May I offer a few observations: I don't think anyone would seriously suggest that a digital piano is a replacement for a top quality grand piano-myself included. However let me add a dose of reality here...realizing that this group may not be the most unbiased to accept it - as livelihoods depend on the acoustic piano. About 2 years ago NAMM reported that the for the first time ever, sales of digital pianos outpaced the sales of vertical pianos in the US (not including grands). The low end spinet piano sales have for the most part been replaced by digital pianos. People that 20 years ago would have bought an Aeolian or Kimball spinet are now buying a digital. I do feel that in many cases a new digital piano is a better choice than an older low end spinet. Take some time to try out several brands of digital pianos. One of the most frustrating thing I run into is people who offer their opinion on digitals vs. acoustics that haven't even tried one-or the one they're basing their opinion on is a 15 year old no name digital. If you're going to give an opinion to someone, then take the time first to try out several brands so you have a basis. Or...at least admit that you have some personal opinions but really haven't tried any out. Digital pianos are getting better. No they're not being used on the concert stage-but then again most people don't have 9' concert grands in their home either-or even a 5' grand. They are used on major recordings, in theatres on Broadway alongside a real orchestra. A friend of mine who has a recording studio I think put it most succinctly. He has a 6' Yamaha grand and a Yamaha P-150 digital piano also purchased from me. He is an excellent pianist and was interviewed in Keyboard magazine a few years ago. For recording use he uses the digital. It records better than a mic'ed grand does (which is also why they are used by touring groups, on Broadway, etc.). He prefers the grand for more intricate demanding music-although he admits that for 80% of his playing the digital is fine. His wife likes playing the grand better and the grand is in their living room. The ensemble type of digital pianos offer something that a regular piano doesn't-in some models such as the Technics SX-PR703 & 903 over 1000 sounds, 16 tracks of recording, etc. So they're going beyond what a regular piano does. In many cases a digital piano is augmenting an existing acoustic piano. My friend with the recording studio, my daughters piano teacher, our church and many others have a digital piano along with a grand piano. Does the increasingly better tone and action of digital pianos spell the doom for the acoustic piano? I don't think so and I certainly don't hope so. I haven't seen a digital piano in a traditional piano cabinet selling for less than a comparable acoustic piano. They are however changing the face of what is available, allowing access to better price/performance and making available sounds and recording capabilities that weren't available for pianists 30 years ago. The acoustic piano will continue to be the main instrument for piano players and the need for capable piano technicians to service them will continue. -- Glenn Grafton Grafton Piano & Organ Co. 1081 County Line Rd. Souderton PA 18964 http://www.graftonpiano.com/ glenn@graftonpiano.com 800-272-5980 The box said "Requires Windows 95, or better." So I bought a Macintosh.
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