AKAI MPK261
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MPK261?adpos=1o1&creative=55642031881&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&product_id=MPK261&gclid=Cj0KEQiAuonGBRCaotXoycysvIMBEiQAcxV0nEmJznqFezeHAdAkIBjPd2WOGFtAHIgv6pXR-D1M7bQaAolx8P8HAQ
 
Keys are a bit stiff but well built and great dynamic response as a controller.

Rimshot
AKAI MPK261
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/MPK261?adpos=1o1&creative=55642031881&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&product_id=MPK261&gclid=Cj0KEQiAuonGBRCaotXoycysvIMBEiQAcxV0nEmJznqFezeHAdAkIBjPd2WOGFtAHIgv6pXR-D1M7bQaAolx8P8HAQ
 
Keys are a bit stiff but well built and great dynamic response as a controller.

I have the MPK 25, and like the keys on it.
Not a piano player by any means..

Good recommendations on controllers, guys.
 
In this case I'm looking for something more "piano-like" - doesn't need 88-keys, but definitely a realistic grand piano key action.
 
If anyone has any good controllers with aftertouch though, those are welcome too! 

davdud101
 
In this case I'm looking for something more "piano-like" - doesn't need 88-keys, but definitely a realistic grand piano key action.

Then you're looking at 88 keys. (There might be an odd duck model out there that's fully weighted with 76 keys, but that's not the norm).
 
That's not to say you should rule out smaller keyboards, but they won't have a "piano-like" feel.  However, you might prefer the extra midi controller functionality they offer.  Only you can decide what features are the most important to you.
 
Go have a visit with the keyboards at your local GC, play some weighted and semi-weighted, then come back and share your thoughts.  Until then your ideas are kinda all over the place, so the recommendations here will be just as scattered.

Go play the Studio Logic stuff and the Native Instruments stuff. They have the best key beds. Even the smaller versions which don't have 'piano action' feel great. 

I don't own a Privia but have played a bunch of them. They come at different price points,  and the action on the higher end models (still pretty inexpensive) has always impressed me.
 
I don't have hands on with the NI Kontrol 88 key model but I own the synth weighted 61 version. Very high quality build and everything I've seen says the 88 is as well. You should be able to get one at the upper end of your budget. The big advantage over the Privia is the control you have over nks vsti. There are quite a few vsti (not just NI instruments) that take advantage of nks (Lounge Lizard comes to mind as an excellent piano example). The mouse free vsti control is fantastic, it makes the controller more like a dedicated interface for each vsti and is far, far superior to what my old Novation had. I could never really get Automap workjng consistently. To be fair, newer Novation and Akai boards might be comparable but I am not sure they integrate quite as tightly.
 
NI boards always require that you are plugged into a computer obviously. The Privia you can just turn on and play on board sounds through on board speakers. The sounds are not up the best vsti pianos but are really pretty good. Speakers are not half bad either. Though I like that concept the flexibility of the controller route easily wins out for my purposes.
 
Brian

filtersweep
I don't own a Privia but have played a bunch of them. They come at different price points,  and the action on the higher end models (still pretty inexpensive) has always impressed me.
 
//
 
NI boards always require that you are plugged into a computer obviously. The Privia you can just turn on and play on board sounds through on board speakers. The sounds are not up the best vsti pianos but are really pretty good. Speakers are not half bad either. Though I like that concept the flexibility of the controller route easily wins out for my purposes.
 
Brian

 
Good lookin' out, Brian. I've semi-settled on that I'll (we'll) be buying a separate MIDI controller keyboard that'll fulfil the purpose of VST control. That's partially why I want to also have a weighted piano-type keyboard to supplement the other 'synthier' keyboard. So in case a real pianist, or someone who prefers weighted keys (like me) comes in, both types are at our disposal.

Thats really ghe best option IMHO. I have the NI S6 synthweighted controller and a Kurz pc3x 88 weighted key synth, which has great on board sounds in its own right and I can jus turn it on to play thru amp or interface and monitors withoug dealing w computer if I just want to bang out an idea.
 
Hadn't thought of it before (and I do think the Privias offer a lot for the money), but if you are willing to go used you could prob pick up a weighted synth from Kurzweil, Roland, Yamaha or Korg that will frankly blow the Privia out of the water in terms of all around capabilities AND will be at least equal, probably better, for piano. Downside being a steeper learning curve and, of course, no built in speakers but although the speakers sound pretty good, you probably woundn't use them in a studio setting or live setting.