Replacing my Yamaha P-90 DP

[The Real MC]

I am replacing my Yamaha P-90. The heavy action is causing finger splits when I play Jerry Lee Lewis 16th note repetitions in my southern rock band and I am TIRED of bandages on my fingers and not being able to play my best!

 

I need a DP with action lighter than the P-90.

 

Looking for suggestions for an 88-key weighted action DP with AP, EP (rhodes/wurly/clav), pseudo-Hammond. Nothing fancy in the sound dept, MIDI/USB not important, sequencer/recorder not important, this board is for rehearsal and non critical sessions. Onboard speakers not needed.

 

Have read of the Casio PX-5S, hope to find one in a store.

[The Real MC]

And I'm not using it for MIDI at all. I am using my Kurzweil MIDIBoard for road use, I only need the DP for rehearsal.

[Sven Golly]

Casio PX5s is great; their PX350 would probably come close to covering your sound requirements if you need to save a few bucks and don't need all the extra sonic weaponry that the 5s brings to the game.

[Dave Bryce]

Casio PX5s is great; their PX350 would probably come close to covering your sound requirements if you need to save a few bucks and don't need all the extra sonic weaponry that the 5s brings to the game.

Eh...for the extra few $, the PX5s is the way to go. Worth it for the extra sounds and programming capabilities. Brother MC would definitely appreciate that aspect.

 

dB

[Sven Golly]

Casio PX5s is great; their PX350 would probably come close to covering your sound requirements if you need to save a few bucks and don't need all the extra sonic weaponry that the 5s brings to the game.

Eh...for the extra few $, the PX5s is the way to go. Worth it for the extra sounds and programming capabilities. Brother MC would definitely appreciate that aspect.

 

dB

 

Agreed, but figured since its a rehearsal-only board, it might not be as important.

 

I'd take the PX5s every time, personally. Nothing comes close at that price point.

[mynameisdanno]

+1. I did an A/B shootout with the P95 and the PX-3 a while back, and the PX-3 was definitely the lighter action. I imagine the same applies to the current Privia offerings.

[stoken6]

I'd take the PX5s every time, personally. Nothing comes close at that price point.

 

+1. Great action, light weight and good controller features. You never grow out of a board like that, even if your circumstances change and you stop needing a rehearsal-only board.

 

Cheers, Mike.

[The Real MC]

Mission accomplished.

 

Found a PX-150 and PX-350M at a GC. Didn't care for the sounds of either of them. The 150 had same soggy action like my P-90, but 350M was better action. The closest GC that had a PX5S in stock was in Brooklyn 300 miles away, and GC doesn't stock them at our stores. Armed with that info I saved myself a trip to Syracuse.

 

I expressed my desires about the action, GC assured me that the PX5S had the same action as the 350M. I had a couple more stores to scope out so I held off ordering one.

 

I did find a PX5S at a store I least expected to see one (!). Unfortunately, that board had heavy action like my P-90 so instant deal killer. Agree with Brother DB that it would had been the better board soundwise, but the action didn't meet my needs (GC lied).

 

So I tried the other DPs in the store. The one I took home was a Korg PG-350. Good action, decent BnB sounds and variety, simple interface, no auto chord or other home piano stuff I don't want to pay for. Just a simple DP for rehearsal. Not something I'd use onstage or cart around, but it fits the job. I have been a longtime customer of the store, he knocked $100 off the price for the floor model. Always liked that place.