Electric piano

neutron

I'm thinking about buying a V388 digital piano by Gear4Music and would welcome advice from an owner or expert.

taliesin

Gear4Music is a well-established music technology company with a strong presence in the education sector, related to Red Submarine, a brand associated with computers for music applications. If you are going to buy an electronic piano sight unseen, they are probably a decent company to do business with.

The V338 appears to originate from a company called Viennice Music http://viennice-music.com/product/v-388/ based in Hong Kong. The limited information on the website and their minimal Twitter feed suggest that they are a recent startup. The V338 model number only appears in web searches under Gear4Music's brand, and I was able to find advertisements for Viennice instruments from outside the UK only from Turkey. The Turkish distributor and G4M could well be their first market placements. Viennice have placed a demo of a different model on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79P5ctZPImY. I couldn't find any for sale second-hand.

All that suggests these are new models, if not from a new manufacturer, being produced as a departure by one of the Chinese firms that makes parts and instruments for one of the big brands in order to establish its own foothold in the market. Or Viennice could be a company setting itself up as a marketing channel between one or more of those producers and Western markets. I suspect you may struggle to find objective reviews or similar information about them.

neutron

taliesin wrote: »

Gear4Music is a well-established music technology company with a strong presence in the education sector, related to Red Submarine, a brand associated with computers for music applications. If you are going to buy an electronic piano sight unseen, they are probably a decent company to do business with.

The V338 appears to originate from a company called Viennice Music http://viennice-music.com/product/v-388/ based in Hong Kong. The limited information on the website and their minimal Twitter feed suggest that they are a recent startup. The V338 model number only appears in web searches under Gear4Music's brand, and I was able to find advertisements for Viennice instruments from outside the UK only from Turkey. The Turkish distributor and G4M could well be their first market placements. Viennice have placed a demo of a different model on Youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79P5ctZPImY. I couldn't find any for sale second-hand.

All that suggests these are new models, if not from a new manufacturer, being produced as a departure by one of the Chinese firms that makes parts and instruments for one of the big brands in order to establish its own foothold in the market. Or Viennice could be a company setting itself up as a marketing channel between one or more of those producers and Western markets. I suspect you may struggle to find objective reviews or similar information about them.

Many thanks for your help and advice. I've done a bit more research and think it's the same as the Classic Cantabile DP-400 here http://shop.kirstein.de/shop/default.aspx?TY=item&ST=1&IT=7205&CT=157 and that appears to be made by Medeli Electronics Co. There maybe a relationship between Viennice amd Medeli. G4M have offered a demo in their showroom but that's 160 miles away and before visiting them I'm hoping to hear from someone who has purchased. Thanks again for your time and trouble, it's greatly appreciated.

taliesin

I don't think they are the same. I see that G4M sells Medeli's DP10 model, so they obviously deal with them. But the control panel and specification list on the DP-400 differ considerably from those of the V-388. It's entirely possible that the actual keyboard mechanisms are sourced from the same factory, even if they are not identical, as the cost of tooling up for mechanical systems is far greater than that of designing and building electronic parts - worldwide, there are very few keyboard manufacturers.

I suspect you're going to have to bite the bullet and go to their showroom. Alternatively, you could add the cost of the trip to the price of G4M's line and see whether a local music shop can sell you something that meets your need and that you can actually see before you buy.

neutron

taliesin wrote: »

I don't think they are the same. I see that G4M sells Medeli's DP10 model, so they obviously deal with them. But the control panel and specification list on the DP-400 differ considerably from those of the V-388. It's entirely possible that the actual keyboard mechanisms are sourced from the same factory, even if they are not identical, as the cost of tooling up for mechanical systems is far greater than that of designing and building electronic parts - worldwide, there are very few keyboard manufacturers.

I suspect you're going to have to bite the bullet and go to their showroom. Alternatively, you could add the cost of the trip to the price of G4M's line and see whether a local music shop can sell you something that meets your need and that you can actually see before you buy.

Looks like you're right, they are quite different, your comment about keyboard mechanisms is interesting. The DP-400 seems to good to be true for the price and I suspect probably is, I guess I will "bite the bullet" in the New Year and pay them a visit. The dream machine for me would be the Yamaha Clavinova CVP503 but at £3,000 plus that's what it will have to remain - a dream. Thanks again for your assistance.

hethmar

Oh, Ive only just found this music board Im a complete beginner who has always wanted to play a piano and now Im retired its now or never.

Ive spent last few weeks dithering over a starter digital piano and Ive chosen the KORG SP170S from Umbrella Music. Ive looked at a few low end pianos in local shops but I wanted one that seemed more like an acoustic piano, I am probably on my own here but I dont like all the whistles and bells that you get with most digitals. It wasnt down to price as they are all about equal that way.

Im going to do some online piano lessons before I book one to one locally. Fingers crossed I do ok.

taliesin

Saw your post on the other board! Welcome here.

That looks like a good choice at the price point. The big thing experienced players look for in digital pianos is how good the action feels. It's important to get good articulation. The ones that feel like a good grand are seriously expensive - the Roland V-Piano (£4000 or so) is the best I've tried, by a short head from the older, similarly expensive Kawai. The new Korg mid-price keyboard as, I think, in that model is remarkable good at the price point.

Let us know how you get on!

hethmar

Bless you - Id downloaded that book for that information from UK Pianos and still tormented myself so I then contacted them. They are the ones who advised me to get this Korg out of those in the middle range - which surprised me as Id assumed they would say the Kawai or Yamaha. The Korg seems much more like a real piano to me - thats how I feel anyway (They are partners with Umbrella Music). Apparently they are also sending me Hejrans book for beginners? Is that the best one please for total thickos?

Course, it was meant to arrive today in a morning 1 hour time slot. 11.30 a.m. one parcel of 3 arrives 1.35 p.m. 1 parcel of 3 arrives and when I ring up the courier they tell me the third parcel (and these were all collected together from the same piano shop ) has gone to the wrong depot down in Kent. Couldnt you spit..................