Hi, I’m Greg—52 years old, with a jazz piano degree. I’ve spent most of my adult life gigging. For ten memorable years, I performed in the high-energy world of dueling pianos, initially drawn by the excitement and financial perks. However, my naturally quiet and shy personality eventually led me to seek a more sustainable, authentic musical experience. Today, I enjoy calmer, more personally fulfilling gigs with my duo band, Bell & Field.
If you’re a gigging musician struggling to find the perfect balance between sound, portability, and playability, I’ve been there—and here’s what I’ve learned.
Finding the Right Gear: A Crucial Balance
Choosing gear has always been crucial for me. Balancing sound quality, portability, and playability became my obsession.
Initially, I thought I needed two keyboards:
- One to stay permanently set up at home.
- Another dedicated exclusively to gigging, reducing the stress of constant transport.
However, after extensive trial and error, I ultimately realized I needed just one keyboard that could excel in both areas. Here’s my journey through various setups:
Roland FP-90X: My Home Studio Powerhouse
I initially chose the Roland FP-90X for its advanced “Pure Acoustic Modeling,” promising superior realism over sampled sounds. Unfortunately, while the action was unparalleled, I wasn’t convinced by the modeled tone.
- ✅ Exceptional key action, unmatched by any other keyboard I’ve played.
- ✅ Powerful internal speakers (60 watts) that provide rich, full sound.
- ✅ Intuitive sliders make live adjustments effortless.
- ✅ Gorgeous and easy controls.
- ⚠️ At 52 lbs, transporting this keyboard became cumbersome—especially up and down stairs.
- ⚠️ Slight “toy piano” undertone remained despite extensive EQ tweaking.
Due to its weight, price tag ($2,000), and tonal limitations, the FP-90X might have stayed safely in my home studio, had I not found a better alternative. I seriously considered the Yamaha P-525 to be that replacement, but it too, was heavy and bulky for me to carry up and down the stairs all the time. If I were to have two keyboards, I knew that one would stay in the house and the other in the car. While that was initially appealing, the summer heat and winter cold would put unnecessary stress on the electronics.
Kawai ES120: A Temporary Gigging Companion
During my search, the Kawai ES120 briefly became my gigging keyboard due to its practicality and portability:
- ✅ Lightweight and extremely easy to transport.
- ✅ Practical keyboard action for its weight class.
- ✅ Internal speakers adequate for monitoring and quiet practice.
- ✅ Bluetooth connectivity for streaming pre-show playlists—a great bonus!
- ⚠️ Included sustain pedal is flimsy—I recommend upgrading to Kawai’s sturdier F-10H ($69).
However, after purchasing the ES120, I still wasn’t fully satisfied. The portability was great, but the sound didn’t fulfill my needs on stage. Or to be perfectly blunt, the sound had the lowest quality compared with all the models I mention in this post. That is not to say it was poor. It may have even out-performed a Yamaha P-255 (it’s a tight race), but I had my sights on something more realistic to my tastes and experiences.
Yamaha MX88 & Casio Privia PX-560M: Valuable Lessons Learned
Previous keyboards taught me crucial lessons about my priorities:
- Yamaha MX88: Phenomenal sampled sounds with realistic piano tones but lacked internal speakers, had mediocre action, and was just slightly too bulky (30.6 lbs). Great keyboard!
- Casio Privia PX-560M: Great portability and decent action but eventually some keys were wearing out and it is now discontinued. I loved this as a gigging companion. Could I do even better?
Enter The Yamaha CK88: My Ultimate Gigging Solution
After all these trials, I found my perfect match—the Yamaha CK88. It delivers exactly what I need:
- ✅ Phenomenal piano, electric piano, and organ sounds—exactly the tonal quality I sought.
- ✅ Good, responsive key action—comfortable enough for extensive gigging.
- ✅ Highly portable and practical for gigging. Heavier than the Casio Privia and Kawai, but lighter than the other mentioned models.
- ✅ Internal speakers, though modest, are sufficient for home practice without extra setup. Sounds incredible through external speakers!
- ✅ A significant cost-saving solution compared to maintaining two keyboards.
- ✅ It even has the practical Bluetooth technology that I enjoy for streaming music pre-show or during a short break.
Yes, the internal speakers aren’t as robust as the FP-90X, but that’s a small compromise easily solved by external amplification during gigs. Play this through external speakers and you’ll soon understand why this keyboard is a winner!
A Great Experience At The Guitar Center In Davenport
On top of finally finding an amazing keyboard, I had a fantastic experience purchasing the CK88 at Guitar Center in Davenport. I often feel skeptical about Guitar Center, as previous experiences weren’t always positive. However, Devon changed my perspective completely. Although he’s not a keyboard player, he’s an experienced musician with attention to detail. He authentically understood my needs, genuinely supported my decision, and provided an excellent buying experience. I appreciated our conversation about musical backgrounds, and it was a true pleasure to meet him. Devon is my go-to person now—he’s the real deal! Even Tom had a similarly positive interaction with Devon, solidifying my trust. Be sure to ask for Devon if visiting the Guitar Center in Davenport. He is the sales manager.
Returning gear isn’t fun, but sometimes it’s necessary—especially when stores don’t have your desired product on hand to try out in advance. Thankfully, this experience was great, and I’m thrilled to have settled confidently on the Yamaha CK88.
My Gigging Essentials: Piano Shells & Professional Setup
My gear doesn’t end with my keyboard. To elevate my stage presentation, I use a piano shell from Keyhole and at home I keep a beautifully designed prop-top from Presto Piano—a sister company to Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos, where I also serve as CTO. Speaking of which—I built the websites for Felix and Fingers, Presto Piano (check those shells out!), and Bell & Field (where you’re reading this post!). Hope you like my work! 😊
My current lighting setup includes:
- Chauvet Bluetooth Products: 4 Chauvet uplights and 4 Chauvet 4-bars, controlled through the BT Air app.
- Carefully crafted lighting scenes that complement our music with soft, expressive visuals.
- A black backdrop curtain to enhance stage aesthetics.
We take pride in our professional setup—no corners cut—and it’s a genuine pleasure performing in our thoughtfully prepared mobile “office” every week.
My Dream Keyboard: Could It Exist?
My ideal keyboard would feature:
- Roland FP-90X’s unmatched action
- Yamaha MX88’s authentic piano realism
- Casio Privia PX-560M’s lightweight portability
Come to think of it, I am pretty darn close with the Yamaha CK88! I’m looking forward to getting to know this keyboard even more.
Final Thoughts for Fellow Musicians
Choosing the right gear is always a balancing act. Prioritize what makes your performances enjoyable and practical:
- Never underestimate portability.
- Don’t compromise too much on sound realism.
- Always value the feel of your keyboard action.
Stay true to what matters most to you, and don’t be afraid to try, return, and refine until you get it right!
I’ll update this post soon once Tom shares his own experiences with his recent guitar gear adventures.
I’d love to hear from you!
What’s your current gigging setup? Any favorite gear recommendations or surprising discoveries? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
