I'm thinking of buying my 13yr old son a Yamaha PSR E413 or 423 as he is already learning piano (grade three - we already have a very nice baby grand so the conventional instrument is taken care of) and is interested in playing with his mates in a rock band. I was very impressed the 413 but wonder if there's anything else I should consider in a similar price bracket (around £200 GBP)? Is it worth buying something second hand?
usually i'd recommend a workstation for playing in a band, but since it's for a 13-year old your choice seems good. PSR is lightweight so your kid won't start cursing every time he needs to lift up his keyboard and carry it out to a gig or a rehearsal. PSR e413 and e423 are basically the same keyboard where the e423 is the newer model. I guess you can't even buy the e413 any more unless they still have it left in stock. And if you are able to choose between the two models - go for the newer one - they cost the same Also note one more thing - The PSR series is a series of arranger keyboards - meaning they have styles that can accompany you while playing. Therefore - all arranger keyboards have very limited sound editing capabilities. You will be able to add and edit some effects like reverb and some filters but that's about it. Also, the PSR series allow layering of only 2 sounds at once and at a fixed split point, while workstations allow layering of 4, 8 or even up to 16 sounds at once across all the keyboard at any split point and at different velocity levels. But like I said - I don't think a 13year-old would like to have a massive-complex workstation in front of him at this early stage of playing. Once he gets to love it - then be prepared to cash out A LOT of money for more and more and more keyboards hehe... It's a disease!
Thanks that's a really helpful response. It was more or less what I was thinking. Personally, I always like exotic and interactive equipment (I'm a guitarist) but I agree that at this stage a simpler device is appropriate.
