New Casio PX310 vs. used Roland FP-3

[charles b]

I can get a used FP-3 in a pawn shop that works fine and has only a few cosmetic scratches for about the same price as a new PX-310. No PX310's in any of the shops in town to test out. Which one would be a better deal?

[MidLifeCrisis]

What is the price in the pawn shop?

Hard to make a comparison when we don't know all the variables. I dont know what a PX310 goes for. A quick "google" search shows you can buy a new FP3 for around $700.

 

I have an f30 which is from the same family of boards based on the F9. Its a great gigging board. Very solid piano and rhodes sounds in addition to being very compact and light weight.

I got mine from a pawn shop for $250. It was a great investment.

[Jazz+]

If it was me I would get the FP3. Why? Because I like its action, it's Suitcase Rhodes and its piano sound much better.

[eric]

Originally posted by Jazz+:

If it was me I would get the FP3. Why? Because I like its action, it's Suitcase Rhodes and its piano sound much better.

Jazz+,

 

Have you done a side-by-side showdown between these 2 instruments (if a Roland FP and Casio Privia are even worth calling "instruments") ?

 

Our main man charles b is new around here and his parameters for acceptance may be a bit flaccid compared to yours and mine, as fellow GEAR HEAD afficianados of the Keyboard Corner. Let's give him the leeway to experiment and decide whether Roland or Casio meets expectations for what he needs to do. If I was a newbie, I could probably play a Casio Privia for years and never think I was missing anything. I am basing this opinion on the kinds of keyboards that were available when I was a newbie. We really are getting spoiled these days. That's why it is GOOD to buy things and sell them.

 

Take it light, Jazz+.

 

Regards,

Eric

[niacin]

Yeh, it's a matter of taste. I bought the Casio. The acoustic pianos are cmparable with Roland/Yamaha/etc. and there are so many classic variations on the basic unaffected rhodes sound (provided largely by guitar effects pedals) that it's pretty silly to say one emulation is better than another. Depends what sort of sound you're looking for (Herbie? Chick? Zawinul? Richard Tee?). I found one of the Casio rhodes patches has a nice fat tone with alot of fundamental and a warm distorted layer when you dig in. Just what I wanted. The Casio's keybed is more rhodes-like than the Roland which is closer to the feel of an acoustic piano. Both are pro quality. The Casio is about half the weight of the Roland. Neither is a good midi controller. If you like the Roland - if you can sit and play it for an hour and enjoy it - I'd buy it over something you haven't had a chance to try.

[Krakit]

I'm embarrased to say this because I love Roland.

 

Most of my gear starting out was Roland.

 

Most of the gear I now own is Roland.

 

I hate Casio. I only own 1 Casio keyboard (the SK-1).

 

I've done a side by side with these two boards and the I think the Casio is better.

 

There, I said it.

 

Carl

[charles b]

Thanks for all the replies- very helpful. Does anybody know how the the acoustic piano sounds compare? I'm also a little confused about the action- I've heard that the Casio is a heavier action than the Roland. That seems like it would make it more like an acoustic than a Roland- what's the story with the action?

 

Thanks again guys!

[marino]

OK.

I know the FP3 quite well, because we have a bunch of those at school.

I definitely prefer the Casio PX-310. I find the action on the Casio quite smooth, while on the Roland, I feel like I'm impacting on cement every time I play a chord. I also prefer the piano and EP sounds on the Casio.