88 keys with very good piano sounds

Hi everyone:
A friend of mine is looking for an 88 key hammer action keyboard. It does not have to have a sequencer or arranger functions nor drum patterns. All she wants is a very good acoustic piano sound, some organs and some strings. She wants it so she can carry on gigs.
The budget is around 1200.

Any one has any suggestions?

Thanks

The Yamaha P120 sounds like exactly what your friend is looking for. It has the sound, the keyboard feel and the price you mention.

The only drawback of all 88 key pianos for gigging is that the weighted action makes the keyboard heavy to lift and it won't fit in the average car.


[This message has been edited by Nigel (edited 03-14-2005).]

Thanks Nigel:
Is there any thing with those specs from
Roland or Korg?

Take a look at the RD-300SX from Roland. It is also a bit lighter than most.

I gig with the Korg SP100.
Why not check out the SP200 and/or 300. You might be pleasantly surprised.
Just my thots.

------------------
...shboom

Thanks every one for those responses.
I will pass the information on.

I agree with Nigel on this one. I been looking top and bottom for a decent sounding piano in which the other sounds such as electric piano, organ, and strings are good as well. Up to (and including) the Yamaha P-80, they all fail miserably. BUT when Yamaha released the P-120 I was in heaven. Not only are the sounds just about spot on, but the FEEL is incredible. Like the ad says, close your eyes and you think you are playing a concert grand. The entire Korg S-series doens't even come close...I know I fix them day in/out. The Roland has a better feel than the Korg, but misses the sound mark as well. All the P-series Yamaha's are a good bet to go with. The P-120 is my favorite of the bunch, but is also the 2nd to most pricy (the P-250 is the top model with all the bells and whistles). Next in line is the P-90. I have not heard this one as it was not hooked up in the store. It doesn't have built in speakers, but judging by the keyboard feel, I guess I couls say it is a slightly parred down version of the P-120. Lastly is the P-60. This is the most stripped down unit you can get, and it only has 10 sounds. The sounds ARE spot on like the 120 though. However, you may find this unit a bit limiting as it doesn't have line outs to hook up to a larger speaker system. The sound bank also lacks a jazz Hammond B3 type sound . But otherwise it is a nice unit. Pipe organ is exceptional just like on the P-120. The Korg's pipe organ is horrible. If I had the extra bucks and the $1200 budget you are working with...go for broke and get the P-120. I know I will once I get the money together. A really nice piece.

Geo

Here is another vote for the Roland RD 300sx

Hello...

just another idea - I've got a Roland FP2 Stage piano for gigging - not that many useful bells and whistles - but a full size excellent piano sound and weighted keys.