Keyboards?

[Diffusion]

At the moment I am doing a Grade 7 ABRSM exam in Piano. I would like to get a keyboard that I can carry around, and can connect to my computer for composition, however I have found that standard 61 key keyboards simply aren't big enough! I figured that this is probably one of the better places to ask, so - Does anyone here know of any good quality keyboards (76/88 key) that can be bought in the UK for under £200 (~$400). To be honest I don't really care what country it comes from..but international shipping on something that big (~10kg) seems to be quoted quite high by american websites >.>

Thanks,
Rob

[l0vemetal]

What I do when I'm feeling cheap is do some research on some prices, maybe browse around some reputable brands that you know or have heard of as being good-quality. Depending on how long you've been playing, this could be really easy, or just a shot in the dark. Browse around your price range and find something you like, then use...

My best friend. Seriously. Sounds a little "risky" or "shaky," but I actually found my Warwick RockBass Vampyre ($699) with a Warwick RockCase flight case ($300) for $500. Find the brand / model you want, look 'er up, and enjoy your results.

[Diffusion]

Thanks for the advice :D

[jrhager84]

I wish my keyboard only cost me 400 bucks...

Also, just to add, you aren't going to really get into "quality" keyboards until you hit quadruple digits (especially for a 76/88key). My Triton Xtreme (when it was new) was 2400 bucks (88 key). Good luck finding a good feeling keyboard for that cheap. Also, let me know when you do, I'd like to take a look as well. Happy hunting!

-Joel

[jarrydn]

At 10/22/08 10:19 AM, Diffusion wrote: At the moment I am doing a Grade 7 ABRSM exam in Piano. I would like to get a keyboard that I can carry around, and can connect to my computer for composition, however I have found that standard 61 key keyboards simply aren't big enough!

Do you need weighted keys, or are you happy with synth action, or semi-weighted?

[curriemaster]

Yo there, last year I bought myself a M-Audio Pro Keys 88SX to finally get a full size keyboard myself. Initially I was quite pleased with it, especially how it was replacing a shitty Yamaha kids toy basically. However the semi-weighted keys are quite irritating (I got my Grade 8 a few years ago and never really played keyboards but its all I have space for now unfortunately) and the samples are not the best. However the keyboard is ridiculously lightweight and sounds reasonable for the price, which was £220 for me from Sound Control.

Hope that helps!

[Gorgorothx]

Do you have some sort of classified ads over in the U.K.? Check those out, people are always wanting to get rid of good instruments / equipment... sometimes for real cheap.

[joshhunsaker]

i would stick with a used Fatar Studiologic...you might be able to land one of craigslist

[DavidOrr]

The only keyboard that costs about $400 with a decent 88-key weighted keyboard is the Casio Privia PX 110/120, which you can sometimes find for $399. There was one keyboard Casio was making with the same physical keyboard but less features that ESP'd at $399, but I don't think they're making it anymore (probably had virtually zero profit off the model). Every other keyboard I've played on for $399 has terrible weighted action (coming from a classical pianist).

[loansindi]

I'm a big fan of the casio privias. Pretty sweet action for the price.