I have started to play keyboards and saxophone on a local band. We have a place to practice and I will use my Roland RD-150 there. What I don´t like is the idea to carry the piano to the place where we practice and back every week. So I have been thinking of buying a second stage piano. I have my Tyros at home, but I also want 88 piano keys, not 61 keyboard keys.

Today I went to the local music store to see what is available. There was Roland RD-170 and Yamaha P90, but there was also a great offer of Yamaha S08. Now I don´t know which of these I should buy. Could some of you help me?



I think the RD-170 has the best piano sound and keys, but the difference to S08 is not very big and in the other hand the S08 has much more sounds and functions. The P90 is just fine, but not as good as the other two. Still I don´t know which to buy. I guess, I don´t trust myself.



Micco

Micco,

I just went through the same exercise. I have the Tyros and a Korg Triton. On busy weeks, I end up with my gear packed in the car ready to leaving me without a practice piano in the house.

I narrowed my choices for a practice piano to the P-250 (very Nice), P-120, and the P-100. I even looked in the local paper for a used spinet or console acoustic piano, but we just don't have the room in the house any longer.

At the end of the day, guess what I bought?

I purchased the Motif ES 88. The Piano sound and feel are very good, but I really bought this as a backup in case my Korg dies.

Good Luck with YOUR search. It's fun, isn't it?

Regards,
Al

Have you demoed the Roland EP-760. This is a 76 note piano, and it is very inexpensive, but to my ears, it sounds better then the most expensive Yamahas, Rolands, and Korgs. Just my weird ears?
Starkeeper

There a lot of choices there, you could pick a stagepiano, or a synth with 88 weighted keys (like the s08), the latter obviously has more sounds and features, you could pick an entry level performance synth like the s08, or get a more powerful S90 (which has a better piano sound), or if you have lots of cash to spend, A Motif ES, or maybe even better, A Roland Fantom X8.
Just try them all and see what you like .

Greetz ,
Marcel

Sorry micco, I don't give opinions!!
Boo

I am only familiar with the S80 and the basic Roland piano action and sounds. I am partial to the Roland piano too, but think the 08, if it is as similar to the 80 as they say, would be a great soound investment. I don't know what your sonic needs are, but those two would definitely make me stop and think too - I think I'd choose the S08 for its sounds - you already have a RD150 for the Roland keyboard and sound.

Look into Roland RD700, excellent price at www.bpmmusic.com It is also expandable with SRX cards.

[This message has been edited by harosha (edited 01-19-2004).]

I recently had a play with a Yamaha YDP 223 (in CostCo Glasgow UK!!). I thought the keyboard action was very good (Graded Hammer action) and compared well with some recent "real" pianos I've played (but they were all uprights...). Sounded OK too, but without headphones I don't think I was in the best audition environment!

I would really like to see what the triple sample Yamaha digital piano's sounds like (e.g. the P250) for comparison, although I'm really looking for something to use at home rather than use on stage.

There's a fella I know who evangelises about Korg digital pianos, and he's no idiot, but I think I prefer the Yamaha keyboard action. There's little in it. Personal choice time - we are in the dreaded "try them all and see what you think" zone here!

Micco, check this out from the SZ for sale forum:
http://www.synthzone.com/ubbs/Forum29/HTML/001322.html

Yesterday I bought the Yamaha S08 and I like it very much. The touch is good (to me like a Steinway) and the piano sound is fantastic. Also the price was not bad at all. It was 1350 euros.

Micco