Jokeyman123 Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Well, somebody is paying attention to Casio's success in this market. I just stumbled upon this on ebooey -Artesia Black PA-88W Music Keyboard. If this isn't a direct copy of the Casio PX-350, without the outstanding fulcrum action keys (this one has spring-weighted) I'll be a monkey's uncle. Right down to the buttons and volume control. So-called 3-layer piano samples. It looks really nice and I'm no lawyer but this can't be right! Could this actually be a Casio in disguise-given a different name but made in the same factory? I suspect it is a cheap Chinese knock-off and I'm not sure the Chinese are taking this a little too far. Maybe Casio better take a look at this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Display Name Posted December 26, 2015 Share Posted December 26, 2015 Actually it's closer to the PX-150, There are quite a few differences, but yes, I can see the overall effect is the same. Pretty much as close as you can get without saying "they copied!". Very curious about the action and the sound of this thing - I do hear it sounds really good with those Deats headphones by Br. Dre. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 http://www.amazon.com/Artesia-PA-88W-Digital-dynamic-semi-weighted/dp/B016V2215CI'll pass, comon, just think when you read this frist line in the Product Description. Weighted Spring Action feel that is heavier than a synth touch but lighter then hammer action. The only thing that's going to "Spring into 'Action' is you on the phone with you'r bank for a full refund. But it does look close to the 150. it just has 'Springs' in it. O.K just kiddin, but i do think they could have worded that a bit better.This is the look- alike in 'Action' . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC2OqFSJbzc Comes with an End cap aswell, in case you lost the one for you'r 'Blue' pen.(as shown in the Video Product Demonstration.) Poor Guy, you just have to feel a bit sorry for the lad you know, missing his Pen pal and all Larry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CairnsFella Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 I'm going to play devil's advocate for a moment here as I had a look at the keyboard in question and the 150. Whilst I do not deny they look very similar indeed (and for all I know it may well be an intentional rip-off) but having said that, there really isnt a great deal of design manoeuvrability if you are looking to produce a sleekish black keyboard with minimal controls and stereo speakers. In fact, aside from the keys - which I think I can justifiably disregard in this context - to me it is only the relative placement of the volume knob, and two of the logo's that are real like for likes. I honestly believe they could have got a lot closer in design without any 'infringement'. Edit:- Well, I am happy to admit to being wrong should the situation require. In this instance though I feel I need to say I am both wrong and right, I am wrong in that, having looked around for a few minutes, I see that other manufacturers do seem to be able to come up with quite a variation in design for this type of keyboard. However, the vast majority (of those that I saw in my few minutes of searching) offered a lot more controls and / or display, which is what primarily made them look different. In addition, I stumbled across the Williams Legato 88. To my mind this is much closer to the 150 than the previously mentioned keyboard. It doesnt have the 'knob' but the button layout closely mirrors the casio, as do the speaker shapes/positioning, and the overall case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chas Posted January 24, 2016 Share Posted January 24, 2016 I do hear it sounds really good with those Deats headphones by Br. Dre. Lost in translation?!!! Or seeing how close they can get to copyright infringement before getting their knuckles rapped! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jokeyman123 Posted January 26, 2016 Author Share Posted January 26, 2016 EEk! I just stumbled upon their piano-action version of this-the P88H for 100 bucks more. And of all places, Walmart. boy things just keep getting worse! Tempted to get one just to compare, but............................... I agree for features there is no comparison and who knows how it is made. As far as the Williams Legato, I had considered as a cheap backup, but.........look at the weight #1. And after reading the reviews it did not look good. I think I'll save up a little and go for the PX560M which looks about the nicest option for me at this point. Hard to tear away from the PX350 though, minus my complaints about the "song recorder" this has been my main axe outside my older much heavier Yamahas and Ensoniq. I really hoped for a little less "consumer" and a little more "pro" with this new line of Casios. Certainly look and sound pretty nice, good replacement for the CTKs only though. These cheap knock-offs show one thing-the keyboard market is very competitive and it is very difficult to stay in business (ask Generalmusic, Ensoniq or even Sequential how that worked) without diversifying into other markets. If Yamaha can't sell you a keyboard, they can sell you a motorcycle. Roland has it's pro printers and other commercial business stuff. Can't blame Casio for aiming at what they think will sell to the largest audience and with all the younger people coming up, not many will be able to afford a new Nordlead, Kurzweil or any other major workstation keyboard. Especially since there is so little work for the local musician, the hobby field must be a major target. Take it from me, banging on doors in clubs to get work is never easy. Unless