Good Portable Digital Piano

[Teasing the Korean]

My current keyboard (Alesis QS8) is more than 10 years old now and I'm thinking about an upgrade.

Any consensus regarding a good, portable digital piano for regular gigging that has both a realistic action and good built-in piano samples? At this point I'm not really interested in other features or samples - just something that I can lug around that sounds and feels reasonably like a real piano. Thanks!

[Teasing the Korean]

No one has any experience with these??? I'm thinking of a Yamaha or Roland...

[Jim Alfredson]

Casio Privia PX-330.

I'm not joking.

I'm endorsed by Casio. I originally was seeking a Yamaha endorsement (I still am... I am a huge Yamaha fanboy) but Casio caught wind and came after me. I was very skeptical but the artist rep basically gave me a PX-330 to try without any strings attached. That's how confident he was that I'd like it.

And I do. Great piano sound, great feeling weighted action and it's only 25lbs. I'm using it on the road right now with Janiva Magness and it's a lifesaver. Today we did a TV appearance in Memphis, just she and I, and I used the Privia and an amp. It sounded great, I was even able to do a simple split with a bass sound in the left hand for one tune. Worked fantastic. So far it's held up to the road just fine, even surviving me accidentally spilling a cup of water into it at the last bar gig.

Go play one if you can. I think they retail for around $600. They are great boards.

[Teasing the Korean]

Thanks Jim. That's what I got. A/Bed it with a $999 Yamaha - I thought the Privia had better sound and action, overall.

BTW, the hardest part of the decision was getting past the name "Casio."

Edited June 7, 2010 by Teasing the Korean