Various people have expounded already, but there's still some missing information about electronic keyboard instruments. To substitute as a piano, something electronic needs the following: 1) velocity-sensitive keys 2) weighted keys 3) at least 6 octaves 4) a decent sound. You will *not* get all of that much cheaper than an upright piano.
There aren't so many keyboards around nowadays that don't have velocity-sensitive keys, so that's not hard to find. Weighted keys and 6 octaves or more is harder to find: your options tend to reduce to an Electric Piano (such as a Yamaha Clavinova) or a large professional synthesizor (such as a Roland A-50). Fortunately, both directions tend to solve #4, as well: a decent sound. But the price is up there. For an electronic solution, you gain more voices, portability, headphone availability, MIDI, sequencing, ...
If you want to look for a second-hand electronic solution, I suggest you let yourself be fussy about it's sound. Really! 15 years ago, I saw lots of cheap 'electronic pianos' that sounded awful. Even now, there are still mediocre piano vioces, but there were really good ones, too. And the good voices will always sell a more versatile instrument.
|
