More on digital pianos, & recommendation on medels.

In the same price range, the buyer gets more from a digital piano than from an acoustic piano. Pianos under $3000 are mostly from crappy to marginally acceptable. However, buyers who are interested in digital piano need to keep one factor in mind: Depreciation.

I bought a ten-year-old Yamaha digital piano, model Clavinova CLP-511, a few days ago. I paid $249. Before making the decision, I did some research. Yamaha discontinued this model in 1998. The list price then was $2499. The owner probably paid around $2000 for it.

If the owner had bought an acoustic piano then, the $2000 would have gotten him a cheapest piano in the showroom, a shinny-black 42’ console, made in China or South Korea. How does a 10-yr old, no-name, shinny black console worth today? I would not be surprised to see people asking for $2000 or more on Craigslist. You are going to see phrases “rarely played”, “like new” in the AD. If you get the price down to around $1500, you get a great deal.

I do not against having digital piano. With the new addition, I own two now. Of course, I have acoustic pianos as well. However, just like buying a house, getting the cheapest may not be the best deal. Resale value has to be included into consideration.



To 黎程程, Lily3 and others who were asking for recommendation on particular models: Since I was on the market for one, I talked with a friend of mine, who owns an authorized service for many major brands. His recommendation was: If new: Yamaha P-140, street price $1000, then you have to buy a stand, a bench and pedal for it. His recommendation on used is Yamaha P-80. He recommended them highly on the touch, sound, and value of those instruments. BTW, he plays, composes on those instruments, and most important, he makes a living on serving them. I trust his opinion.



One last thing: Frequently, I see people here think “touch sensitive” and “weight keys” are the same thing. They are not. I may come back later to explain, or you may do some research to find the right answer.



Good day.

所有跟帖： 

• 讲得真清楚，谢谢：）） -胡桃架子-- ♀ (0 bytes) () 08/27/2009 postreply 10:01:41

• 谢谢！ -study- ♀ (0 bytes) () 08/27/2009 postreply 10:04:47

• Many thanks, Please come back... -Lily3- ♀ (0 bytes) () 08/27/2009 postreply 10:06:53

• 培养钢琴家，机械钢琴上练。否则就是核武器炸蚊子： -海底两万哩- ♀ (10 bytes) () 08/27/2009 postreply 10:09:47

• 写得很好. 不过,这是好玩的东西,不用考虑depreciation吧,又不是投资:) -笑_脸- ♀ (0 bytes) () 08/27/2009 postreply 10:09:53

• Just think I wrote this the post to the people who view -Passerby- ♀ (180 bytes) () 08/27/2009 postreply 10:24:47

• 写得好.我再补充几句 -MMXIAO- ♀ (641 bytes) () 08/27/2009 postreply 10:27:45

• U'r right. The bells & wistles cost $. For same $, the plain one -Passerby- ♀ (0 bytes) () 08/27/2009 postreply 11:55:40

• the plain ones are better. -Passerby- ♀ (0 bytes) () 08/27/2009 postreply 11:56:54

• Would you recommend Clavinnova? If yes, which model? -lily3- ♀ (0 bytes) () 08/27/2009 postreply 10:38:51

• I'll let you know the model(s) I like after I play them. -Passerby- ♀ (0 bytes) () 08/27/2009 postreply 12:27:45

• I own a CLP & a CVP, both Clavinovas. Yes, they're good. -Passerby- ♀ (0 bytes) () 08/27/2009 postreply 12:02:26

• Thanks again!. -lily3- ♀ (0 bytes) () 08/27/2009 postreply 18:59:41