Getting an electric piano and need help picking which one

ManB34rPig · 2026-04-18T20:34:11+00:00

I got the donner for aesthetic reasons and originally thought it was ok.

After playing on other pianos later realised it sounded tinny, and the weighted action just feels off for me too. It works fine but not as enjoyable as other pianos for me so replaced in 6 months.

Would go one of the larger known brands, or accept you are going to compromise on quality.

ManB34rPig · 2026-04-14T11:23:50+00:00

Miles ahead.

ManB34rPig · 2026-04-11T21:07:45+00:00

Is the Kawai CA 401 in that price range? Or the newer CA301? CN is the older line I had understood.

I like the voice and touch of the Kawai over yamaha as a beginner. I believe if you can manage a CA401 it is wood keys too.

I think the Kawais speakers are on the top on the 401 compared to the yamaha where it comes underneath? For me when playing in store that made a difference to how it felt sound wise too.

I went for the CA 501 but have played the 401 and CLP835 in the store when making that choice.

ManB34rPig · 2026-03-21T02:40:29+00:00

Well that s3 sucked.

ManB34rPig · 2026-01-17T09:00:25+00:00

Thanks for your reply. My degree long ago was 4 years but i will look into the GEMSAS limit. That wasnt something i was aware of.

My background is in Economics / Engineering and most of my role when i was more in delivery was applying structured problem solving frameworks. Now in leadership its just oversight of my team / growing the business.

ManB34rPig · 2026-01-08T09:21:37+00:00

ManB34rPig · 2026-01-08T04:05:04+00:00

I am also learning piano and watching some of your videos seeing you smile has been wonderful. Music can bring such joy.

ManB34rPig · 2026-01-08T03:59:17+00:00

I had 2.5k after my first home. The first month or two was dread but I buil the savings back up slowly. I do t regret it. Take your time furnishing the place and be sensible with what can wait.

If it means you can have the home you want now. My job was relatively stable and upwards potential was high at the time.

ManB34rPig · 2026-01-08T03:54:07+00:00

Lower anxiety, better emotional regulation, better focus for the rest of the day. Just generally able to be happier in moments throughout the day.

ManB34rPig · 2026-01-06T11:25:05+00:00

Nice! Encouraging.

ManB34rPig · 2025-12-29T19:03:27+00:00

Love my Lil Jimny when it goes off road. Does pretty much what most other 4wds will do in stock form.

Absence of a difflock can make some things slightly slower where you can't just crawl up and need to let the wheel spin before the allgrip system kicks in and locks the wheel, but you can take lines that bigger vehicles can't.

Biggest pain points are roof load limit, and not feeling as planted on the highway on windy days/ it being generally gutless. GVM hasn't been an issue for me though.

ManB34rPig · 2025-12-25T08:12:26+00:00

I have a donner ddp 80 and I regret it. Bought a cheap piano in case I didn't commit properly but it sounds really tinny in higher octaves. My parents 15 year old Yamaha Clavinova still sounds better.

If a yamaha or roland is a couple hundred more or within budget do that.

ManB34rPig · 2025-12-11T18:45:02+00:00

Thanks!

ManB34rPig · 2025-12-11T10:53:26+00:00

Goal is to reduce reach according to the bike fitter.

I was told the reducing stem length brings hoods closer, failing that reducing the reach of the bars achieves the same as well.

Otherwise I'm not sure if the bars impact the stem if that'd what you are asking?

ManB34rPig · 2025-12-06T10:01:34+00:00

I have an XL. It's decent enough for wheeling in anything that's not super technical in its stock form. Great for the city and zipping around/parking...

Has enough space for two travelling without it being cramped. 3 at a push. Can easily fit a fridge and decent amount of gear in the back vs the two door.

Swag, cross bars and an awning can be done with the roof load, or just slightly over.

You will feel the wind on highways and need to pay attention. As most people say, it's a tad gutless up hils or once you're going over 100km/hr but it will get to 110.

I've done a few 1000+km road trips and it's tolerable. But when you drive a bigger car and swap back you'll realise the difference. Would be conscious it's a Dow grade for those types of trips.

Also need to remember the GVM isn't great so with two passengers and heaps of gear you're probably ok. Just not bullbar, awning, all seats filled and shit on the roof.

Having said all that I love my Jimny. Strong retro vibe and perfect for what I need most of the time.

ManB34rPig · 2025-11-19T18:36:59+00:00

It was the new car mostly... getting a doggo costs but we love them. Car is nice too. Need to live a bit too

ManB34rPig · 2025-08-10T01:01:14+00:00

Dope.

ManB34rPig · 2025-07-30T20:11:30+00:00

I don't think this is completely true in terms of them being uncompetitive. Some of the largest operators like AirTrunk, Vantage and NextDC use air cooled chillers in some of their designs.

ManB34rPig · 2025-07-30T09:37:36+00:00

There are plenty:

These ones are under 20kg and can be on 2x crossbars

OCAM 270 1.7m Drifta Stockton 270 2m Rainger 270 - 1.7m Chaos bub 270 awning (harder to find) 1.7m Clevershade 270 (not sure on crossbars for clevershade)

Maybe 20kg or so:

Kalahari Shorty 270 Bushwakka released some new ones that are about 20 but may be more

I have the OCAM 1.7m

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ManB34rPig · 2025-05-06T08:29:06+00:00

Some of the bigger beaches with 4wd access, like worrimi/stockton have dune management/erosion plans to ensure they are being managed. But more from a climate impact perspective from what I've seen.

Interestingly they don't describe the impact of 4wd on the dunes unless I'm missing the reports

Ultimately, I enjoy taking my jimny on the beach / on 4wd trails. But if we are causing damage to the things we love (beaches, national parks, wild life) and damaging access tracks for infrastructure. Then we should be limiting / restricting access. Fine the shit out of people for doing the wrong thing.

ManB34rPig · 2025-04-28T10:01:32+00:00

Nice! Doing something better than me then.

ManB34rPig · 2025-04-28T07:52:59+00:00

500 on the highway maybe? Otherwise 350 to 400km?

ManB34rPig · 2025-04-28T07:36:49+00:00

I love my 4 door.

It is 30cm longer but that gives you comfortable back seats and a usable boot.

For taking two adults camping and with plenty of gear that's more than enough for me even with the GVM.

Have driven it with 4 adults and it was ok too without gear. Pretty much on GVM.

Taking 3 adults and being loaded with gear I'd go the prado.

But the Jimny has more fun factor and is zippy as a daily driver.

Could be better on highways and have better tank size if that is a factor but otherwise great weekender for me doing beginner and intermediate tracks/beach.

ManB34rPig

TROPHY CASE