from the other side of the Pacific Ocean (Tokyo)! This channel should be seen more in the world I strongly believe.
I recently got back into playing piano about a year ago and bought a casio 76-key for about $80 off FB marketplace. About 2 months later I upgraded to a Kawai CN-29 which had just dropped in price from about $2400 to $1300 and there was a huge difference in quality and feel.
@@makermelissa This is understandable, but don't make this sound like having a few more keys changed everything. It's about general quality because you spent more money. The Korg SVS-73 for example, is a high quality stage piano. The Yamaha P-121 was a great value-for-money portable piano with 73 weighted keys and a graded action.
The CN29 is an excellent piano! We're happy to hear that you were able to secure one when they were available for their discounted price. Thanks for tuning in and happy playing! :)
@@Zoco101 you’re absolutely right. I just couldn’t remember the model number at that moment. It was a Casio WK-220, which is a relatively low end keyboard.
My first piano was a Charles R Walter in MINT condition I got as a gift Second piano I bought a brand new Kawai GL10 for 10 grand delivered. Third piano I bought a brand new Kawai GL40 for $24,420 (just a few months ago). Now I’m looking into a Kawai CA901 for some silent time. I also have a Roland FP60X and a Yamaha P515 I got on the side last year for fun.
0:42 under 300$ 2:30 300$ - 500$ 3:40 Weighted 88-Note Pianos 5:04 High-Quality Digital Pianos 6:23 "Free" Acoustic Pianos 7:44 Used Acoustic Uprights 9:18 New Acoustic Pianos 11:02 Dream Come True Pianos Hi Stu & Crew. A spot with soft lights works well. It is a nice blend of shots (with an animated bulb, an ice rink, a bottle of wine...) and well-incorporated playing bits. Stu, you seem more expressive. I am not sure if it is a standing position or a necessity of following the slowly drifting lens, but the effect is natural, conversation-like, and emotional. At this point, it's time for nitpicking. There is an option for using three different thumbnails, YT uses them randomly and measures the effectiveness of each. You may be surprised how important the thumbnail is. I suggest using it, if not experimenting with the graphical side of it, at least try different titles. Some people like indirect hints - suggestions only. Ask LLM for help, like so: 8 Levels of Engagement For Piano Buyers Piano Buying Guide: From $100 to $500,000 8 Piano Price Levels: From Beginner to Steinway Your Perfect Piano Budget: 8 Price Points Explained Piano Shopping: From Budget to Dream Grand 8 Steps to Your Dream Piano: Complete Budget Guide
I have to admit that at the moment I would consider myself as talented rather than skilled but my absolute dream piano would be a Bechstein L167. I once watched a review about this piano on this channel and I was blown away by how it sounded. I definitely prefer the sound of a Bechstein over a Steinway (though I did play a Steinway several times and it was great, too) and I especially love the blooming quality of the sound. Unfortunately I can’t afford such a piano at the moment and I don’t have enough room for it either. I have a Schimmel upright and a KAWAI MP10 plus Pianoteq for recording purposes. But a Bechstein L167 would be one of my biggest wishes and I guess that it also would allow to play with more musical expression.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! You have excellent tastes in my opinion! The L167 is a magical piano. For me, there is something very special about the scale designs of the L167 and A192 that give them such incredible balance and precision tonally. I hope you're able to realize your dream of owning one! :)
Hi Brent! I’m really happy to read that, thank you so much! Would you agree that a Steinway would be more suitable for accompaniment because you can give it its own space in a mix because of its tonal qualities? I’m not sure about that, just curious. But I would definitely prefer the Bechstein for myself. I’m not very optimistic about being able to buy one in the future but I hope that at least I’ll get the opportunity to try it out. I’ve only played the one in Pianoteq so far and I think it’s more convincing than some of their other models (at least for me).
hi, enjoyed your reviews !! I am a beginner trying to learn with my 5 year old in tow, i cant decide between a yamaha 845 and Kawai 701, want something that will last a while with friendly key action for our untrained "diverse" aged players. What would you suggest ?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Congrats on beginning your piano journey! It comes down to a matter of preference of course, but - for me - the Kawai CA701 would be the ideal choice here given the feel of the Grand Feel III action. While it features a fully-weighted touch and long, grand piano-length key stick, it is not overly heavy in my experiences. It is quite "user friendly" to players of all ages, skill levels, and experience. Some higher end digital pianos have very stiff and heavy actions, which can be a bit disengaging for younger players starting out. Thanks and hope this helps!
It's a good video. There are a few more brand options on the second and third tier than have been mentioned. Don't dismiss Alesis Prestige and Alesis Prestige Artist. Korg B2 deserves a mention too.
Thank you for your always valuable videos. I would mention there is some kind of in between world between digital and acoustic, that is hybrid digital pianos. About the money, you can get for sure a fairly good second hand acoustic piano for the price of a hybrid. And an acoustic would be a better pianistic experience (if not for the touch, for the sound certainly). But, there are particular pros with a hybrid : training silently (which is the most important I think) and very little maintenance and always tuned.
You're welcome! Hybrid pianos can certainly be an excellent option, especially for certain living situations with which volume control is a necessity. :)
I'm on my starting journey of learning basic piano. I've invested in Yamaha PSR-EW425, that I like in a lot of areas. But the lower 4th of (ie bass) there's a artificial sound to the piano. I have grown up listening to pianos and school quality uprights, so my ears apparently have a quality preference. I have tried out (digital) different brands and similar for most is that if you want the piano/upright sound (out of on board speakers) you need to spend at least 1.300 € (1.400 $). One exception has been the Kawai ES-520, but the trade off here is a slightly lower quality of action, that I don't think I could live with in a couple of years.
