OT: Question for musicians on this board

[PhillyPhaithful48]

Looking to invest in a piano/keyboard to take up as a hobby. Most likely going to go the way of a Yamaha workstation or something similar. Does anyone have any suggestions as to whats a good deal for a somewhat beginner. I know the basics since I used to take lessons but didnt go much into it besides that. I am trying to stay under $500 if thats possible for a decent model.

I know Jeff loves his music stuff and someone else mentioned they were buying a sick yamaha keyboard, but I forget what thread it was.

Thanks to all to contribute

 

[Winged_Wheel88]

I've got a Yamaha upright piano. Can't help with the electric stuff. Sorry.

 

[blindbaby]

I just bought a Yamaha MM6 Workstation a couple of days ago, but I'm still waiting for it to arrive. The MM6 has a sound engine based on the Yamaha Motif series of keyboards. You can pick it up the MM6 as a re-stock at Musiciansfriend.com for under $450 (about $600 new). This is a 61 key model so if you need 88, it's going to cost a bit more

I researched a lot of keyboards (Roland Juno-Di, Korg X50, Casio WK-7500) and the Yamaha MM6 was clearly the best sounding and most convincing for the bread and butter sounds -- piano, organ, strings. The Korg was probably better for synth sounds, but I don't need that since I have Dimension Pro VST software with about 3,000 patches. The Juno Di wasn't too bad, but was another hundred bucks more.

If you really need to stay under 500 bucks, check out Casio WK-7500. Seriously, it's not a bad board for about 5 hun and it's 88 keys.

Here's the keyboard I just bought; check out this video demo for the MM6 and see for yourself:

YouTube - ‪Yamaha MM6‬‏

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

Thanks for the info. Definitely shouldnt have watched that video because it does make me want one. I do want to keep my price range low and if it is something I stick with I will invest in a better model.

 

[Bizzle McDizzle]

Had a Roland Juno-106 in 1985, bought at Manny''s on 48th street.


I was such a totally wicked awesome cooooool 80's rocker.
Would go to a Black Flag show at night, and come home and practice the keyboard parts to Van Halen "Jump" and J. Giels "Centerfold". lol


Can probably find one of those for about $1.75 now.

 

[blindbaby]

You might find this useful: Synth Mania

Basically, you can check out the sounds of a lot of new and discontinued workstations and synths. There are descriptions of each instrument and a general idea of pricing, but really, it's the sound samples that are the most interesting.

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

So here are a couple I was looking at. Trying to stick around 300 bucks. Are these OK for around that price?

Yamaha ypg-235 Yamaha YPG-235 Electronic Digital Keyboard 76 Key Piano | eBay

Yamaha Dgx-233 NEW YAMAHA DGX-230 KEYBOARD digital piano STAND+ADAPTER | eBay

 

[beantownmaniac]

So here are a couple I was looking at. Trying to stick around 300 bucks. Are these OK for around that price?

Yamaha ypg-235 Yamaha YPG-235 Electronic Digital Keyboard 76 Key Piano | eBay

Yamaha Dgx-233 NEW YAMAHA DGX-230 KEYBOARD digital piano STAND+ADAPTER | eBay

My best friend bought this model:

Yamaha portable grand DGX-530. It has a lot of sounds, a full 88 keys. My buddy records on his computer with it. I think he bought at BJ's wholesale club

This is it. I highly recommend it.

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-DGX530-D...6580392?pt=Keyboards_MIDI&hash=item43a7b6bf28

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

My best friend bought this model:

Yamaha portable grand DGX-530. It has a lot of sounds, a full 88 keys. My buddy records on his computer with it. I think he bought at BJ's wholesale club

This is it. I highly recommend it.

YAMAHA DGX530 DGX-530 ELECTRONIC KEYBOARD~GRAND PIANO! | eBay

I was actually looking at that one and would prefer it, for just 80 bucks more. But then I looked at the shipping charge for that one. 110 bucks!


edit: even with that shipping charge it is still one of the cheapest deals.

 

[blindbaby]

I don't think you can go too wrong with a Yamaha piano; I can't remember ever hearing a really bad one. I'm not sure about the YPR, but I know the DGX has graded key action, so me, that would probably be more of a tipping point towards it. Also, the DGX comes with a keyboard stand which is nice to have and will save you about 20 bucks or so.

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

I don't think you can go too wrong with a Yamaha piano; I can't remember ever hearing a really bad one. I'm not sure about the YPR, but I know the DGX has graded key action, so me, that would probably be more of a tipping point towards it. Also, the DGX comes with a keyboard stand which is nice to have and will save you about 20 bucks or so.

Cool thanks. Actually from what I am reading (and by looking at the pictures), the two I posted above seem to be the same thing despite having different names.

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

I don't think you can go too wrong with a Yamaha piano; I can't remember ever hearing a really bad one. I'm not sure about the YPR, but I know the DGX has graded key action, so me, that would probably be more of a tipping point towards it. Also, the DGX comes with a keyboard stand which is nice to have and will save you about 20 bucks or so.

I retract my previous post. I went to guitar center today just to check them out. You are correct, since only the dgx comes with the stand and adaptor. The ypr is essentially the same but does not come with stand or even an adaptor. The dgx has more of a piano feel to it.

I am probably going to go with the dgx for about $280 on amazon.

 

[SLY]

Nice... Once I get my own place, I wanna set up a room for just music, def wanna pick up a keyboard/piano, let me know how you like it when you get it. 280 bucks is not bad.

edit: POST 19,000! lol, oh well, at least its music related.

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

Nice... Once I get my own place, I wanna set up a room for just music, def wanna pick up a keyboard/piano, let me know how you like it when you get it. 280 bucks is not bad.

edit: POST 19,000! lol, oh well, at least its music related.

I will certainly do that. And congrats on 19,000!!!!!!!!


( do we congratulate people for posting 19,000 times on a message board?)

 

[dare2be]

I will certainly do that. And congrats on 19,000!!!!!!!!


( do we congratulate people for posting 19,000 times on a message board?)

Your next post will be 1800, so why not?

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

1,800!!!




not really a milestone

 

[li0lsh]

you can buy an amazing piano for 500

I play the synthesizer with my Korg. Love it and i got it for only 425.

 

[PhillyPhaithful48]

you can buy an amazing piano for 500

I play the synthesizer with my Korg. Love it and i got it for only 425.

I think I would go that route when I get my own place and can store a decent one.

.....and also get better

 

[blindbaby]

Here's a deal on the DGX from ZZsounds. It's a re-stock, but for 169 bucks, I don't think you can go too wrong:

Yamaha DGX230 | Digital Stage Pianos at zZounds

 

[blindbaby]

As much as I love my Yamaha MM6 - and believe me, I do - I'm already putting money aside to either get a Yamaha Motif ES, or, a Korg Kronos. The wifey is a bit pissy at me because she thinks I should have been smarter and just bought the Motif, but I couldn't justify putting out that kind of money on my first board. I think she's probably right, though.