Buying a Musical Keyboard - Recommendations?

We were in the same boat 18 months ago. We ended up buying a full size Casio keyboard from Best Buy for $200. I actually looked on Craigslist before we bought, but people were selling that same exact keyboard for $175. I figured I'd buy new for an extra $25. It has been PERFECT. I wouldn't have felt awful if she had quit after a little bit. All of a sudden she has gotten very into her piano lessons, and she just got to a page in her book where she needs to use the damper(?) which the keyboard doesn't have. I think it might be time to get an actual piano. But we've had 18 months for her to figure out if she likes it or not. She almost quit this Fall, but it going strong now! Good luck.

So many people are giving away pianos for FREE. They cost around $200-$300 to move though.

I agree, he should take some lessons before getting one. If he decides he wants to continue, listen to Mrslava, get an actual piano (upright piano).

My kids have been taking piano lessons and they decided to stay with it. Their piano Teacher (my friend) got a call from her tuner that her client is giving away their upright piano (divorce situation). So now my kids don't have to practice on a cheap keyboard anymore, which doesn't compare to a real piano. Perhaps you can call a local piano tuner or look on craigslist or bookoo.

Check out the Musician's Friend website. My husband and I are both professional musicians, and have bought our instruments from them for over a decade. They have the absolute best prices on the market, and you can also often find close outs, refurbs, etc, that will be much cheaper than ANYTHING you can get in a music store.

I wouldn't suggest getting a keyboard that you can buy in a toy department, or even in Target's small musical instrument section, for example...it's really not the same. A good keyboard will have fully weighted keys. I recommend this feature, and it needs to have at LEAST five octaves of keys.

Preferable is an actual piano or a full sized electronic keyboard with fully weighted keys, which would also require an amp. I realize that's not ideal when he doesn't know if he'll actually follow through, but maybe you could rent one, or find one at a garage sale/auction? You could also advertise that you are looking to take a free piano...I see people giving pianos away all the time, because they are difficult and expensive to move. If you have a van and a dolly and a couple of strong men, you can do it yourself. I have, on crazy cleaning streaks, moved my piano alone.

I also agree with S H that he should probably take a few lessons first to see if he even likes it. I've been playing the piano for about 28 years, and I love it...but not all people do.

I GOT ONE FROM TARGET FOR 65 BUCKS THAT CAME WITH A STAND. (caps lock) The teacher pretty much said any keyboard would do in the begining her's has 65 (ish?)keys and isnt weighted like her one in lessons.

I bought the Casio for my daughter as well. Sounds like the same one Katie mentioned. I ordered it online though. You can buy a sustain pedal for it later, if he sticks with it for more than a few months. We did. They are like $15.

The keys are fully weighted, and are sensitive to pressure as well (the harder you hit the key, the louder the note plays). There is a term for it, but I forget what it is.
Anyway, it was around $200 and has been worth the money. No issues wit it whatsoever. She has been playing for over 3 years. No longer taking lessons right now, due to her (and our) crazy schedule, but she still plays. She also plays the organ at church.

Maybe rent one to see, first???
He is only "considering" it.
I wouldn't buy one, unless he knew for sure.

My parents, when we were kids, bought, a piano.
And we then took lessons. We didn't know if we liked it.
But so, I HATED HATED HATED it!
I took piano for TWO years! Then my parents finally let me quit.
I just do not like piano.
But I like other instruments and I learned that.

But sure, buying a "cheap" keyboard, maybe from like Costco, is fine.
But will he even do/use that????

How old is your son?
My kids are 6 and 10, and they take piano.
They wanted to.
And well, we have our family piano. YES, the one that I had when I was a child. It is a baby grand!
But my kids, WANTED to take piano, and they like it. So they take lessons.

ETA: Oh SORRY, he is your Adult, son!
I was careless in reading this at first.
LOL
Tell him, to take a few lessons first, to find out if he likes it. THEN buy one or not.
Take a few lessons on a trial basis.