It is generally true that, if you have more discerning ears, you may have to up the budget a bit to find a digital piano that satisfies your musical needs. If you enjoy the sound of the ES520, but are looking for a heavier, more authentic touch, you may want to consider the ES920. It is an exceptional all-in portable digital piano with a great touch and tone. :)
I was wondering, how much does the immediate environment affect the sound of the piano? Say a person lives in a regular house, nothing special and the room is just enough. Would that person benefit from acquiring a premium piano instead of an ok one? Or does one need a place with great acoustics in order to take advantage of a more expensive instrument?
That is a great question that is certainly worthy of a full video dedicated to it. Generally speaking though, if you had two pianos in the same environment (say an entry level grand versus a concert-class grand), the superior piano would still outshine the other. However, there are situations where a room can prevent a piano from achieving its full musical potential of course. Again, its a complex discussion, but it would be a fun one to tackle. Thanks for the idea!
I'm thinking in buying and acoustic upright piano. I have an Yamaha CLP 735, I know it is a good digital piano but I wanted to take a new step because I always really wanted to have an acoustic. I've been playing for 9 years at a music academy. I was looking to buy an used and I've seen some very good ones. I also live in an apartment, and the neighbors don't mind the noise (most of them enjoy hearing the playing) and i was looking for somethin in the 4000- 5000€ range (i live in Portugal). I would like to have an opinion on this. And thank you for the great video.
It all depends on what the piano is really. There are some excellent options in that price range of course. I would just advise being a little careful when exploring pianos on the private market. Usually, piano dealers will offer decent warranties on used acoustic pianos, which provides the buyer with more security for the purchase.
Started with a Medeli DP650BK (€1250) also owned a Roland FPE50 (€950) but got rid of it because it kept failing. Had a NUX NPK20 after that as a second piano (€650) but it was not good at all. Went for a Studiologic NumaX GT (€1500) after that but didn't like the action. Finally settled on a Casio Privia PX-S1100 as a second portable piano. Then I upgraded my Medeli to a Roland GP6 (€5000) I'll promised myself an acoustic babygrand when I move to a bigger home.
If budget was not an issue than my fantasy piano purchase would be a high end top of the line hybrid digital piano. either upright or grand depending on available floor space
For sure! Budget is certainly an important factor for many piano shoppers. Thankfully, digital pianos have come a long way and offer impressive musical experiences at more accessible price points. :)
I have started off with the cheapest 88 key piano that I could find, and am still using , As my playing improves I will have more knowledge and be in a far better position to choose a more suitable piano for my needs that I will be able to appreciate . Starting off on an expensive piano will not make me learn any quicker or make me into a better player.
Very good advice. Those 'free' old acoustic pianos unfortunately are really stifling the possibilities for the young. The USB options, the transposing features, the Bluetooth learning options, the organ and harpsichord voices with a digital piano (mine is a Roland FP10 - CAD 900) - all of these things open up new avenues for a young learner that an old acoustic (often out of tune) piano will not provide.
I have a desktop speaker(100$)。I want a basic portable digital piano to connect to the speaker. Mainly care about external playback effect. Do you have any recommendation?
Hi there! It really depends on your budget. It is also important to note that many digital pianos have onboard speakers (some of which are quite impressive!). To that point, if you're looking for a solid entry-level instrument, the Kawai ES120 and Roland FP30X would be my top suggestions. I give the edge to the ES120 in terms of tone, but the edge to the FP30X in terms of touch. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
The price difference between countries can be crazy. I got a new MP11SE for the equivalent of just under 2500 USD last year (via installments), but to buy new in the US would have cost over 3500. Would have been a lot harder at that price.
As a adult novice myself, I would advise my friends to avoid 61-key keyboard as a 1st instrument. As I was learning to play from the Internet, I ran out of keys in the lower octaves within 6 months. I feel it is best to start off right with a 88-key. There are many good used ones if budget is a problem. 61-key is fine for experienced players who know what they are doing.
61 to 88 is a huge jump. Beethoven often practised and composed on a 73-key piano. I defy most students to run out of keys on a 73-key piano. A 73-key portable piano fits much better in bedrooms, RVs, boats and cars than all 88-key pianos. Sadly, few companies make them now because of the obsession with 88 keys.
Hi! Brent here! I agree with the sentiment. I usually advise aspiring piano players or customers to seriously consider an 88-key digital piano. The issue with most sub-88 key instruments is that they have synth action or semi-weighted actions opposed to fully-weighted ones.
@@MerriamPianos Indeed, that's the case. There's this weird idea that you can't be a proper pianist, ergo require a weighted action (certainly not a graded one) unless you shop for 88 keys, and manufacturers feed on this misconception and help to make it an inevitability. Recently, Yamaha broke the mold with the P-121, and many of us love this. To our chagrin, this model has been deleted and not replaced. Much higher up the price scale, Korg makes the 73-key SV2-73 stage piano with optional monitors and a graded weighted action. And there's the slightly cheaper Yamaha CP-73 which is very nice to play, except the weighted key action isn't graded. A new portable dp sub 1k USD, with 73 keys and a graded action is conspicuous for its absence. The marketing guys need to wake up.
