Casio Privia PX330 digital piano song video! See & hear it now!

UPDATED REVIEW - January 15, 2013. The PX330 is discontinued and the new improved PX350 has taken its place. Go here to see my review of the new PX350: Casio PX350 Review. I made this video so you could hear the sound of the Casio Privia PX330 piano. I played the song live myself using the stereo acoustic piano tone layered with a soft synth-string tone.

This really is a very nice portable piano (in it's price range) for home, stage, church, school, or just about anywhere else. However the new PX350 is substantially improved in terms of realistic piano key action, piano sound, and features and I strongly suggest you take a look at that one.

Also, contact me at tim@azpianowholesale.com or call me direct at 602-571-1864 to find out about lower than internet prices on many new digital pianos. 

REVIEW - Roland HP302, HP305, & HP307 - Very nice digital pianos with a few exceptions

UPDATED REVIEW - May 11, 2013 - Roland has discontinued the HP300 series of pianos (below) and replaced them with the new 500 series which are called HP503, HP505, & HP507. These pianos are not only improved over the HP300 series, but they are a bit less money too. So if you were thinking of looking at or purchasing a HP302, 305, or 307, unless it's a VERY low price, I would get a new model instead. Go to the following link to see my review on the new Roland HP500 series as well as the Roland LX15: HP503, 505, 507, LX15 Review

Original review of the HP302, 305, & 307. All models are very nice to look at (especially in the satin black finish) and smooth to play, especially with their new simulated synthetic ivory keys (on the HP305 & HP307). There is a difference in the response and quickness of the action and velocity levels on the HP307 as opposed to the HP305 or HP302, so that is something you may want to be aware of. Also, (as opposed to the HP305), the HP307 has twice the audio power along with a better built-in speaker system which makes a significant difference in the two models. Is it worth the difference in price?...I think so. However, I did find the HP307 to have a sound system that was a bit odd in that the piano tone was more muffled and mostly coming from the bottom of the piano instead of surrounding you. I have heard better systems on other furniture cabinet digital pianos. All models have 337 nice sounding instrument tones but the HP302 has only 24 watts total audio power as compared to the HP305 at 60 watts total power. At approx $2500-$3000 selling price, the HP302 has a very weak audio system, especially considering Roland knows how to build some great pro audio speaker systems. I give low marks to Roland for that especially at its higher price. The HP302 should have a least 40 to 60 watts of total power with a better speakers which would give it a fuller tone with more bass like other new digital pianos in that price range.

And finally, the HP302 has a problem when the keys are being played and they make a very noticeable thumping noise when hitting the bottom underneath the keys. It's like taking your fist and hitting it on a table up and down, although I did not find it as noticeable on the HP305 or HP307. In fact this thumping or thunking noise is so loud you can even hear it while wearing headphones, that's how loud it is. And if you are wearing headphones playing the piano, other people in the room or house don't hear your music (which is the point of headphones) but they sure do hear the thumping noise and it's very annoying. In reality, I would call this issue a design defect because I have heard this loud thumping noise in every HP302 I have played, and I have played at least 5 different ones. So for that reason (and the power power output) I would not recommend the HP302.

If you're looking for a great piano experience at a lower price, then you should also check out the new Kawai MP6 and MP10 portable grand pianos as well as the new Kawai CN33 & CN43 furniture cabinet pianos, which in my opinion are a much better choice and the prices on these models are very attractive. 

As far as the HP pianos go, Roland has done a great job in producing nice instruments that I like with the exception of the HP302 issues I described. You can go to the Roland piano web site for details and specs on each one. Also, if you get a chance, take a look at the contemporary Roland LX10 upright piano in polished ebony ($5199) which is their upright digital piano and I do recommend it.

By the way take a look at my following blog link below for more Roland piano reviews as well as more detail on the lower priced HP302.

http://azpianonews.blogspot.com/2010/06/roland-hpi6s-dp990f-hp302-digital.html

If you're looking to even spend less money while still getting a very nice instrument, I recommend you also look at the Casio AP620 Celviano piano (pictured left) for just $1399 internet discount price. I believe you will be impressed at how nice this piano is including a good stereo piano touch & tone like an upright piano...and this model even has the ivory top keys like the top of the line Roland's, but for less money. With 250 instrument sounds, 128-note polyphony, a 16-track digital recorder-player with micro editing, SD card memory for playing & recording General MIDI files, a large 60 watt stereo sound system with 4 speakers, chord accompaniment & drum section, and a great looking piano style cabinet, I think the Casio AP620 is a real winner for its low price. The Roland pianos, however, are very smooth playing instruments (except the for the issues on the HP302) and have a nice resonate piano sound, but they are quite a bit more money. But for many families across the US, the Casio AP620 has been more than enough instrument to bring beautiful music into the home, and it costs over a $1000 less than the basic Roland HP302 and has a quieter keyboard action.

