my favorite piece of kit. doubles as a desk space, sounds like heaven and is the only thing that still works in my studio when the electricity goes out
I have one .. baught it new in 1979 .. it's the only one in Seychelles where I live .. used it with my band and for solo piano performing.. it now sits in my sitting room home studio .. awesome piano .. I am also a piano tuner ....
So, you save money on keeping it up to pitch. That’s shrewd, I wanted to learn to tune pianos so I could keep mine up (when I owned it), but it didn’t happen. Over 45 years (as of my comment), has the action on yours loosened up? I know that many CP models suffer from the shortcoming of many early Yamaha pianos, an action so stiff that you needed to hit the keys hard enough to waste your wrists in order to get clear tones.
Fantastic instrument, I'm lucky enough to own one of these. The bass notes get a little thin, and it has that "tinny" piano sound all around due to its strings. Yet it remains a bonafide classic. The action is unbeatable imo. Nice vid!
Too funny. Awesome video. I just bought a used on in awesome condition here in Ontario Canada on Dec 4th and had one string replaced and tuned by a local tech on the 22nd. I am in seventh heaven. I am also renting at the moment a Roland JC40 amp and OMG the sound is truly stellar. I used to own one back in Nov/88 but sadly had to sell it in '94 as it was just costing me too much for upkeep tuning wise...went the Clavinova way but still missed that sound being a huge Genesis/Tony Banks/Collins/Gabriel fan. After years of digital pianos and plug ins I just couldn't take it anymore. Nothing was coming close. I used Prominy, 8Dio, Addictive Keys and Waves. They were all pretty good but somehow were truly lacking at the same time. The only piano that came close was the Nord Piano 4 and that was after many test drives. I sold that and now I hav a Yamaha CP88 and even that doesn't hold up to the Nord. Finally, I said screw it...and bought my adoptive child into my home once again. Could not be happier. This is the ONLY time where I can honestly say that analogue or the real thing beats out any digital replica...not to suggest that they are all bad because some do a better job than others but overall you just can't beat a real one....but that's just me. I am soooo happy now. Now I have to decide whether to keep the Roland amp or go direct through my mixer using a Boss Waza Chorus.
I just acquired my CP-70B a couple of months ago in a local trade for a guitar. I’ve wanted one for years because I’ve always loved the 80’s artists/tunes I associated with it: Tears For Fears, Simple Minds, Howard Jones, etc. I am primarily a vintage synthesizer owner and have several classic synths. BUT…the CP-70B is the only instrument I’ve ever owned that makes me giddy knowing it’s just down the hall from me. My wife gave me a Boss CE-1 for my birthday last week and I love it even more now.
Same here. I just bought a used one in awesome condition here in Ontario Canada on Dec 4th and had one string replaced and tuned by a local tech on the 22nd. I am in seventh heaven. I am also renting at the moment a Roland JC40 amp and OMG the sound is truly stellar. I used to own one back in Nov/88 but sadly had to sell it in '94 as it was just costing me too much for upkeep tuning wise...went the Clavinova way but still missed that sound being a huge Genesis/Tony Banks/Collins/Gabriel fan. After years of digital pianos and plug ins I just couldn't take it anymore. Nothing was coming close. I used Prominy, 8Dio, Addictive Keys and Waves. They were all pretty good but somehow were truly lacking at the same time. The only piano that came close was the Nord Piano 4 and that was after many test drives. I sold that and now I hav a Yamaha CP88 and even that doesn't hold up to the Nord. Finally, I said screw it...and bought my adoptive child into my home once again. Could not be happier. This is the ONLY time where I can honestly say that analogue or the real thing beats out any digital replica...not to suggest that they are all bad because some do a better job than others but overall you just can't beat a real one....but that's just me. I am soooo happy now. Now I have to decide whether to keep the Roland amp or go direct through my mixer using a Boss Waza Chorus. Great wife you hav there.....LOL How are you running your CP?? Direct or through an amp? Checkout my ultimate playlist for our beloved piano. open.spotify.com/playlist/2FcjkKUFjwg9aOZ7cEnfy3?si=ed8060d7368a4f0c
I am grateful to you for introducing me to this instrument. It sounds like the perfect hybrid between an acoustic piano and a Rhodes. What a beautiful sound. Thanks for your videos, they are always interesting.