In 2024, the answer to the question what should be my first digital piano is an easy one. Buy the Yamaha DGX-670 with stand and pedals for $1100.00. No other choice is possible. I've been playing piano for 57 years, perform professionally, and need a digital at home for practice with headphones for the love of my apartment neighbors. Have owned dozens of Dpianos over the last 4 decades, this DGX-670 is the very first Dpiano I enjoy playing, and can call it an instrument. No other choice. The sound, the pedals, the adjustability of the sound, plus for built-in speakers the best ever, the beginners will be very happy with these speakers. But to actually hear the full gorgeous sound of this piano you must spend $100 on headphones and buy the Sony MDR-7506. Another hidden benefit is you can record professional audio on the built-in audio USB recorder. Another hidden benefit is the arranger function for playing with a band and practicing your timing. The DGX-670 is such a rare thing in digital pianos where perfection was reached and greatest value ever offered in 40 years. The only drawback is the keybed will not satisfy the pro classical player, something the beginner won't have to worry about for years if they want to pursue a professional classical career. Any pianist who wishes for a pro classical career should be practicing on as many different pianos as possible and all of them should be acoustic. Find a local college and see if they have practice studios with these pianos. The pro pianist must play whatever piano is on stage and that could be anything from horrible to fantastic. Performing on all keyboard actions is a skill a pro must develop, unless you can afford to haul your own 9 foot concert grand piano to each of your concerts.
The DGX670 is a very solid piano with great value. There are no doubts about that. But I don't believe it is the only choice on the market in that category. Not every player will resonate with the sound and touch of the DGX670. Some may prefer a warmer or more transparent tone. Similarly, some may prefer lighter or heavier touch. Thankfully, there are a lot of options on the market to choose from in this price category.
Always buy second hand imo. Not too expensive but not the cheap models, buy a midrange. Till you like it and know how to play. Then buy the best there is and upgrade.
That is certainly fair. However, buying a used piano on the private market does not come without some risk. If you're able to purchase from a reputable dealer that properly assesses used instruments when they arrive, there is much more security in the purchase from my experiences.
The main point of the video is: This advice only applies to a player’s very first piano - if a) another person in the house has been playing before, or b) once you have been playing for a couple of years, then the vast majority of this advice no longer applies and should be ignored.
@@steffilomi9328 Thank you, much appreciated. however, I just focused on this one thing. I don't even own a car (or a TV) just a piano (and a home to house it).
If budget permits, this is a very logical path. Although many would probably have another step in there between the $1300 and $30,000 mark (perhaps, something around the $7500-10,000 range). ;)
@MerriamPianos To be honest, it was a gamble. I told myself that a 1000$ was not much of a lost if I failed. It's been 4 years now. I'm ready to move to the next level. C.Bechstein Konzert 8. I'm kidding. I'm more aiming toward the K300. It is, in my humble opinion, the 80-20 sweep spot for an amateur like me. Or an old U1 that I will trade up for the Kawai K300.
First: Casio, 61 keys, $300... good enough to discover if my fingers would work at my age. They did. Second: Two months later, Roland FP-e50, $800... probably good enough for the rest of my life unless a miracle happens.
I play fortepiano so it's very difficult to find something that suits my needs while being within budget but stumbled upon a very rare free and hard to find piano on facebook marketplace when I was no longer looking and just went for it expecting it to need a lot more work than it actually did. The piano I got is a strait strung model with 77 keys and 2 strings per note but it has the wrong hammers making it a bit difficult to play and a bit muffled, I can't just buy the right ones so I have to make them, it needs new strings, needs a crack in the sound board fixed and it doesn't hold a tune well so my hunt started over with a digital piano in mind to play while I'm performing repairs on my actual piano and my room mate is sleeping. The cheapest one that would suit my needs was almost $3000 while everything cheaper didn't have a forte piano sound or would allow me to tune to the pitch I want which would have made a cheaper model perfect so I stopped looking there since I still have two organs to play so I won't be without an instrument however all my instruments need a restoration so taking that free piano can definitely cost money and time at the end but will always be cheaper than an inferior new piano.
Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing! I certainly understand. Finding a suitable fortepiano is a much tougher task than say a weighted-key portable digital. I hope you are able to find an instrument that suits your needs and is as manageable as possible in terms of budget. :)
Never seen a video like this, excellent! I am blessed to enjoy my 7'4" Knabe grand (1890) in my living room, my Roland RD700nx in my downstairs studio, & my Roland RD88 for gigging. Very well done video!
Thanks so much! We appreciate that. Congrats on your arsenal of pianos! It sounds like you have quite the musical toolbox at your disposal. :)
At 58 I am new to the idea of buying a piano and learning how to use it well.
I was leaning towards the Roland FP30x for sound, keyboard and sound effects, then the Kawai ES120, a beautiful thing just to look at, with a great sound and construction.
Then I discovered the Roland FP-E50 with all the UI, the extra effects and still in a compact form.
And oh boy there it is, comes also in your video at 7:10!
Does it mean it belogs to the 5th category?
Might I add, your video also made me want to open a good bottle of wine.
So, cheers from Italy! 🍷 🍷 And thank you for those very helpful videos of yours.🙏🏻
That is quite exciting! We're happy to hear that you've decided to take the plunge into playing piano! Your research has led you to some exceptional models. For me, the FP30X has the best action in the category, but the ES120 has the edge in terms of tone. If you're looking for something that is feature rich to ensure fun, engaging practice sessions, the FPE50 would be an excellent choice. It all comes down to personal preferences and priorities! :)
"There is no price for passion". That is my motto. Basically, when it comes to piano, you pay whatever your budget allows. If budget is not a problem, your level of enthusiasism will often determine how much you'll pay. However, for a beginner (or for parents looking for their child's first piano), used pianos are definitely worth considering (and probably the best solution).
