In 2015, Casio introduced two digital upright pianos produced in collaboration with the piano manufacturer C. Bechstein. The GP-500 and GP-300 models marked the launch of Casio’s new “Celviano Grand Hybrid” series. The successor to the original top model is now the Casio GP-510, which indicates careful further development of the original model.
Casio’s two digital piano series Privia and Celviano focus exclusively on the budget and low-cost mid-range of the market. The GP-510, on the other hand, crosses the $4,000 mark. You can see it in the hardware: Not a single screw is out of place on the nearly 80-kilogram instrument.
The glossy black finish, the brass feet on the front, the brass Bechstein logo, and above all the upright-piano-looking case give the GP-510 a high degree of elegance. Even the sliding keyboard cover consists of two solid, heavy wooden parts. Due to its slide-type design, the music rest is attached to the top of the piano instead.
Casio created an outstanding keyboard with “Natural Grand Hammer Action,” a graded hammer action keyboard. The GP-510’s grand piano sounds are incredibly expressive and precise. It’s no wonder, as long wooden keys are used.
The hammer action is set up exactly like that of an acoustic piano. Therefore, the hammers also trigger the sound here, but with electronic elements instead. The keyboard is balanced in weight and equipped with three sensors, delivering excellent repeatability. Additionally, the key tops feel just like those of a real piano. Although a let-off mechanism is missing, the playing characteristics are far superior to those of conventional digital piano keyboards.
Compared to its predecessor, the GP-500, Casio has greatly improved the relationship between the grand piano sounds and the keyboard on the GP-510. This refinement enhances the dynamic expression capabilities. Additionally, players can adjust the touch sensitivity of the keys using five dynamic curves.
Casio’s high standards are also evident in the pedals. With the sustain pedal, players can adjust the half-pedal function. Moreover, the pedals have realistic resistance that increases as they are pressed. Thus, the pedals’ mechanical behavior is very similar to that of an acoustic instrument.
Again comparing the GP-510 to its predecessor, the use of longer samples has slightly improved the decay of the three grand piano sounds. This creates a much better feel and fuller sound. Casio also used sample loops in the decay phase, which is sometimes noticeable with individual notes but not an overall flaw.
Casio’s flagship model adheres to a purist digital upright piano concept, limiting the sound equipment to 35 selected sounds. As with the previous model, the focus is on detailed samples of three different grand pianos: the “Berlin Grand” sounds like a Bechstein, the “Hamburg Grand” sounds like a Steinway, and the “Vienna Grand” sounds like a Bösendorfer.
The original instrument’s sound character is clearly audible in all three samples. The sounds were cleanly recorded and balanced across the entire keyboard range, with excellent dynamic characteristics. My favorites are the bright, clear Bechstein sound, a trademark of the GP series, and the beautiful, well-rounded Bösendorfer.
Both excel in classical and jazz music. However, the powerful “Hamburg Grand” also enriches the GP-510, complementing the other sounds with its unmistakable Steinway timbre. The digital upright comes with three versions of each grand piano sound: the original, a more subdued version, and an especially assertive version.
The remaining 26 sounds of the GP-510 are divided into six groups: “”Various Piano”, “Electric Piano”, “Harpsichord/Vibes”, “Strings”, “Organ” and “Bass”. The first bank offers additional acoustic piano sounds similar to those found in other Celviano digital uprights. These bright, lively sounds are perfect for rock and pop. Moreover, the bank includes a dance piano and a piano pad layer.
The electric pianos offer three high-quality Fender Rhodes variants, as well as a nice Wurlitzer and FM piano sound. The strings offer a natural ensemble with long and short attacks, as well as a synth pad. The selection is completed by two pipe organs, four universal electric organs, a harpsichord, a vibraphone, a bass guitar, and a double bass, the latter of which has a variant with ride cymbals. While these additional sounds don’t quite match the quality of the three grand pianos, they still sound appealing and are a reasonable addition.
Players can create splits and layers with all 35 sounds and use both functions simultaneously. How about a double bass in the left hand plus a piano or electric piano layer? No problem for the Casio GP-510! It creates a richness of sound that makes playing even more fun.
The GP-510 stores its sound configurations, including octave, volume, and effect settings (reverb and chorus), in ten user memories called Scenes. Fifteen unchangeable preset scenes, named after classical composers, are dedicated primarily to the three grand piano sounds.