I have a CP70B which I love, particularly for the key feel, and the real interactive harmonics when you use the sustain pedal. I use it mainly un-amped for quiet composition/classical-playing, but when I (rarely now) use it live for my solo shows, I pair it with a quite dark single PA powered box placed underneath behind the pedals for the most appealing tone.
This was excellent, thank you! I’ve been eyeing one ever since I first saw Keane use one when they first started out. A particular sound and iconic shape, love it.
It's a True Electric Piano. It's different from the Digital Piano because it's actually Electromechanical (like the Electric Guitar and Electric Violin) in that it has Strings amplified by pickups.
I actually grew up with the 88 note version of this. I don’t know if you mentioned it or not in this video, but in the later ones, there was the M version which had midi implementation as well. Growing up, my mom had the midi version with a DX7 on top of it. And so that was the set up that I took piano lessons on and learned how to play. And so the combo piano series has a special place in my heart not only the interesting tones, but that it was the piano I learned how to play on. And also, the DX seven has a special place in my heart for that reason as well.
THE sound of late 70's Genesis! I had very small budget when buying a synth, and I chose Casio CT-S1 model.... specifically because it has the CP-70 sound preset. Along with a Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Mellotron presets. It's incredible.
I definitely want one of those. It's the only electric piano that sounds remotely like an acoustic piano and it has its own sound, so it's nostalgic too. WORTH it!!!
Thank you for making this video. I agree with you that the CP-70 is unique and in many ways I prefer it to many acoustic pianos especially baby grands. I have always wanted to own one because of its beautiful sound and finally came accross one this summer and now I am the proud owner of a CP-70M. I purchased it from the original owner who bought it new in 1985. Nothing comes close to playing on a real CP-70 and you will not fully understand this until you play one. The M version is fantastic and if anything is the best version in my opinion. The MIDI is very transparent to the action and very reliable. The later versions improved the preamp and added balanced outputs compared to the original version. Yamaha also refined the action from the B version onward.
In owned an early CP-80 in the 80s and 90s. It sounded a little more like a real acoustic grand, i.e. not quite as ‘tinny‘, due to its larger body. The action was not only much better than the abysmal one of the Rhodes (had a Mk.I) but also better than on every upright piano and even many grands. However: its price and weight … OMG! But as a studio instrument I‘d still prefer it to a Rhodes.
I think the problem is the CPs can often sit in this awkward space between e piano (Whirli and Rhodes) sounds and actual piano sounds. In an era of complex romplers and big sample libraries the CP's appeal can get lost because often times a regular e piano or a regular piano will just do the job better, leaving the CP to only use cases where it's very specific flavor is needed. They're definitely fun and interesting but I almost never find myself reaching for that sound instead of something else.
Underrated and underappreciated instruments by both acoustic piano purists and commercial musicians. IMHO this is one of the most distinct and original keyboard voices ever created. Its a mashup of an acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, and a Clavinet. #respect
Great video. I have LOVED the CP sound ever since listening to it on Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds, Tears for Fears albums. I love what I think of as its own guitarish/bellish sound. I don't have space for a real one, but I use Modartt Pianoteq and the "Electric Grand" sounds in my Kawai MP7se. (This sounds a little different, and it's presumably a sampled version of Kawai's own little-known electric grand from the 80s, the EP-308 etc). Since I've never played a real CP, I can't say how realistic they are, and I'm not a great player anyway, but I love them.
I've had my CP-80 for about 15 years. It resides in the living room and is played almost exclusively acoustically--it's great for piano playing with a real key feel that's quiet enough to not be unobtrusive when someone is working on a song. Tuning it (which should be done about 2x a year but I do it once a year, tops) is a challenge but on the plus side there are fewer strings than an acoustic piano. I was able to pick it up for a song - I had to arrange cross-country piano shipping which actually cost more than the price of the piano. If you see one that says "local pickup only" keep in mind that you can still arrange shipping for it yourself and have the piano movers pick it up. Local pick up listings tend to be the cheaper ones as they have a limited market, so take advantage of that if you want one.