Very well said! That is an excellent quote and motto. Thanks for tuning in and sharing! :)
Was just looking to buy a digital piano, heaven sent timing!
That's awesome to hear! Sometimes these things work out serendipitously. ;)
Dgx 670 is where its at!!! Other than that, spend your whole life savings. You need that piano now!!!!
Yeah I love my DGX670, but I also really really loved that Hamburg Steinway O I tried before🦊🎹🎶
The DGX670 offers great value. There are certainly no doubts about that!
Agree!!!!
I considered this vs. the P225 after considering many more (mostly the P45 now on sale, P145, and P525).
I decided on the P225 due to better action, also has VRM (resonance modelling), and limited voices. And a smaller physical footprint. The simplicity of it is what worked for me. As I already have FL Studio for exploring VSTs and wanted to keep my piano playing pure to piano.
I do miss not having a harp sound. It’s never included in minimal voice options.
Edit: DGX670 has VRM. P225 has VRM Lite.
@ the dgx has soooo many morre (quando beautiful) voices. I totally love mine!!!
Hi Stu. I always appreciate your knowledge and willingness to honestly share. You are an asset to the "piano world". Thanks.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Thank you for tuning in! I'll be happy to pass along your kind words to Stu. :)
I’m in the two last categories and are about to buy a used Steinway K132 upright. I hope as a 60yr beginner I will have many years of pleasure to come no matter what level I get to
That is awesome to hear! The K132 is an exceptional model. Best of luck with your piano journey and thanks so much for tuning in! :)
Yep… Made that mistake buying a beginner piano. Being a beginner at the time. I bought the Roland FP30x (which is a really nice digital piano) But with in two months, I felt it was really missing something. I was really feeling that limited polyphony (which in hindsight is really wild, since I only just started learning and playing the Piano.) When I sat in front of a real grand piano, I was like yep. I need something much better to grow into. So I invested in the LX-9 and the RD-2000EX. I have to say, despite the payments I have to make to pay all that off, I have no regrets. I love playing on both.
You have two beautiful instruments.
About to look these bad boys up!!!
Um. Not meaning to be rood or anything, however the FP30X has 256 notes polyphony which is already quite a lot🦊🎹🎶
Why both? After a year on Casio CDP 110 I have purchased Roland LX5. What a joy!
I'm sorry you didn't like the FP30X. I bought one after a review from @MerriamMusic and I am extremely happy with it. I played piano for 10 years and then stopped for 3 decades. I decided to get back into it and am quite impressed by it. The only thing I would change is adding a screen so I can change settings without using my tablet and getting a furniture stand for it.
Great video Stu. As usual. Good points of view.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks so much for tuning in! Glad you enjoyed Stu's video. :)
I am very glad that I waited for the fifth and sixth category. This is where I almost was and it is where the biggest mistakes can be made (and biggest problems may happen).
Fortunately, I decided to wait a bit and I have been just renting time of an acoustic grand piano. I am also actually moving towards playing organ.
Thank you.
Thank you for tuning in and sharing your thoughts. As Stu mentions in the video, it is a decision that every player/piano shopper must make for themselves. Thankfully, there are a lot of options for players to enjoy the magic of learning/playing piano. :)
Upon retirement, I gifted myself a Yamaha C2X (5’8” conservatory) grand. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made and so worth it to pursue my passion, jazz piano.
Another solid video Stu, thanks.
Hi! Brent here! That is awesome! Congrats on your C2X! They are very solid pianos. I know it will serve you well musically for many years to come. Thanks for watching! :)
@@MerriamPianos Thanks, appreciate that very much.
For beginners of course an ePiano, a volume control and headphones are important. About 500$ is enough. Later, with more experience of course a better one. I would always tend to digital pianos because of there is no maintenance and no need to pay attention to the humidity.
I wouldn't say 0 maintinance, but for the most part yeah.
Also humidity can have an efect on a digital piano's electronics over time🦊🎹🎶
Thanks for sharing your thoughts! We appreciate it. :)
Another excellent video, Stu.
A tip for lower-budget buyers, would be to get an EQ (equalizer), such as a Beringher mixer. That can pretty dramatically improve the sound quality of the budget boards. Of course, that's assuming the mixer output is routed to quality headphones or sound system.
Hi! Brent here! Thanks for tuning in! And thank you for sharing the tip. Mixers and additional outboard equipment can certainly help augment the sound and musical experience of lower-end keyboards in many cases. :)
This video makes me really grateful for my Kawai GX-2
Congratulations on your Kawai GX2! They are wonderful pianos with an incredible tone and touch. :)
Perfect timing on this video, I'm considering something in the range of a Kawai ES-120 or similar for myself, and for my boys to learn on if they show any interest. We have an acoustic piano in the house that's in the "free piano" category, and it's worth about what we paid for it. :)
My fantasy piano might be a Bösendorfer upright, but if I were capable of spending in that price range, I'd also be looking at a custom built home with a music room designed for such an instrument. If i had that kind of money there are guitars I'd buy first anyway.
