musically challenged

Among my list of requirements as I search for a new digital piano is; the pedals need to be FULL sized. I have always felt that the pedals on my px-800 were too small and spaced too closely together. I have contacted Casio several times about this, and the answer is always the same. There is no difference in size between the Privia line, Celviano line or an acoustic piano. But my feet strongly disagree. Today, at long last, after much too much searching - 8 months worth- I found my answer. Yes, my feet are right, the pedals of the Privia line of pianos IS NOT a regular piano size, in other words, smaller than acoustic piano pedals. I found the answer accidently on a website called Digital Piano Reviews. ( erpiano.wordpress.com ) The review that was posted Feb.1, 2013, comparing the Privia px-850 vs the Celviano ap-450. Now both of these dps are quite similiar and rated very well, but for the difference in pedals. The Celviano pedals are described as : " Gold (Regular Piano Pedal Size)" while the Privia pedals are described as: "Silver (Smaller Than Acoustic Piano Pedals)". Based on this information, I must conclude, since I have not read anything to the contrary, that the new Privia px-860 still has the undersized pedals, which means I will have to search for another dp. The px-860 was my first, and at this point, only choice. Now I need to decide whether I can live/play my px-800 for another couple of years or do I brake the bank and go for a major up-grade with another line/make of piano. Sighhh!

@ Jokeyman 123, OPPS, sorry; I left out one rather important point re the gas price. In Canada gas is sold by the Litre (as is milk, soft drinks, beer, etc.) not by the gallon. So that should have read $1.20 per litre. Gas prices in Quebec are among the highest in North America. That's why I whine at the idea of doing a road trip.

Thanks for your reply. I have read the px-860 manual and it does not have the type of technical information I'm interested in and I have not been able to find that on the net, as well as, Casio corporate reps, at least in Canada, are not able/willing to help. Re going to Costco, the 2 nearest ones do not have any on display to try. And with the price of gas at $1.20 plus, a road trip is out of the question. I know I'm being picky, but time is money, etc. I did find a px-350 in a music shop and spent some time testing it. It was a very underwhelming experience. Based on that experience I would not consider buying a Casio, but as I already to have a Casio dp, I am assuming the poor action, sound quality, and the heavy, loud thudding of the keys (power off testing included) must be an anomaly.(?) How is Casio's tri-senor action difference from that of Yamaha? From pictures shown on the Yamaha site, the location on the senors and how they respond appears almost the same. How long are the keys of the px-860 compared to a Yamaha or Kawai? Where does one go to dig for this type of information? Dealers are not always helpful. As to "weight loss", the reason I asked, is that a loss of something in any type of product usually indicates a reduction of quality which is then masked over by a so-called "improvement". A possible example the "18 (partly new) tones" -Casio's wording-. Exactly what is "partly new"? What is new and what is old? Can't find what that is on any Casio site. I really would like to purchase another Casio dp, but I find Casio is not a consumer friendly company. If I can't physically see, touch, try something I don't buy.

..Have the Privia dp's been put on a diet? My Privia Px-800 weighs in at 41.0 kg and the new px-860 weighs in at 35.5 kg, plus it shrunk in width to 53.8" from 56 9/16". Why? Is the weight loss do to the fact that the speakers are now located under the keyboard housing instead of being in a seperate box that also acted as part of the support structure in the px-800? Why the loss of 3"? Thinner wood for the side supports? What is the difference between "variable piano lid" and "lid simulation"? Reading the description on Casio's web site leaves the impression that the only Real difference is; with "variable piano lid" the lid of the dp is raised while with the other the lid remains closed, and you can achieve the same effects. Correct? Also, why just 18 (partly new) -casio's words, not mine- tones? My px-800 has 162 (with layer & split), not all needed, but nice to have. Is the tri-senor action the same as one would find in a Kawai or Yamaha dp? Finally, the pedals, Casio lists the pedals as "classic pedal unit SIMILAR (caps. mine) to most upright or grand pianos". What is meant by "similar"? Does this mean the spacing between each peadal has increased, less crowded? I and others who have played my px-800 find the pedals much too close together and too low to the floor. Since it impossible to find a Casio dealer in the Montreal area to test drive a px-860 or any px for that matter, which Yamaha or Kawai dp's come closest. I need to try before I buy. My info comes from: Casio-music.com/euro/instruments/digital-pianos/privia/px-860/

Great photos and information, many thanks. Viewing your initial posting I felt your were an experienced techi, which was confirmed in another posting. Now I, unfortunately, am a member of the "lesser beings" club, you know the techincally challenged, wind up with left over parts after trying to repair something, etc, I choke at the thought of taking apart my px-800. Granted the warranty is long gone, but the thought of braking something, lost parts, etc. leaves me terrified. Plus the thought of all that money spent on the still working, but annoyingly leaves me cold. It would be very helpful if Mike Martin or other Casio muckie-mucks could come up with a series of step-by-step videos on how to do common repairs for the various Casio dp's. That would provide some much needed hand holding and maybe fewer tears and curse words shed.

Thank you Joe, I read the thread with great interest. Since my px is long past its warranty, once I get the courage, I'll try to take it apart. Do you know if most, if not all Casio px's are assembled/constructed in a similiar manner?

but not to me. Question: do the Privia X50 series, such as the px-850 or the px-860, etc. have any felt under their keys? Did the px-800 have any felt? That has been suggested to me, as a possible reason my px-800 is "thumping/clacking" so terribly loud is, the felt needs to be replaced. Are they talking about the red felt one sees at the back end of the keys on most dp's? My px-800 has no such felt. Or is there felt padding between the key and its senor? If it is the felt, how much does it cost to replace, and can one do it themselves? This dp is too heavy and large (won't fit into the car) to haul to a Casio repair location.

Hello to all. I am a newbie to this site, but I have followed the various topics on Piano Forums for several years. As an owner of a Casio dp this site is a better choice to possibly giving me some help. I purchased my px-800 in 2010 when I began piano lessons as a true, adult beginner. Now with almost 5 yrs of lessons and still a beginner (almost completed Alfred's book 2 with a several other pieces thrown in), I wonder if the time has come to trade-in my px-800 for an px-860 or a ap-650? Yes, I do like the "furniture look". In general I am satisfied with the 800 and have not experienced any technical problems, but as I'm developing musically I have noticed a couple of annoying, for me at least, issuses. 1. in the mid range notes, clacking of the keys is becoming very pronounced and annoying even whilst using a light touch or playing pp. The lower and upper ranges do have some clacking but it not anywhere as loud. 2. the pedals I find too small/short and too close together. I get the feeling they function just on/off with no half pedalling. Is this correct? 3. the keys, black and white are too smooth and slippery and many a time I have slipped off and landed on to another key. 4. at times it seems as if the tones are "off", almost too loud or "bright" compared to the acoustic Yamaha I use for lessons. The clacking keys and the pedals are the main reasons I am considering a new dp, but I do like the heavier touch of px-800 keys. In my part of Canada I can't seem to find a Casio dealer to try the new dp's. I have spent much time comparing specs, prices, and sizes of a whole host of dp's; the upshot is I am most likely looking at another Casio. Unfortunately the weight of a dp figures heavily into this picture, since the dp has to be moved upstairs/downstairs during the Christmas season. So any suggestions, pro, con or neutral are most appreciated.