Check out my blog article about the Casio AP620 at the following link:
http://azpianonews.blogspot.com/2010/01/all-new-casio-celviano-ap620-piano-is.html

If you want more info on these and other pianos and LOWER PRICES than internet discounts, please email me at tim@azpianowholesale.com or call direct at 602-571-1864.
 

REVIEW - Roland HP302, HP305, & HP307 Digital Pianos - Very Nice with the exception of the HP302

UPDATED REVIEW - May 12, 2013 - Roland has discontinued the HP300 series of pianos (below) and replaced them with the newer HP500 series which are called HP503, HP505, & HP507. These pianos are not only improved over the HP300 series and not much more money. If you were thinking of looking at or purchasing a HP302, 305, or 307, unless it's a VERY low price, I would get a new model instead. Go to the following link to see my review on the new Roland HP500 series as well as the Roland LX15: HP503, 505, 507, LX15 Review 

Original review of HP302, HP305, & HP307: Roland has been a leader in digital piano technology for many years and is known for professional quality instruments. As of this writing, their latest lineup of home cabinet digital pianos is Roland HP (home piano) series with the best sounding best feeling digital pianos Roland has offered. I have personally played all of them over the years and they are one of the best digital piano line-ups in their price range on the market, with a few exceptions as you'll read below.

However there is one caveat: they are not inexpensive. After discounts and depending on the piano store, the entry model HP302 should generally sell for approx $2599, the next model HP305 at approx $3000, and the top of the line HP307 sells at approx $4300, although the 305 & 307 also come in an upgraded polished ebony cabinet for approx $600 more each. (Please note that Roland can change their retail and discount pricing at any time up or down.)

These new models really are very attractive (particularly in the satin black cabinets) and feel good to play, especially with their new simulated synthetic ivory keys (on the HP305 & HP307), SuperNATURAL Piano Sound, and a smooth action (PHAII 2-sensor key action with escapement). And if you're a real good piano player (at least in your own mind:), there is a big difference in the response and quickness of the action and electronics on the HP307 (using their newer PHAIII 3-sensor action) as opposed to the HP305 or HP302. Also, (as opposed to the HP305), the HP307 has twice the audio power (although it doesn't sound as full as it could be compared to an upright or grand) along with a better built-in speaker system which makes a significant difference in the two models. And the HP305 has over twice the total audio power as the HP302 (60 watts vs 24 watts respectively) which make s a big difference in the fullness and richness of the piano tone in the HP305. Finally, all HP models have 337 very nice instrument tones for lots of variety which is a good thing. 

The HP302 has only 24 watts total audio power as compared to the HP305 at 60 watts total power which I mentioned above. At approx $2500 selling price, the HP302 has a very weak audio system, especially considering Roland knows how to build some great pro audio speaker systems. I give low marks to Roland for that, especially at the higher price of the HP302. The HP302 should have a least 40 to 60 watts of total power with a better speakers (like the HP305) which would give it a fuller tone with more bass, like other new digital pianos in that price range.

And finally, the HP302 has a problem when the keys are being played and they make a very noticeable thumping noise when hitting the bottom underneath the keys. It's like taking your fist and hitting it on a table up and down, although I did not find it near as noticeable on the HP305 or HP307. In fact this thumping or thunking noise is so loud you can even hear it while wearing headphones, that's how loud it is. And if you are wearing headphones playing the piano, other people in the room or house don't hear your music (which is the point of headphones) but they sure do hear the thumping noise and it's very annoying. In reality, I would call this issue a design defect because I have heard this loud thumping noise in every HP302 I have played, and I have played at least 5 different ones. So for that reason (and the lack of good power output) I would not recommend the HP302.