We're glad the timing worked out! Your research has led you to a great option. The Kawai ES120 is a powerhouse for the money and offers an impressively-authentic tone. I think you and your family would be very pleased with it. :)
Thank you very much for your video and advice, which is always helpful. I have subscribed this channel for more than three years, and probably watched most of your uploads. It would depend on personal preferences but as a matter of fact, I purchased and changed grand pianos five times to finally reach Steinway B and Bechstein M, with the help of my piano technician, while I am still at the bigginers’ stage of piano playing quality. Seeing backward the short history of our piano life, I laughed at my wife’s half joke (and half serious), “do we buy a Steinway?” when we thought about the first piano in our family for my little daughter and said, “no way! It would be too good for us. Let us ask a good piano technician to find a good middle sized Yamaha or Kawai grand piano, since I read at least grand pianos are far different from up-lights, and they could be said different music tools.” Even for beginners like my daughter and me, some people have ears to hear difference of piano qualities even without playing higher playing skills, and would not always be satisfied with middle range grand piano, and would need Bechstein grand or Steinway grand. I would not have to spend for three Yamahas and Kawai if we had purchased Steinway B first (we might have purchased Bechstein in addition to Steinway B, but I thought if the first piano is a Steinway, we might not have reached out for Bechstein, I think). You might not be able to think about no-good players, but some of no-good players could also have ears without skills.
In short, your advice would hit the point in most of the cases, but please also think about some people who could possibly just spend useless money before they reach their most fit pianos, especially if they only have ears, not excellent skills. Some number of biginners could also enjoy good quality of Steinway or Bechstein, so please also advise that just try better pianos (or the best quality pianos) when people are finding candidates. Some people could find themselves be able to hear the differences of Yamaha and Steinway or Bechstein when they first touch pianos actually, and avoid spending useless money.
by the way, do you know the channel of Roberts Piano in UK? It gives as many interesting videos as yours. You sometimes refer to lifetime of old pianos, but with good services, at least high quality brand pianos will be refined perfectly, or become better pianos by aging and good maintenances. Different but interesting inputs from yours in Roberts Piano’s video channel.
Hi there! Brent from Merriam Music here! Firstly, I would like to thank you for your subscription and support of our channel. We sincerely appreciate it. :)
You certainly raise some very good points. High-end pianos are not exclusive to advanced players. You are correct in saying that some beginner players (or even non-piano players for that matter) have discerning enough ears to hear tonal differences between pianos. If budget and opportunity permits, purchasing a high-end piano like a Steinway or Bechstein from the onset of your piano journey is always an option. In fact, we have had many customers do the same thing as you, and report back some massive pros for making the decision. I have had customers tell me that they felt far more compelled to practice a lot given the large investment they made. Furthermore, having a piano that provided a truly inspiring musical experience also helped encourage additional practice.
If getting fit was simply a matter of buying a home exercise machine, the world would look like one big Mr. Universe pageant. One must invest the time into exercising (or practicing in the case of piano) to see meaningful results. To that point, if an instrument has a magnetic quality that encourages you to play/practice far more, it may very well be worth the more premium investment.
I am aware of Robert's Pianos' channel. It is true that some pianos can survive a lot longer than others based on its quality, maintenance history, and environment in which it is kept in. However, pianos are very similar to cars in that they eventually reach a point where substantial restoration/rebuilding work is required to keep them going. In the case of Steinway and Bechstein grands, the high costs to do a full rebuild/restoration may very well be worth while given the resale value of those instruments. In some cases, that will not be true. For instance, here in Canada, there are a plethora of 100+ year old Heintzman upright pianos. While they can become quite viable instruments when fully restored, that process can easily cost $10,000-20,000. Unfortunately, they potential resale value of a restored Heintzman upright is unlikely to be equal to that. So, beyond investing in a restoration for sentimental purposes, it is often not a fruitful financial decision.
@ Thank you very much for your additional kind advice. It is more than understandable and agreeable. Let me continuously watch your video from the other side of the Pacific Ocean (Tokyo)! This channel should be seen more in the world I strongly believe.
As much as your wife will allow;)
Marry a musician.
Best answer.
Very underrated answer... 😂
@crisoliveira2644 lol too late for me
I get the joke but I don’t like this approach. Marriage is all about partnership, common sense and understanding each other’s needs.
I recently got back into playing piano about a year ago and bought a casio 76-key for about $80 off FB marketplace. About 2 months later I upgraded to a Kawai CN-29 which had just dropped in price from about $2400 to $1300 and there was a huge difference in quality and feel.
@@makermelissa This is understandable, but don't make this sound like having a few more keys changed everything. It's about general quality because you spent more money.
The Korg SVS-73 for example, is a high quality stage piano. The Yamaha P-121 was a great value-for-money portable piano with 73 weighted keys and a graded action.
The CN29 is an excellent piano! We're happy to hear that you were able to secure one when they were available for their discounted price. Thanks for tuning in and happy playing! :)
@@Zoco101 you’re absolutely right. I just couldn’t remember the model number at that moment. It was a Casio WK-220, which is a relatively low end keyboard.
My first keyboard is a Nord Stage 3 HA88 no regrets, but I had always been playing for 8+years
That is awesome to hear! It sounds like you've been getting excellent longevity out of it.
My first piano was a Charles R Walter in MINT condition I got as a gift
Second piano I bought a brand new Kawai GL10 for 10 grand delivered.
Third piano I bought a brand new Kawai GL40 for $24,420 (just a few months ago). Now I’m looking into a Kawai CA901 for some silent time. I also have a Roland FP60X and a Yamaha P515 I got on the side last year for fun.
