Yamaha Electric Grand Piano

[BostonDave]

Came very close to getting my hands on a Yamaha CP70 yesterday.

This is a portable electric grand piano designed to be used on stage. It has real piano strings, hammers and piano keys but no soundboard. Strings for each note were outfitted with piezo pickups to convert string vibration into electical signal just like with an electric guitar.

Looks like I missed it by a day or so. Seller wanted $300 and was from way out in the country (about 2 1/2 hours from here). Looked mint.

These things are bulky and retro and perhaps whomever bought it may seek to resell it sometime over the next few months. I'll be watching the ads as these don't come up too often around here.

Here's a link. Not sure if the one for sale locally was a CP70 or a CP70B, but the link is for the CP70B model.

http://www.cathedralstone.net/Pages/YamahaCP70B.htm

 

[spideyjack]

wow, those things are cool, I have known several players who traveled with one and a tuning hammer! imagine having to tune that thing in a noisy club, $300.00 is a steal in my opinion. Too bad you missed it

 

[Guest123]

The original Yamaha CP-70 had some serious issues with tuning stability in the bass section. A CP-70B is a much improved version of this instrument and the CP-70B with Midi capability is a great addition to any serious keyboard set-up. A word on the tuning: if it is indeed a CP-70B and the tuning is done right, the piano should hold that tune for some time. Just be careful when moving it and where it's stored between gigs, etc, etc. Pianos of any kind greatly dislike sudden jolts and are sensitive to temperature and humidity changes.

regards,

 

[FredC]

I wanted one of those so bad in the 80's. The other Big Dog back then was the Helpenstill Roadmaster.

 

[BostonDave]

The original Yamaha CP-70 had some serious issues with tuning stability in the bass section. A CP-70B is a much improved version of this instrument and the CP-70B with Midi capability is a great addition to any serious keyboard set-up. A word on the tuning: if it is indeed a CP-70B and the tuning is done right, the piano should hold that tune for some time. Just be careful when moving it and where it's stored between gigs, etc, etc. Pianos of any kind greatly dislike sudden jolts and are sensitive to temperature and humidity changes.

regards,

I've heard performers complain about the tuning issues, but assumed that moving it around and in and out of the cold was much to blame. I guess guitars and to some degree analog synths are sensitive to those conditions as well. My plans would have been to have this remain stationary in the same studio space with the above mentioned guitars and synthezisers. It might be nice to be able to haul something like this around to jams/gigs, but that's not going to happen until after I get a crew of roadies and techs on the payroll... so basically it's never going to happen.

 

[Guest123]

I've heard performers complain about the tuning issues, but assumed that moving it around and in and out of the cold was much to blame. I guess guitars and to some degree analog synths are sensitive to those conditions as well. My plans would have been to have this remain stationary in the same studio space with the above mentioned guitars and synthezisers. It might be nice to be able to haul something like this around to jams/gigs, but that's not going to happen until after I get a crew of roadies and techs on the payroll... so basically it's never going to happen.

I'd still be very hesitant to but an old CP-70. The problem with the bass is due to the stringing scale. Basically, it's called "inharmonicity" and is a real bitch for even the most seasoned piano tuner to deal with. Better to find a good, used CP-70B...preferably with the Midi option.

regards,

 

[Guest123]

Sorry for the typo....that should read: "...hesitant to buy..."