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25 of 26 found the following review helpful:
 Great Organ Sounds! - Piano not as good Feb 09, 2007
By R. Stoer
I purchased my WK-8000 to replace a four year old Yamaha keyboard which I liked but had outgrown. I began looking strictly at new Yamahas but models with the features I wanted were a little more than I was hoping to spend so I decided that I should at least check out the Casio's before dismissing them as toys; It turns out I'm very glad I did.
My background was playing a Farfisa Compact-Duo in a 60's rock band so I wanted something with convincing organ sounds. While my Yamaha could "suggest" the sound of a Vox, Farfisa, or Hammond it never nailed any of them. The Casio is absolutely incredible at producing almost any organ sound you're looking for. The unique drawbar feature is a real stroke of genius. Close your eyes and you really believe you're playing a B3! It even has a control wheel for the rotary speaker effect that if you flip from full-on to full-off (or vice-versa) it winds down (or up) slowly, just like a mechanical Leslie. The only thing that would make it better would be an available foot switch. With a little experimentation I've gotten the most convincing Doors first album/Vox sound I've heard. I can't say enough about the variety of organ settings on this thing.
Most of the other sounds are generally good; the only thing I'm somewhat disappointed in is the piano sound. The bottom is rich and full but when you get much above middle C it sounds tinny. By the time you're an octave above middle C it sounds more like a steel drum than a grand piano. Switching to mellow piano helps some, but not much. Yamaha wins for better overall piano sounds.
The U.S. Casio website doesn't contain as much technical information as their European site or Yamaha's US site but a little research shows that the WK-8000 has more power and larger speakers than most keyboards, giving it enough volume for almost any in-home use. Advanced users can customize existing waveforms and import their own sounds for even more versatility, something not often found in this price range. Casio even has a website with free downloads of additional tones and songs. Build quality is fine, not "on-tour" rugged but just as good as similar products from Yamaha and others. The WK-8000 comes complete with an AC adapter, stand, and sustain petal, things that are optional on many smaller models.
Like most keyboards, any piano mode causes the keys to produce a louder sound in response to a harder touch, but unlike smaller models the keys are also shaped like piano keys. The keyboard feel falls into the `lightly weighted' category (something else Casio's literature is vague about). This weighting (also used by Yamaha and others) is `neither here-nor-there' as true pianos have fully weighted keys and organ keys feel like... well, organ keys. If you're primarily an organist this slightly higher resistance might slow you down a little at first but you get used to it and when you do it should make you a little more comfortable when sitting down at an acoustic piano.
The bottom line is that I'm very pleased with the WK-8000. The only thing keeping it from attaining a five star rating is the lackluster piano sounds, but if your primary focus is organ you won't beat it at twice the price.
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
 BEST KEYBOARD EVER May 07, 2008
By Philip R. Groover
"PHIL"
I just simply love this keyboard. Has alot more stuff than I really need cause I bought it just for home use. All the tones and rythyms sound true and are just wonderful. The piano sound could be alittle better when you play higher up frome mid C. but other than that its great. I would recommend this keyboard to just about every person, beginner or professional. The speakers are loud and very clear and the bass is fantastic. Want a keyboard to use at home in bands or just about anywhere, then you should buy this one. Out does Yamaha 2 to 1.
5 of 6 found the following review helpful:
A Beginner's Take Jun 13, 2008
By C. A. Walker
I ordered this product as I've become interested in playing music in my late 20's. I was looking for a full size 88-Key digital piano and this did not disappoint. To me(granted I have played only on a few real pianos) this is the real deal. Sounds great, the speakers are nice, the tones are excellent and the overall quality greater than I expected at the price point. I was excited to start playing and now that I have I'm more excited to continue. The amount of options you have is a bit overwhelming at first(again I'm a beginner!)but the sheer volume of what you can do with this unit is impressive - and all for a great price as compared to similar units.
I was told that Casio keyboards were considered more "toys" than instruments but I heartily disagree. A friend of mine who has been playing since she was 4(Korean, started at 4 years old 4 hours a day until she began college at the age of 20) was very impressed and is now considering purchasing one herself as her apartment is too small for a full baby grand. All in all it is a great product with a completely reasonable price.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Good piano (keyboard) Oct 30, 2008
By Josue
I recently bought this keyboard because I have a piano class, so I need a large piano. This instrument has keyboards that looks like piano. It has many type of sounds and it is cheap as well.
In hindsight, the last good Casio workstation Jun 30, 2011
By Bari E. Krisinger
If you can find one of these in reasonably good condition or new, grab it. I've owned three Casio keyboards and this one by far is the best. This was one of the last models to use the Zpi sound chip which is superior to what they're using now. I have owned this one for over 4 years and regularly take it back and forth to practice and in live performance settings. When compared with the new WK7500, which I also own, the 8000 blows it away feature and sound-wise. I own some professional midi modules and synths from Roland, Yamaha and Korg and I am acutely aware of sound authenticity and quality. I cannot get rid of the 8000, because it would leave a major hole in my arsenal of sound tools.
Having said that, as in anything there are a few weaknesses. The solo string sounds, (violin, cello, viola) are fairly weak. String ensembles, however, are rich and textured as is brass and many of the synth sounds. Anytime I require authentic brass or strings, I am forced to drag out the 8000 along because it sounds so good.
There are surprisingly many ways to tweak the sounds via effects, even though you can only stack two at a time. This adds a lot of character and originality to your patches. The new models do not allow you to import your own waves for custom sounds. The 8000 does, even though the storage area is inadequate for more than two or three custom waves, at least you have the option of using something completely non-Casio in your mix.
The WK8000 has never failed me even though it has traveled a lot. It lives in a Gator soft case, which seems to provide proper protection. The power block has never had to be replaced and nothing has ever cracked, nor have I had any problems with non-sounding keys. The cabinet looks a bit dated now and maybe a bit "consumer-ish", but really, it's all about the sound and playability.
New, I paid $499 for this model, the same price as the most recent WK7500 which is a 76-key model. Sorry Casio, but the 8000 blows the new "improved" 7500 out of the water sonically, and yes, I'm a little bit upset that "new and improved" isn't anywhere close to new and improved. (Hint: try one out at a music store instead of swallowing manufacturer's hype. I learned my lesson).
As I said, if you can find one, get it. Then if you have a chance, compare it to the higher ticket machines, I sincerely think you'll be pleased and consider this a smart purchase.
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