That's awesome! You've had some excellent instruments throughout your musical journey. Thanks so much for sharing! :)
0:42 under 300$
2:30 300$ - 500$
3:40 Weighted 88-Note Pianos
5:04 High-Quality Digital Pianos
6:23 "Free" Acoustic Pianos
7:44 Used Acoustic Uprights
9:18 New Acoustic Pianos
11:02 Dream Come True Pianos
Hi Stu & Crew.
A spot with soft lights works well. It is a nice blend of shots (with an animated bulb, an ice rink, a bottle of wine...) and well-incorporated playing bits.
Stu, you seem more expressive. I am not sure if it is a standing position or a necessity of following the slowly drifting lens, but the effect is natural, conversation-like, and emotional.
At this point, it's time for nitpicking.
There is an option for using three different thumbnails, YT uses them randomly and measures the effectiveness of each.
You may be surprised how important the thumbnail is.
I suggest using it, if not experimenting with the graphical side of it, at least try different titles.
Some people like indirect hints - suggestions only.
Ask LLM for help, like so:
8 Levels of Engagement For Piano Buyers
Piano Buying Guide: From $100 to $500,000
8 Piano Price Levels: From Beginner to Steinway
Your Perfect Piano Budget: 8 Price Points Explained
Piano Shopping: From Budget to Dream Grand
8 Steps to Your Dream Piano: Complete Budget Guide
Thank you for tuning in and sharing your feedback.
I have to admit that at the moment I would consider myself as talented rather than skilled but my absolute dream piano would be a Bechstein L167. I once watched a review about this piano on this channel and I was blown away by how it sounded. I definitely prefer the sound of a Bechstein over a Steinway (though I did play a Steinway several times and it was great, too) and I especially love the blooming quality of the sound. Unfortunately I can’t afford such a piano at the moment and I don’t have enough room for it either. I have a Schimmel upright and a KAWAI MP10 plus Pianoteq for recording purposes. But a Bechstein L167 would be one of my biggest wishes and I guess that it also would allow to play with more musical expression.
Agreed. My dream would be a Fazioli concert or semi-concert grand... but alas I'm afraid it will only stay a dream unless I win the lotto.
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! You have excellent tastes in my opinion! The L167 is a magical piano. For me, there is something very special about the scale designs of the L167 and A192 that give them such incredible balance and precision tonally. I hope you're able to realize your dream of owning one! :)
Hi Brent! I’m really happy to read that, thank you so much! Would you agree that a Steinway would be more suitable for accompaniment because you can give it its own space in a mix because of its tonal qualities? I’m not sure about that, just curious. But I would definitely prefer the Bechstein for myself. I’m not very optimistic about being able to buy one in the future but I hope that at least I’ll get the opportunity to try it out. I’ve only played the one in Pianoteq so far and I think it’s more convincing than some of their other models (at least for me).
hi, enjoyed your reviews !! I am a beginner trying to learn with my 5 year old in tow, i cant decide between a yamaha 845 and Kawai 701, want something that will last a while with friendly key action for our untrained "diverse" aged players. What would you suggest ?
Hi! Brent from Merriam Music here! Congrats on beginning your piano journey! It comes down to a matter of preference of course, but - for me - the Kawai CA701 would be the ideal choice here given the feel of the Grand Feel III action. While it features a fully-weighted touch and long, grand piano-length key stick, it is not overly heavy in my experiences. It is quite "user friendly" to players of all ages, skill levels, and experience. Some higher end digital pianos have very stiff and heavy actions, which can be a bit disengaging for younger players starting out. Thanks and hope this helps!
@@MerriamPianos indeed it does. Thank you. Now to find the money for the 701. haha. (it's twice the price of the 845 in India)
It's a good video. There are a few more brand options on the second and third tier than have been mentioned. Don't dismiss Alesis Prestige and Alesis Prestige Artist. Korg B2 deserves a mention too.
There are certainly other decent options on the market worth exploring.
Thank you for your always valuable videos. I would mention there is some kind of in between world between digital and acoustic, that is hybrid digital pianos. About the money, you can get for sure a fairly good second hand acoustic piano for the price of a hybrid. And an acoustic would be a better pianistic experience (if not for the touch, for the sound certainly). But, there are particular pros with a hybrid : training silently (which is the most important I think) and very little maintenance and always tuned.
You're welcome! Hybrid pianos can certainly be an excellent option, especially for certain living situations with which volume control is a necessity. :)
0:03 and 2:32 - not sure if that red line is supposed to be crossing out the white text? Also the font inside the red line is proper tiny!
Thanks for the feedback. I'll pass it along to our production team.
I'm on my starting journey of learning basic piano. I've invested in Yamaha PSR-EW425, that I like in a lot of areas. But the lower 4th of (ie bass) there's a artificial sound to the piano. I have grown up listening to pianos and school quality uprights, so my ears apparently have a quality preference. I have tried out (digital) different brands and similar for most is that if you want the piano/upright sound (out of on board speakers) you need to spend at least 1.300 € (1.400 $). One exception has been the Kawai ES-520, but the trade off here is a slightly lower quality of action, that I don't think I could live with in a couple of years.
It is generally true that, if you have more discerning ears, you may have to up the budget a bit to find a digital piano that satisfies your musical needs. If you enjoy the sound of the ES520, but are looking for a heavier, more authentic touch, you may want to consider the ES920. It is an exceptional all-in portable digital piano with a great touch and tone. :)
I was wondering, how much does the immediate environment affect the sound of the piano? Say a person lives in a regular house, nothing special and the room is just enough. Would that person benefit from acquiring a premium piano instead of an ok one? Or does one need a place with great acoustics in order to take advantage of a more expensive instrument?
