looking for an inexpensive keyboard

flig_chris · 02-24-2002, 10:30 PM

i attend the wesley student center at northwest missouri state and we are looking to get a keyboard since the piano we have ALWAYS goes out of tune due to the room it is located in (extreame hi's and low's). we don't have a lot of money to spend, but just need something really basic. would really like 88 weighted keys. we have a sound system to run it through, so we're just looking for just the keyboard. please keep in mind that we are on a really tight budget.

thanks for your help and input.

chris

Nate · 02-25-2002, 03:55 PM

The cheapest 88-note keyboard that you are gonna find is gonna be the Kurzweil SP-88. If you go for the semi-weighted version of it (as opposed to the fully-weighted SP-88x), you should be able to get it for about $600-700. Check at www.musiciansfriend.com, they usually have good deals on the SP-series. Another board to check out would be the Roland RS-9... it's got 88 semi-weighted keys and comes at about $1000. The extra cost is justified seeing as the RS-9 has a LOT more variety when it comes to sounds. The SP-88 has mostly piano, electric piano, and organ sounds. The RS-9 has a fairly full soundset all derived from the XV-series.

flig_chris · 02-25-2002, 04:07 PM

Thanks for the input... I'm not sure if they'll go a $1000 keyboard, but I'll be sure to pass the info on.

On a side note, are you a Gomer?

Chris

Nate · 02-25-2002, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flig_chris
On a side note, are you a Gomer?

Hehe.... if you mean "Do you post at the Third Day message boards?", then the answer is no. But if you mean "Are you a Gomer as defined by Third Day from Gomer's Theme?"... then yes, I am a Gomer.

Nate · 02-25-2002, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by flig_chris
I'm not sure if they'll go a $1000 keyboard, but I'll be sure to pass the info on.

Definitely look into the SP-88 then. I checked the price today in the Musician's Friend catalog and they were selling it for $700. If you buy used or a factory-refurb... you should be able to get one for about $600. Check eBay too.... you just might find a really good deal.

Don't let the relatively low price scare you... it actually is a pretty good board. I've been considering getting the 76-key version to supplement my main board for quite some time now. Just haven't come up with the $500 to do it.

flig_chris · 03-04-2002, 07:07 AM

what about the korg sp-100 (or 200)? how does this keyboard stack up against the kurzweil?

thanks again.

chris

Nate · 03-05-2002, 09:51 AM

I've never really heard any of Korg's stage pianos.... but I know that Korg's acoustic piano sounds tend to be a little too thin for my tastes. Their flagship Triton is kinda infamous for this..... so I'd assume their stage pianos would be similar. Don't get me wrong though, the sound isn't bad by any means... I just don't think it's quite as nice as Kurzweil's or Roland's. Then again, you may like the sound of the Korg.... try to find a music store near you that carries all these boards and go here them for yourself.... that's the best advice I can give you.