The ten parameters in the Acoustic Simulator menu are only available for the three main sounds: Berlin, Hamburg, and Vienna Grand. These parameters allow you to adjust string resonances and the sound effects of the grand piano’s action and pedals. These parameters include special features, such as Aliquot Resonance, which simulates the resonance of an acoustic piano’s additional upper strings. With these parameters, you can precisely adjust the intensity of such sound details, contributing to the Casio GP-510’s vibrant, resonant sound.
The “Lid Simulator,” a virtual piano lid, has a special feature. You can select the closed, half-open, or open settings using not only the control panel, but also the following methods: As is now common in Casio’s Celviano series, the GP-510 has a real piano lid that affects the corresponding lid parameter. To produce the sound of an open grand piano, the player simply needs to open the real lid on the GP. However, closing the lid can be tricky and works best when the music stand is removed.
At first glance, the top-of-the-line Casio model gives the impression of sitting at a real piano, thanks in part to its exceptional sound system. The GP-510 has three pairs of speakers, each driven by a 30- or 20-watt stereo amplifier, depending on whether it is a midrange, treble, or bass speaker. The wooden floor under the keyboard contributes to the sound characteristics, creating a soundboard effect. Sound from the upper speakers reaches the player through fabric-covered openings at the top of the piano.
The overall sound is powerful, transparent, and spacious across the entire range. Compared to its predecessor, the GP-510 uses new bass speakers that make it appear even more voluminous in the bass range without compromising sound transparency.
In addition to the standard metronome, Casio’s premium piano offers reliable practice tools. These include the 60 MIDI songs in the “Music Library,” which are classical piano pieces recorded on two tracks so you can play the left and right hands separately for learning purposes. There are also 15 “Concert Play Songs,” which are audio recordings of symphonic music, some of which are fully orchestrated. With Time Stretching, you can slightly adjust the tempo.
Pianists can record their own performances as MIDI songs on two tracks or as audio songs in WAV format on a USB memory stick. There are also ten internal memories for MIDI songs. You can play any WAV song from a USB drive through the piano’s sound system. Finally, the Duet function splits the keyboard into two independent halves for four-handed playing.
It would have been nice to have Bluetooth, but the new GP generation still does not support this wireless data technology. The GP-510 is also not compatible with Casio’s Chordana Play for Piano app, even via USB-MIDI. Therefore, remote control via a mobile device is not currently possible.
However, since the GP-510 is designed as a digital upright piano with a manageable range of functions, operating it via the function keys and display is not too difficult. You can also connect the GP-510 to a computer via USB-MIDI to play piano applications.
Casio GP-510 vs. GP-310: The less expensive GP-310 offers nearly the same high-end features as the GP-510, including an excellent keyboard and powerful playback system. The only differences are that the 310 has a matte finish and lacks brass caps on the front legs. It is available in satin black and white.
The main differences concern the software. The smaller GP has 26 sounds instead of 35, lacks registration memories (Scenes), and has less detailed virtual parameters for customizing the three grand piano sounds than the top model. The GP-310 is an attractive alternative because it costs more than $1,000 less than the GP-510.
The Casio GP-510 is an elegant hybrid digital piano that clearly references the acoustic model. Its excellent wooden keyboard, elaborate hammer action, and high-quality foot pedals with realistic touch response demonstrate Casio’s hybrid piano approach with this model. Additionally, the powerful sound system reproduces the high-quality sounds of three original grand pianos with remarkable accuracy.
Casio’s top digital upright’s other functions and sound selection also provide a well-rounded picture. The only minor drawbacks are the slightly lower quality of some additional sounds and the lack of app support. However, if you are aware of these flaws and still decide to purchase the GP-510, you will receive a top-class digital upright piano with an eye-catching feature: a clear view of the hammer action, effectively staged with a sophisticated mirror effect.
Release date: November 2019
Keyboard: 88 keys, Natural Grand Hammer Action, triple sensor
Polyphony: 256 voices
Sound generation: Sampling, AiR Grand Sound Source
Included accessories: Power supply, headphone hook, score book „Concert Play/Music Library“
Special features: Three grand piano sounds, excellent manufacturing, 10 User Scenes
Manufacturer/Distributor: Casio
Henrik Bruns
The excellent wooden keyboard, elaborate hammer action, and high-quality foot pedals with realistic touch response demonstrate Casio's hybrid piano approach with this model.
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