That is a great question that is certainly worthy of a full video dedicated to it. Generally speaking though, if you had two pianos in the same environment (say an entry level grand versus a concert-class grand), the superior piano would still outshine the other. However, there are situations where a room can prevent a piano from achieving its full musical potential of course. Again, its a complex discussion, but it would be a fun one to tackle. Thanks for the idea!
I'm thinking in buying and acoustic upright piano. I have an Yamaha CLP 735, I know it is a good digital piano but I wanted to take a new step because I always really wanted to have an acoustic. I've been playing for 9 years at a music academy. I was looking to buy an used and I've seen some very good ones. I also live in an apartment, and the neighbors don't mind the noise (most of them enjoy hearing the playing) and i was looking for somethin in the 4000- 5000€ range (i live in Portugal). I would like to have an opinion on this. And thank you for the great video.
It all depends on what the piano is really. There are some excellent options in that price range of course. I would just advise being a little careful when exploring pianos on the private market. Usually, piano dealers will offer decent warranties on used acoustic pianos, which provides the buyer with more security for the purchase.
I got a student into the San Francisco Conservatory on full scholarship. His piano? an old Kawai MP9500.
Started with a Medeli DP650BK (€1250) also owned a Roland FPE50 (€950) but got rid of it because it kept failing. Had a NUX NPK20 after that as a second piano (€650) but it was not good at all. Went for a Studiologic NumaX GT (€1500) after that but didn't like the action. Finally settled on a Casio Privia PX-S1100 as a second portable piano. Then I upgraded my Medeli to a Roland GP6 (€5000)
I'll promised myself an acoustic babygrand when I move to a bigger home.
That is quite the journey, but it sounds like you've landed on a really excellent piano in the Roland GP6! The new GP6 models are exceptional. :)
If budget was not an issue than my fantasy piano purchase would be a high end top of the line hybrid digital piano. either upright or grand depending on available floor space
For sure! Budget is certainly an important factor for many piano shoppers. Thankfully, digital pianos have come a long way and offer impressive musical experiences at more accessible price points. :)
Hello. Thanks for this. What headphones are you using? I find my AKG K271 MKII too much revealing on mids. Best wishes!
Hi there! Stu is using Meze 99 Neo headphones in this video. :)
I have started off with the cheapest 88 key piano that I could find, and am still using , As my playing improves I will have more knowledge and be in a far better position to choose a more suitable piano for my needs that I will be able to appreciate . Starting off on an expensive piano will not make me learn any quicker or make me into a better player.
Glad to hear that you found a suitable instrument to begin your journey on!
Very good advice. Those 'free' old acoustic pianos unfortunately are really stifling the possibilities for the young. The USB options, the transposing features, the Bluetooth learning options, the organ and harpsichord voices with a digital piano (mine is a Roland FP10 - CAD 900) - all of these things open up new avenues for a young learner that an old acoustic (often out of tune) piano will not provide.
Thanks so much! And thank you for contributing as well. These are excellent points! :)
I have a desktop speaker(100$)。I want a basic portable digital piano to connect to the speaker. Mainly care about external playback effect. Do you have any recommendation?
Hi there! It really depends on your budget. It is also important to note that many digital pianos have onboard speakers (some of which are quite impressive!). To that point, if you're looking for a solid entry-level instrument, the Kawai ES120 and Roland FP30X would be my top suggestions. I give the edge to the ES120 in terms of tone, but the edge to the FP30X in terms of touch. Thanks and hope this helps! :)
The price difference between countries can be crazy. I got a new MP11SE for the equivalent of just under 2500 USD last year (via installments), but to buy new in the US would have cost over 3500. Would have been a lot harder at that price.
For sure! There are many reasons why price gaps between different markets are quite pronounced.
As a adult novice myself, I would advise my friends to avoid 61-key keyboard as a 1st instrument. As I was learning to play from the Internet, I ran out of keys in the lower octaves within 6 months. I feel it is best to start off right with a 88-key. There are many good used ones if budget is a problem. 61-key is fine for experienced players who know what they are doing.
61 to 88 is a huge jump. Beethoven often practised and composed on a 73-key piano. I defy most students to run out of keys on a 73-key piano. A 73-key portable piano fits much better in bedrooms, RVs, boats and cars than all 88-key pianos. Sadly, few companies make them now because of the obsession with 88 keys.
Hi! Brent here! I agree with the sentiment. I usually advise aspiring piano players or customers to seriously consider an 88-key digital piano. The issue with most sub-88 key instruments is that they have synth action or semi-weighted actions opposed to fully-weighted ones.
@@MerriamPianos Indeed, that's the case. There's this weird idea that you can't be a proper pianist, ergo require a weighted action (certainly not a graded one) unless you shop for 88 keys, and manufacturers feed on this misconception and help to make it an inevitability. Recently, Yamaha broke the mold with the P-121, and many of us love this. To our chagrin, this model has been deleted and not replaced. Much higher up the price scale, Korg makes the 73-key SV2-73 stage piano with optional monitors and a graded weighted action. And there's the slightly cheaper Yamaha CP-73 which is very nice to play, except the weighted key action isn't graded.
A new portable dp sub 1k USD, with 73 keys and a graded action is conspicuous for its absence. The marketing guys need to wake up.
