"It's a $2000 budget. I can't force myself to go Casio."

Very sad comment.

Casio's major problem for years has been the unwarranted negative connotations associated with the brand. I have had a number of their products over the years and they have always been very good.

The PX200 is easily the best portable piano I have played at anything like that price; the same day I played the Korg budget piano (which was even cheaper but I thought the action and sound were terrible) and the Yamaha and Roland models in the same price bracket; which were good but to my fingers and ears not as good as the Casio. To get the same quality of action and sound in the Roland / Yamaha / Korg camp I would be spending at least 50% more here in the UK.

Ultimately of course it's your choice and your money!

John (Mac), thanks for those heart-felt words. I suppose you are right; the Casio's I've played have been somewhat impressive. Though I can't put my finger on it, there's something about them that seems different and unattractive to me. ??? I can identify with the underdog instrument maybe being better than the top 3. I've come upon Johannus digital church organs and would put them against any Rogers or Allen at twice the price.

Casio have not done themselves any favours in the keyboard market, possibly because they are not in the keyboard business as a prime business area.

For those with long memories, the CZ1 synth and VL10(?) sampler were seriously good, but they just stopped there. A few years later they brought out a budget sequencer and drum machine which were very good at the time, and then stopped again.

This conversation over Casio and their shortcomings has been around here for years. The funny thing is that 5 years ago I wouldn't have stocked any Casio products and since the WK3000 came out and then the Privia line of digital pianos, they have become big sellers at my store. My customers recognize a good value and good products and their reliability have been as good as any brand I sell.


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George Kaye
Kaye's Music Scene
Reseda, California
818-881-5566
www.kayesmusicscene.com