you live near a major music hub-my brother lives at the NJ shore for this reason-to get work-there is very little live music in many areas. Here in my section of PA, Pike County there are knock-out school music programs promoting live music and Milford has some major music fests as does Hawley and Honesdale surprisingly but unless you go to the casinos (Bethlehem area primarily) live music is very rare. Even major bands still have to tour to pay bills. Just ask Billy Joel and many of the older classic bands. I live near Yasgur's Farm in Bethel Woods, a major venue. Even there, top acts are rare and only seasonal (it's an outdoor arena, beautiful, visit if you can). I'm pretty sure Casio is not a major player with the touring keyboard guys but then there aren't too many of those. My brother (admittedly older guys) just cut 2 CDs and promote online. His producer cut the keyboard parts with a Hammond (!) in his studio. The old guys stick with the old stuff mostly I think, or are the only ones who can afford serious new stuff. The new younger performers will be the ones to look at for Casio, IMO Sorry to get off-topic, too much time.I should be practicing, writing!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlenK Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 Walmart likes to sell the Williams brand. A few years ago they had a Williams model shaped like a baby grand piano (apparently Williams doesn't make it anymore). My wife really liked the look of it, more as a piece of furniture than anything (although to be fair she actually took piano lessons for a short time, which is more than I can claim). I looked up reviews and they were very bad. Here's one: http://azpianonews.blogspot.ca/2010/07/williams-wgb-digital-grand-piano-review.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jokeyman123 Posted January 26, 2016 Author Share Posted January 26, 2016 Yes, he is an excellent reviewer-I've read his reviews for quite awhile-one of the reasons I ended up with the PX350 (and an old PX575 which is pretty d** nice too!) I almost made the mistake of getting one of these 2 years ago until I read the Casio reviews. I hadn't demoed a Casio piano in many years and wasn't thrilled with the sound or action way back when, what a difference between then and now. The coolest thing about all this is that I see the other "majors" now trying to do what Casio has already done (not being a fanboy-just appreciate a decent musical instrument when I hear one)-make a cost-effective llightweight 88-key hammer action piano that sounds like one. There hadn't been such a thing for over 20 years when "portable" piano-action instruments were first being introduced-I know from experience lugging old Ensoniqs, Kurzweils, Fatars around, all of which weighed 50-60 pounds + with 88-keys. Guess it's time to post some of my Casio stuff around the house. Now if I can only find some musicians out here in the woods! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CYBERYOGI =CO=Windler Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 I collect strange Chinese tablehooters, and some where ridiculous wannabe Casios. None of these shanzhai artworks look close enough alike to be confused, but e.g. Medeli apparently released under various trade names a nice Casio Rapman RAP-1 clone as "RAP-2" (CPU is even named "MC-RAP-1"), which has squarewave sound (DSG sound IC) with lofi sample percussion IC and no voice effector (only microphone amp), but the scratch disc and fixed-key rap accompaniment pattern concept is blatantly imitated. Or the Jin Xin Toys JX-20165 case shape looked blatantly like Casio SA-65 although nobody would confuse them either. http://weltenschule.de/TableHooters/JinXin_JX-20165.html Or watch this rhythmless joke of an SA-6 clone: It may even be that Jin Xin bought the used original plastic injection mould after the Casio version went out of production, because making a new mould from scratch costs many 100000€. With the Privia clone I only can say, you get what you pay for. With bad luck it even lacks velocity and may have the single chip CPU of the infamous silicone roll-up travel pianos. But it must be the right of the sovereign customer to decide to pay money for the real thing or buy a knock-off and find out how bad it is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jokeyman123 Posted February 14, 2016 Author Share Posted February 14, 2016 Darn, another blatant attempt at copying by the Chinese. I am getting tired of this. At least they're copying Korg now. And the Korg doesn't even have built-in speakers, bummer. Let me check my new Chinese ipone. Or my Samslung tablet. I was just watching an episode of Top Gear, and apparently this copying is now taking place with cars too. There is a new Alpha Romero (apologies to Ceasar Romero) and something that looks like a BMW but without the same engine, transmission, body and interior. Shameful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CYBERYOGI =CO=Windler Posted January 30, 2020 Share Posted January 30, 2020 (edited) "LIQUID ERYSTAL SHOWER" - WTF!? (fake Casio SA-46) Last week I got on eBay another Casio bootleg shanzhai tablehooter "CANTO HL-70". The thing looks superficially like Casio SA-46 and even the unbranded original box comes in the classic grey-green. But it is a ridiculous item and another nice example what you can expect when a knock-off looks somehow like Casio but isn't. See here for my review: https://www.casiomusicforums.com/index.php?/topic/17531-rip-off-or-licenced-casio-sa-46/&tab=comments#comment-56402 Edited January 30, 2020 by CYBERYOGI =CO=Windler text moved Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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