In 2024, the answer to the question what should be my first digital piano is an easy one. Buy the Yamaha DGX-670 with stand and pedals for $1100.00. No other choice is possible. I've been playing piano for 57 years, perform professionally, and need a digital at home for practice with headphones for the love of my apartment neighbors. Have owned dozens of Dpianos over the last 4 decades, this DGX-670 is the very first Dpiano I enjoy playing, and can call it an instrument. No other choice. The sound, the pedals, the adjustability of the sound, plus for built-in speakers the best ever, the beginners will be very happy with these speakers. But to actually hear the full gorgeous sound of this piano you must spend $100 on headphones and buy the Sony MDR-7506. Another hidden benefit is you can record professional audio on the built-in audio USB recorder. Another hidden benefit is the arranger function for playing with a band and practicing your timing. The DGX-670 is such a rare thing in digital pianos where perfection was reached and greatest value ever offered in 40 years.
The only drawback is the keybed will not satisfy the pro classical player, something the beginner won't have to worry about for years if they want to pursue a professional classical career. Any pianist who wishes for a pro classical career should be practicing on as many different pianos as possible and all of them should be acoustic. Find a local college and see if they have practice studios with these pianos. The pro pianist must play whatever piano is on stage and that could be anything from horrible to fantastic. Performing on all keyboard actions is a skill a pro must develop, unless you can afford to haul your own 9 foot concert grand piano to each of your concerts.
The DGX670 is a very solid piano with great value. There are no doubts about that. But I don't believe it is the only choice on the market in that category. Not every player will resonate with the sound and touch of the DGX670. Some may prefer a warmer or more transparent tone. Similarly, some may prefer lighter or heavier touch. Thankfully, there are a lot of options on the market to choose from in this price category.
@@MerriamPianos I don't think you read my comment.
The answer is obviously $3.50.
Or - better yet - $0.00. ;)
I spent all of it.
That is certainly one way to do it! ;)
Always buy second hand imo. Not too expensive but not the cheap models, buy a midrange. Till you like it and know how to play. Then buy the best there is and upgrade.
That is certainly fair. However, buying a used piano on the private market does not come without some risk. If you're able to purchase from a reputable dealer that properly assesses used instruments when they arrive, there is much more security in the purchase from my experiences.
@ of course i agree there. Out my first also from a known dealer. Good addition yes
The main point of the video is:
This advice only applies to a player’s very first piano - if a) another person in the house has been playing before, or b) once you have been playing for a couple of years, then the vast majority of this advice no longer applies and should be ignored.
I think some of these considerations are relevant to all piano shoppers really.
First one $1,300.00, Second one $30,000.00, Third one $50,000.00 and fourth and the last one $100,000.00
Love your upgrades
Good for you, but unrealistic for the majority.
@@steffilomi9328 Thank you, much appreciated. however, I just focused on this one thing. I don't even own a car (or a TV) just a piano (and a home to house it).
@@Critique808 Thank you, much appreciated. I started off with Roland FP30X (I still have this, love it).
If budget permits, this is a very logical path. Although many would probably have another step in there between the $1300 and $30,000 mark (perhaps, something around the $7500-10,000 range). ;)
I bought my first piano 150$ + 400$ moving + 300$ for regulation + 120$ for tuning. So roughly 1000$.
Very nice! That is a very popular price point to stay within for a first piano purchase.
@MerriamPianos To be honest, it was a gamble. I told myself that a 1000$ was not much of a lost if I failed. It's been 4 years now. I'm ready to move to the next level. C.Bechstein Konzert 8.
I'm kidding. I'm more aiming toward the K300. It is, in my humble opinion, the 80-20 sweep spot for an amateur like me. Or an old U1 that I will trade up for the Kawai K300.
I'm after a Kawai K500, too bad the only Kawai dealer in Chile has not answered my request...
I'm sorry to hear that! I hope you're able to track down a Kawai K500. They're wonderful piano! :)
First: Casio, 61 keys, $300... good enough to discover if my fingers would work at my age. They did.
Second: Two months later, Roland FP-e50, $800... probably good enough for the rest of my life unless a miracle happens.
The FPE50 is a powerhouse instrument with incredible value! I know it will serve you well musically. :)
$300.00
It all comes down to subjectivity at the end of the day. Thankfully, there are some excellent options on the market that are quite affordable. :)
I play fortepiano so it's very difficult to find something that suits my needs while being within budget but stumbled upon a very rare free and hard to find piano on facebook marketplace when I was no longer looking and just went for it expecting it to need a lot more work than it actually did.
The piano I got is a strait strung model with 77 keys and 2 strings per note but it has the wrong hammers making it a bit difficult to play and a bit muffled, I can't just buy the right ones so I have to make them, it needs new strings, needs a crack in the sound board fixed and it doesn't hold a tune well so my hunt started over with a digital piano in mind to play while I'm performing repairs on my actual piano and my room mate is sleeping.
The cheapest one that would suit my needs was almost $3000 while everything cheaper didn't have a forte piano sound or would allow me to tune to the pitch I want which would have made a cheaper model perfect so I stopped looking there since I still have two organs to play so I won't be without an instrument however all my instruments need a restoration so taking that free piano can definitely cost money and time at the end but will always be cheaper than an inferior new piano.
Thanks so much for tuning in and sharing! I certainly understand. Finding a suitable fortepiano is a much tougher task than say a weighted-key portable digital. I hope you are able to find an instrument that suits your needs and is as manageable as possible in terms of budget. :)
@@MerriamPianos I already found one that's almost there, I just need to do repairs on it but it's playable.