I was looking at electric pianos a few years ago (and decided to get my old hammer & string fixed instead.) What I found was that there are three different kinds of piano-like things. First there is the electronic keyboard which is portable. I associate it with loud music with lots of effects, so I think I am prejudiced against it.

Then there is the electronic piano itself which has a piano-like body and attempts to have a piano feel. This is probably what I would go for if I were to get one. Mostly for the feel and price.

Finally there is the grand piano with strings and hammers, but with a pickup and amp in place of the soundboard. This one has the feel of a real piano, but it is expensive and it has to be tuned. It is a lot lighter than a traditional piano.

There is also the possibility of a used hammer-string. You have to know what you are doing to buy one. I had a friend who got one. The seller (private) had sprayed all the pivots in the action with a silicon spray and the thing worked smooth as silk. However, the silicon wore off soon and the action was too sticky for serious playing, There is also the problem of the strings having been below pitch for a long time. They can break when they are brought up, and piano strings ain't cheap!

I have seen decent new hammer-string pianos here for 4,000 Australian dollars which is only about 2,000 US dollars. They sound good and feel good. I don't know how durable they are.

Murray