Looking for solution in $1,000 to $1,500 range

[ticohans]

Hello all, I am a clasically trained pianist (have played since I was four) and am currently setting up a small home studio. I'm looking for some sort of piano solution. Basic priorities are as follows: I'm looking for the best piano action and sound I can find in this range (again, $1,000 - $1,500). The second most important thing to me are strings: I need good solo and ensemble patches, ranging all the way from upright to violin. Thirdly, I need good organ sounds, especially Hammond- and Wurly-type. I will also definitely need MIDI connectivity. I have no preference between a midi controller w/rack module, or general synth. Beyond that, some fun, spacey, modern dance sounds would be great. I don't need super hi-tech sequencer abilities, and sampling isn't my highest priority either. Obviously, those are welcome additions, but not neccessary; I'd rather spend my hard-earned cash on the priorities I listed.

Help?

 

[fierywater]

Though I haven't had the opportunity to try it, the Kurzweil PC1XL looks extremely good in the price range you specified. Kurzweil has great piano sounds and key actions on their digital pianos, the first of which I have witnessed many times first-hand.
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--KRZPC1XL

Another, more inexpensive choice could be the SP88X.
http://www.zzounds.com/a--2676837/item--KRZSP88X

I have to say, however, that you definitely should find somewhere you can try these out. Piano action quality is largely subjective, and what suits me may be a nightmare for you or vice-versa. I hope this helped.

 

[tuggy]

a Yamaha P-250 is what you're looking for. You can find it around 2000$ on online shops.
You'll pay just "a little" more than you expected, but i'm sure you'll be statisfied.

 

[ticohans]

Thanks for the reccomendations.

I have heard that the P 250 has a pretty serious action flaw: in order for a note to play, the keys must be COMPLETELY depressed. This is not at ALL how a real piano works, and would be a pretty big knock against the P 250, at least IMO, if it were true. Tuggy, do you have the P 250? If not, can anyone else comment?