I've been playing bass and taking lessons for about a year and a half now, and I want to play keyboards as well. I've borrowed one from someone in my family for a while now, and I love it. So I'm wondering:

What's a good (somewhat cheap, under $500, maybe?) keyboard that actually sounds good? I also kind of want one with a setting for drums, just in case.

Should I get lessons? Or are there good enough DVDs out there, and maybe videos online or something?

Thanks guys.

I don't know jack about keyboards, all I can recommend is checking out the "Keyboardist Corner" thread located on the same page.

Happy hunting.

A popular choice right around that price point is the Roland JUNO-D. Casio makes some decent budget workstations (WK-3800) that have acceptable sounds and are a very good choice as well.

In my opinion you don't want to get a "cheap" keyboard that "sounds good". what you really want is to look on ebay or go to craigslist and find a great keyboard for a good price. I bought a Korg Triton Extreme 61 key keyboard back in June for 800 bucks, (it was almost never used and they sell brand new for something like $1500-$2000). I couldn't be happier with it. So i suggest you buy a good Korg keyboard or something along that line, but make sure you see if there is anything local for cheap. Even if you have to wait a few months to find what you want, it will be worth it in the end, you won't end up with a piece of shit that will only last a few years. So take this advice or not, but good luck anyway.

P.S. Stay away from Casio or cheap Yamaha keyboards. I know from experience. Your best bet would be a Korg Triton Classic 61 key, or Korg Triton Extreme 61 key (I strongly recommend this one).

Casio is not nearly as bad as purported, the negative connotation with the name: i.e. "It sounds like a Casio, ew." holds little ground.

Now on the other hand, I did exactly what you did when I was ready to upgrade. I found a sucker on Craigslist who was willing to give away his mint 76-key KORG LE for $700. Thats where I stand now.

Roland Juno D is under $500 brand new, and sounds pretty good.

I recently bought a used korg N5 for 350$ US. Its about 8 years old, but with over 600 fully customizable sounds I couldn't pass it up. They cost about 1 grand brand new back in 2000 and it doesn't sound like a toy.