Portable 88-key, weighted keys, relatively cheap...anyone know of anything?

[elenore19]

I'm looking for a cheaper (under $400 would be sweet) keyboard. Only needs a piano sound, doesn't need tons of different voices. The piano sound should be decent, but doesn't need to be amazing.
Needs weighted keys, and has to be pretty portable.
Right now i have a Yamaha S08 and that thing is a beast to bring to shows and it sure is a pain in the ass. I currently don't use midi, and haven't really ever used midi. It might change, but as of right now, the keyboard does not need any midi capabilities.


Thanks guys. (and gals?)


Elliot

EDIT:
So what about the m-audio pro-keys. Does anyone know how the keys feel compared to a real piano? Or does it feel way too much like all other electric non-weighted keys?

 

[avieth]

As far as I can tell, M-Audio prokeys are semi-weighted. This means the keys offer some resistance, and feel more authentic than the standard synth-style platform key, but semi-weighted do not feel like real piano keys.

Look for Yamaha Portable Grand series keyboard, with an action described like this:

weighted graded hammer-action keyboard with authentic grand piano-like touch

I don't think you will find a new electric piano with an authentic action for under $400. My Yamaha DGX-620 cost me $1000 new. I bought it for the amazing action, not the 450 useless voices, and it was worth it.

You should go and shop around at retail music stores so you can actually try the action out for yourself. Maybe you can find a used or refurbished model for $400.

 

[elenore19]

As far as I can tell, M-Audio prokeys are semi-weighted. This means the keys offer some resistance, and feel more authentic than the standard synth-style platform key, but semi-weighted do not feel like real piano keys.

Look for Yamaha Portable Grand series keyboard, with an action described like this:



I don't think you will find a new electric piano with an authentic action for under $400. My Yamaha DGX-620 cost me $1000 new. I bought it for the amazing action, not the 450 useless voices, and it was worth it.

You should go and shop around at retail music stores so you can actually try the action out for yourself. Maybe you can find a used or refurbished model for $400.

Alright, well weight is a big issue for me. I'm sick of carrying around my 50 pound yamaha.

Do you know anything of the Casio PX-320. Looks pretty good. It says it has "88 weighted, scaled hammer-action keys." So that means pretty well weighted, right? It only weighs 26.4 lbs. So that's a bonus as well.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Casio-PX320-88Key-Digital-Keyboard?sku=703190

 

[avieth]

It's unclear what 'scaled hammer-action' means. Casio says it features "88 touch-dynamic weighted keys are based on the concert piano keyboard and make for an authentic playing feel," but it would be wise to try it first, if you can find a store that carries it.

That model looks pretty cool though. It allows for a sostenuto pedal