Overall however, spending at least $2500 for any new digital piano is a big commitment, especially in this economy so you really need to make an educated decision before you buy. If you are looking for a digital piano that does a fine job in trying to reproduce a grand piano playing experience, then the Roland may be for you. Also, the Roland pianos have been very reliable over the years and rarely break down based on my experience with them. 
 If you are a picky piano person who wants an upgraded piano sound in a nice furniture style cabinet, then the Roland may be the way to go. But for those piano people who don't mind getting a more portable (non furniture cabinet) digital piano so they can have the best possible grand piano tone and keytouch playing experience for between $1500-$3000, then you should also check out the new Kawai MP6 & MP10 pianos. They have been a huge success for the Kawai company and as far as I'm concerned, a much better digital piano playing experience than even the Roland HP307, and for a lot less money. Check them out at the links below:

http://azpianonews.blogspot.com/2011/03/kawai-mp10-digital-piano-review-best.html

http://azpianonews.blogspot.com/2011/01/kawai-mp6-digital-piano-awesome-piano.html

Lastly, check out the Kawai CE220 piano (left pic) with an actual acoustic piano wood keyboard for only $1899 internet price. The action is smooth, responsive, and solid, and very quiet no matter how soft or hard you play it. I have done a review of that model on this blog if you care to check it out: Kawai CE220 Review

  

If you want more piano info and LOWER PRICES than internet or store discounts, please email me at tim@azpianowholesale.com or call direct at 602-571-1864

Tim Praskins visits Casio & Yamaha piano factories in Japan!

Some years ago, I was invited (along with a small group of distinguished music instrument experts and store owners) to personally visit the Casio & Yamaha piano factories and headquarters in Japan. These were 2 separate visits for 1 week each and I received a full tour of each piano factory and was able to see first hand how their acoustic & digital pianos were built. All I can say is HAI (pronounced "Hi")...that means YES in Japanese. Yes, those factories were so technologically advanced and sophisticated it was incredible to see!

I saw hundreds of different products being built including guitars & drums at the Yamaha factory. In fact I built my very own custom Yamaha electric guitar while I was at the Yamaha factory and signed my name to it. It even works and plays great. And it's a custom one-of-a-kind color. I got to eat lots of authentic Japanese food all over the place including restaurants in Tokyo, Hamamatsu, and Osaka.

But I must say I was impressed by the hard work, skill, and attention to detail of those instrument builders. There are few people in this country who have been able to take a small group private tour of these facilities, but I was fortunate enough to be chosen primarily because I am considered by many to be an expert in understanding many of the music products that these companies make, especially their digital pianos and keyboards. Unfortunately I wasn't able to tour the Roland piano factory while I was there, but Roland is equal to the craftsmanship and reliability of these other Japanese piano & keyboard factories. I have also been to the U.S. headquarters of both the Roland & Yamaha companies and know many of those people quite well.

So when you want to get more info on the latest digital pianos, then contact the person who knows his stuff and has been to the factories and seen these things made. And if for some reason I don't have the answers to your questions, I can get them.

Contact me at tim@azpianowholesale.com or call direct at 602-571-1864

Buyers Guide for New & Used Digital Pianos - What you should know

UPDATE: July 1, 2012 - Digital Piano Buyers Guide - There are hundreds new & used pianos for sale all over America at various Internet and local music, piano, and general merchandise stores. Generally speaking, most used digital pianos (portable or home cabinet style) for sale are somewhat risky investments because digital technology changes so quickly and new digital pianos are significantly better than the older ones and may even cost less money. Also, there can be intermittent electronic problems that you may not know about until you get it home and play it for awhile, and then it's too late...your stuck. And the cost to repair those pianos (if you can get parts and service) can be expensive. So basically, with a few exceptions, I advise people to stay away from buying used digital pianos unless you really know what you are doing. And when it comes to those exceptions, it's a case by case scenario and you'd have to get some expert advice from someone who knows.

One of the best ways to navigate through the minefield of used acoustic pianos is to have one you're interested in inspected by an independent, experienced, knowledgeable, and reliable tuner/technician in your area. If it were me, I would hire that piano tech to come out and inspect and even appraise the used piano I was looking to purchase, especially from a private party. If the used piano was in a piano store, then that might be a safer bet, but I may still consider hiring a technician to inspect it.

Not all new digital pianos are created equal. Some are great, some are good, and some are...bad. Most of the time you cannot tell by just looking at them because some look great but play bad. The best thing to do is research new digital pianos before you make your purchase. I can help you with that if you look through my blog reviews on many brands and models of new digital pianos. You can also contact me direct and I will be happy to give you specific advice...at no charge.

Casio AP620

Here are a couple of new digital piano suggestions: If you are looking for a very good quality digital piano for a lower price, there are two digital pianos available now, that in my opinion, are not only wonderful pianos for piano tone, touch, and cabinet design, but they have fun and educational features that will help with students piano lessons & practice. They are the Kawai CE220 and the Casio AP620 Celviano. I have done reviews on these pianos as well as many others, so check them out when you have time.

For more info on digital & acoustic pianos as well as how to get a new digital piano for less money than internet and local US store prices, contact me at tim@azpianowholesale.com or call me direct at 602-571-1864.