Maybe the Thomann pianos are not that bad... but they are still entry level. If you stick to piano playing you need to switch sooner or later (just like with the Yamaha P-45) if you want to get really good, But unlike the Yamaha P-45, the Thomann piano has no resale value... But if you just want to have fun, they are maybe allright.

 

I would never again decide for any model without playing it. The keyboard response can be quite a personal thing, for example the Kawai MP11se, highly regarded by some piano players, would be a no-go for me, the touch response feels so muddy I just can't stand it. Any piano keybed from Yamaha, Casio, Roland would be better but again, that's my personal preference.

 

There was a Bechtstein grand in an auditorium at my university that I would bribe the janitor to unlock for me (a joint per session) that was very horrible to play with incredibly stiff keys that would tire me out after no more than 20 minutes, but it sounded very cool in that big empty room.

 

Incredible how we shared the same experience (not bribing!), I noticed too that was pretty stiff, but most of all it didn't have the required dynamics to play pp or ppp, it was not very sensitive.
I asked a pianist friend of mine, he said that it could have been normal, as in big halls (I was in a small room, just a little bigger than the grand) that kind of dynamics in many cases is not required (and not heard in anyway).

 

these Fame e pianos are a great value and. they have a few models. in your price range

https://www.musicstore.de/de_DE/EUR/Fame-DP-4000-PE-Digitalpiano/art-EPI0000906-000V000153659

 

It's actually the opposite - if you want to practice clean technique, use unweighted keyboard. If someone learns on weighted keyboard and then has to perform on a synth/midi controller and his technique is not good, he will trigger unintentionally other notes most of the time.

 

These are by Medeli (Chinese company), branded as Thomann. Medeli also produce some Kurzweil and Yamaha hardware.

 

I am reading now one book on pianistic techniques, based on Chopin's letters and teachings. He actually liked light touch keyboards, because: it's impossible to obtain subtle nuances with movements of the wrist, forearm and each individual finger on a heavy piano (but recommended also practicing on a heavy piano for general finger strength), which is very interesting, modern expensive grand pianos (Steinway etc) are not light.

 

Casio CDP-S100 (Usb to host) Great keys for budget price, lightweight and can run on batteries.
If more connections are important go for :
Casio CDP-S1000

 

If you study just music in general anything is good. But If you go classic and want to play on a piano you better train your fingers with heavy keys. I play also synths and I don't feel ugly about it, it actually seems to fly compared to piano.
Only, the width of the keys is smaller and sometimes I trigger in between black keys, and beside that I'm not that skilled musician.

Chopin did not have the grands as we are used today, if I'm not wrong he had a Pleyel and a Erard.
Keys were (much) lighter than a Steinway D-274 (that btw came about 30 years after his death), and Chopin himself preferred so.
"Erard when I don't feel in charge of the keyboard and Pleyel when I'm relaxed and I can transfer my feeling directly to the hammers."
Said that, I think that even Chopin himself could have appreciated the full sound of a modern grand, with their heavy keyboards.
Another thing to add for (real) grand, is the hinge lever, longer than in a portable keyboard, it feels almost like keys are pushing down horizontally.

 

Cheers mates for your opinions. I have taken an advantage and learnt a lot. Roland FP30 was chosen and bought. It cost £550 or so at Millers if I am not mistaken. Regards

 

Enjoy at last!