I've been given approx. $2000 to buy a digital piano for my church. I'm drawn to these two items; one is a console the other a stage piano. Either will work. I need a good keyboard feel, at least 64 polyphony, an onboard midi player/sequencer, full 3-pedal effects.

Can anyone provide a side by side comparison of these two or suggest any similar keyboards in that range and feature set?

Neither of these two products has a midi file player built in. The CP33 cannot use 3 pedals. Only 2.
Check out the new Casio PX800.....
128 note polyphony, 3 pedals and stand built in. All wood construction. Sliding key cover. Has a SD card slot to play back standard midi files with GM sound set built in. You can have hundreds of midi files quickly selected for fast playback of up to 16 tracks and with 128 note polyphony, you won't run out of notes when playing piano. It also has USB plus midi in and out and stereo outputs plus 2 headphone jacks.
Price........$899.00!!!!!
Might be everything your church needs! and save some money.


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

[This message has been edited by George Kaye (edited 06-30-2007).]

Casio PX800.....

http://www.rolandus.com/products/productdetails.aspx?ObjectId=666&ParentId=87

check out the videos

[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 07-01-2007).]

What about Kurzweil? Re-220 and Mark 10.

The Roland RD700 looks great, but I forgot I need speakers (or a small amp).

I played the Casio PX200 (portable version of the PX800) and it is very impressive.

I quit selling Kurzweil products a few years ago when it seemed to me like the company was going down hill. Boy, was I right! They were bought out by Hyundai a while ago and I've heard nothing but bad things about reliablity issues and customer service since Young Chang gave up on them about 4 years ago.


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

Here's what my Church bought ...

YPG625 ... http://music.yamaha.com/products/main.html?productId=1209

It's a $2000 budget. I can't force myself to go Casio. Maybe ROLAND ??? HP207

"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