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Yamaha DGX-500AD 88-Note Touch-Sensitive Portable Electronic Keyboard with AC Adapter

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Brand: Yamaha
Category: Musical Instruments

This item is no longer available

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

8 reviews
Sales Rank: 13933

Media: Electronics
Shipping Weight (lbs): 50
Dimensions (in): 58 x 22 x 13

Model: DGX500AD
UPC: 086792278162
EAN: 0086792278162
ASIN: B000068GRC

Features:

•	88, touch-sensitive, piano-style keys
•	Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) input and output
•	Music database with over 200 song styles, 610 instrument sounds
•	Sequencer records up to 5 songs in 6 tracks, 3.5-inch disk drive included
•	Yamaha music tutor with lessons for beginners

Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com Review
The DGX500AD is the top-of-the-line product in Yamaha's new Portable Grand series. This keyboard is very much like the DGX300AD, with almost all functions available on any other Yamaha keyboard, including the Yamaha Educational suite, 619 voices, and a built-in sequencer and built-in floppy drive. The DGX500AD is different from the DGX300AD in that it has 88 piano-size keys (the same number of keys you find on a real piano), and it comes with a sustain pedal and a keyboard stand. Also like the DGX300AD, the DGX500AD is incredibly easy to use despite its massive functionality--and while the DGX500AD is large in size, it weighs just enough to make it readily portable.

Depending on the preference of the user, the DGX500AD may have a few drawbacks. The keys on the DGX500AD are supposed to be "weighted," meaning that the keys will have the feel of real piano keys. However, I found very little, if any, weight at all to these keys. While the piano-size keys are much nicer to play than more inexpensive synthesizer keys, these keys still did not feel like real piano keys. The quality of the speakers was a bit disappointing as well; the speaker quality on the DGX500AD was better than the DGX300AD, but interestingly enough not as good as the DGX200AD. The sound on this keyboard was not very full and had a kind of tinny and weak quality to it.

Overall, the DGX500AD is a good keyboard for the price. If having all 88 keys is not as important to you, I would recommend going for the DGX300AD, with 76 keys, and if you do not need the built-in floppy drive, you may opt for the DGX200AD, also with 76 keys. --Chris Fresolone

Pros:

Easy to use
88 piano-size keys
Maximum functionality, including a built-in sequencer and floppy drive
Includes sustain pedal and keyboard stand (no clearing off desks or tables to make room!)
Easily connects with a computer or other MIDI device
619 voices
Entertaining educational tools
A nice-looking instrument, with wood trim

Cons:

The keys do not have much "weight" to them
Manageable, but rather large
Tinny, weak sound quality from the speakers

Customer Reviews: Read 3 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

For Music Lovers March 18, 2008
P. McCoy (Greenbelt, MD United States)
I purchased this keyboard back in 2003 and still enjoy playing it. I've been attempting to teach myself piano and this electronic keyboard gives me the opportunity to do so, at my own pace, with the software that came with it. One lesson teaches you how to play with your left hand, another lesson teaches you how to play with your right hand, along with additional lessons to help you combine what you learned. You can even choose which one of the songs, in its repertoire, you want to practice with. The songs, programmed within the keyboard, range from Beethoven to Stevie Wonder. For me, it's a fun way to relax after a rough day at work!

1 out of 5 stars

My refurbished Yamaha DGX-500 broke after 2 months March 3, 2006
Kyle
3 out of 5 found this review helpful

Hello all,

I would be wary about buying a Yamaha DGX-500 from a third party seller from Amazon.

I bought my DGX-500 last summer for about $400. It seemed like a good deal b/c comparable models were at least $200 more. There's a reason that Yamaha no longer offers the DGX-500 and the only ones you can find are refurbished. The keyboard worked fine for 2 months, and I was very happy with it. But one day I turned it on but the keys no longer played any notes. I could turn on the keyboard, I could see the display was working, I could hear music whenever I pushed the demo button, but when I try to press a key nothing happens. I believe there's a connection problem between the keys and the actual keyboard.

Amazon was no help after a month, because I bought the keyboard from a third-party vendor, and they do not take responsibility for their third party vendors. I called Yamaha and they tried to help me out, but they were of no help. I could not reset the keyboard because the keys did not work (If you push the highest key while turning on the keyboard, it's suppose to reset the keyboard and give you a message, but I got no message). Yamaha's warranty was not applicable because the vendor was not an authorized Yamaha dealer.

In retrospect, I wish I had bought the keyboard from a local shop. I would have gladly payed an extra $200 not to have to deal with this hassle.

3 out of 5 stars

New Pianist February 12, 2005
Priscilla B. Shuler
2 out of 3 found this review helpful

The DGX-500 (purchased via a company on the internet and not via Amazon) was great for the first few months...( even though it never gave the "grand Piano loudness").. until the right bank of speakers began to exhibit 'fuzzy' sounds with each strike of any key .. no matter what voice is used. I've tried 'everything' I can think of to correct the situation, to no avail. I suppose the only alternative is to purchase external speakers? Would this rectify the problem? Please, if you have information to help, let me know. Presently, I'm heading to Radio Shack to talk to them about this and get their input.

5 out of 5 stars

Great Product October 2, 2003
Stuart Clements (USA)
12 out of 13 found this review helpful

I bought this for my wife. This is most certainly a great product. I do agree however, that the keys are not as weighted as they should be. My wife mentioned that they feel as though they spring back unlike a standard piano.

5 out of 5 stars

Great Instrument!! June 3, 2003
RWH (Richmond, Va)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

A terrific instrument, pound for pound, than any out there for sale. With 88 keys, educational software, many voices, etc. there's nothing better for the money plus you get Yamaha quality.