Keyboard/Electric Piano up to $150 (inc postage)

Llupiter on 22/02/2016 - 08:22
Last edited 22/02/2016 - 09:58

I'm looking for a keyboard to play at home (trying to get back into it). I'd like a Yamaha or Casio or similar and the following:

Must have:
- A/C Power
- 61 or more keys
- Full size keys (or very near, no dinky toys thanks)
- sustain/dampen pedal
- headphone jack
- the more compact the better

Would like a lot:
- Stand,
- Midi out (usb or old style)

Willing to compromise on:
- Touch-sensitivity

Not interested in: Automatic backing, light up keys, 1001 musical instruments, tutorial modes.

I've seen the Casio CTK-2300 and CTK-3200, and the Yamaha NP11, but they're all a bit dear at over $200. I'm hoping to get something for about $150, but I'm will to pay up to $170 if it includes the pedal. I've looked on Gumtree but nobody seems to know if their keyboards have a sustain pedal jack (much less midi), those that list a model number I could look up did not have a pedal.

I'm in Canberra if that helps.

ETA: I've looked at the Casio CTK-1150 and the Yamaha PSR-F50 and they don't have a pedal jack.

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • biozet on 22/02/2016 - 09:52
    +1

    good luck baby

  • the-mal on 22/02/2016 - 10:42
    +2

    You'll be looking at a second hand very basic Casio or Yamaha and you'd have to pick it up (no postage). And even then it'd be a good deal - you won't find it in a shop.

    You're asking for too much and wanting to pay too little.

    A more reasonable price point if you want the stand, pedal and postage included for a 61 key full size keyboard would be around the $250 mark.

    Also most entry level keyboards won't have a sustain input, that's much more likely in the digital piano or midi controller type ranges.

    • lupiter on 22/02/2016 - 11:09

      Ah, perhaps I should clarify, I'm not expecting $150 to include the stand or pedal, but I would like a model where I could buy those later.

      Maybe I should focus on saving more money and then focus on practicing XD

      • the-mal on 22/02/2016 - 13:01
        +1

        Maybe I should focus on saving more money and then focus on practicing XD

        If I were you, I would do just that!

        If you really want to get back into playing you'll outgrow a cheap instrument so quickly and it'll put you off wanting to practice. I'm not saying you have to go and get a Steinway or anything, but a decent second hand piece of kit will last you way longer (and will hold resale value).

        Admittedly I was wanting to get back into piano not keyboard (so I needed at least semi-weighted keys) so I wasn't in exactly the same circumstance as you, but I ended up getting an "okay" midi-controller and running it through Ableton Live on my computer (a Lite version of it came free with the midi keyboard).

        I ended up getting an M Audio Keystation 61 second hand for $200 (and it was with a pedal too). Run this through my laptop via USB-to-MIDI and used my computer speakers. Zero latency and was able to use the awesome samples in Ableton to make it sound like I was playing a really beautiful piano (or whatever you want). It was the best compromise for me - I didn't have to fork out thousands for a top class digital piano, but I didn't end up with some piece of rubbish keyboard that sounded the ones we had in the music lab at high school.

        Something to think about! There are always quite a few midi controllers going on ebay/Gumtree and their owners are usually a bit more knowledgeable than someone selling an el-cheapo keyboard.

  • froggym on 22/02/2016 - 10:52

    Try looking on gumtree. You might find a deal there.

  • airzone on 22/02/2016 - 11:21
    +1

    Aldi have a keyboard coming up.
    https://www.aldi.com.au/en/special-buys/special-buys-sat-27-…

    TBH focus on saving money. You can get a Casio PX150/160 set incl stand, and 3 pedals, for sub $1k. They are very nice. 2nd hand, they will be much cheaper.

    edit: Some personal experience, I did exactly what you are thinking.. I played a hammond organ as a kid (and stopped at about 17) and then ~6 years back got a cheapie chinese piano on ebay. It was terrible and never really played it. Then about 2 years ago, I got a px150 with the intention of having something that both I and my kids could play with. The quality actually made it pleasing to play and so I now play reasonably well again.. And the oldest kid has been asking for lessons (and plays reasonably well for a 6yo)..

    • lupiter on 23/02/2016 - 14:45

      I don't have the space for px150, I have to be able to put away anything into a cupboard (small apartment). Do you have any suggestions as to what I might get that is really compact? I'm not looking to play classical piano, just play chords along with pop songs.

      • airzone on 23/02/2016 - 17:48

        I think you'll be limited to a 61 key unit.. The Aldi claims some touch sensitivity (but won't be weighted obviously) and is really cheap. Casio have a number of units that fit that size (with optional or included stands in some). http://www.casio-intl.com/asia-mea/en/emi/standard. Some also include a pedal.

        In respect to space, I found some in a 2br apartment with 2 adults and 2 kids. Admittedly it was a little cramped but given how rewarding I have found playing again, I felt it worthwhile to shuffle stuff about.

  • retiredfeline on 22/02/2016 - 11:34

    If you serious buy an instrument that is better than you are, otherwise you will dislike what you hear and not practice. Also the outlay will spur you to make use of the instrument. IME sustain is usually associated with weighted keyboards.

  • Randxyz123 on 23/02/2016 - 00:32

    Is there a Aldi in Canberra?

    Maybe purchase this and if you find you are enjoying it you can upgrade to a new one like the PX150 or better still a proper piano as a reward to yourself for getting better.

    Edit: was beaten to the aldi one by airzone.

    • lupiter on 23/02/2016 - 11:02

      I think I will probably wait and save like you suggest. But I don't have the space for a px150 much less an acoustic piano (ha ha and a new house is definitely out). Do you have any suggestions for something I could put away into a cupboard/wardrobe?

      • retiredfeline on 23/02/2016 - 15:14

        Some of those Roland keyboards are slim and used by travelling bands.

      • Randxyz123 on 23/02/2016 - 15:28

        The aldi one should be big enough to fit in a cupboard, depends on the cupboard of course though.

        With the possible exception of the px150 most keyboards are pretty portable and able to be stashed away easily.

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