Thanks for your great video.. I'm an amateur and own a cp 70b which I also use unamplified for classic studies.. Usually I have a little chain made by an mxr dyna comp, boss ce2w, boss rv6 and mxr phase 90, which I alternatively use.. Great instrument which I prefer to my nord piano 3 for the beautiful feeling in playing it. Love it forever 👍
It really has a voice of it's own, almost like a piano that cuts through like a guitar. A beautiful instrument, if not prohibitively expensive and weighty.
I had the CP80M, which is kinda an upright version of the CP70, with MIDI! I bought mine in the late 90s, yes its wooden keyboard is wonderful, the sound is very distinct BUT, I now have a Roland FP10, which feels just as good, but hooked up to Pianoteq gives me 100s of different piano flavours, including a very good CP70. Funny enough, the emulation sounds better to my ears, probably because its in tune lol! I might add the CPs weigh more than 100kg, lightweight for a piano, but heavy as lead to move around!
I have both a Yamaha CP80 and and a Mark II 73, both in perfect conditions, both with Stereo Tremolo (the Rhodes as a special Preamp by Retro-Flyer, a very good unit). In my opinion, there is no comparison between these instruments, as they sound completely different and must be played in different ways. Using one or another - for me - is a matter of choice according to the type of music I will be playing Live or Studio. The 80 is VERY difficult to carry around, the Rhodes is Difficult too (a little lighter). Both Piano requires some knowledge from the Owner and a GOOD tech close by. (for instance, I have to touch up the tuning on the CP myself, the Rhodes is more stable, but the voicing on a Rhodes is a b***!) . I also have a VERY good digital piano (a Nord ), which imitates the sound of both pianos but, believe me, in reality, it only comes close.
I bought a used one in 1985, all I could do to carry it up the stairs at my apartment. More or less donated it to the church where I played. It was a challenge to keep it in tune. I broke lots of strings on it. I restrung the whole thing once with new strings from Yamaha. Then kept the old strings. With in a few years it was breaking strings again. Around 2000 I took it home, sometime later we cleaned house and sent it to the dump.
Agreed. The timbre and playing experience are significantly different. This is not a Rhodes replacement, and yes, people covet the Rhodes with greater ferocity.
Why do people compare a Rhodes to a CP70 B Rhodes aren’t grand pianos they don’t have strings so I don’t get the comparisons at all two different instruments !!! Also the CP wasn’t specifically meant to sound like a real grand it was meant to bridge the gap that it could be amplified than being mic’d up
CP70B player here, I would actually expect most people to hear demos such as this on youtube and think 'Meh'... it's not obvious why it's a great instrument. The evidence for me were the dozens of hit records that had caught my ear over the years which all turned out to be CP80/70 pianos... there was also a very famous sampled piano sound on the Emulators which was one of defining sounds of early house music which I believe was also a CP. Playing the instrument is very inspiring, you really feel the tone and that might not come across in a recording, it certainly leads me to compose something totally different, because you are enjoying the harmonics and interactions which you can only get from an acoustic instrument, and the harmonic is unique compared to other pianos because of the lower string count. As regards tuning, I had it professionally tuned once and the result was amazing, top tuner who only started out by measuring the middle key and then did everything else by ear/beating.. the results were amazing, subsequently it was re-tuned by another guy and the result was negative, taking away the mojo from earlier.. sadly I wasn't present to see why! So there's something to watch out for there.. As regards the on-board electronics I've read many years ago that the way to get a great studio sound is to simply bypass them completely... get the signal into your recording chain and then you can experiment at will. Of course with the Rhodes it's the effects that make so much of the sound character. In summary I think it's an instrument that can be played as a piano, but I like to think of it more like a an acoustic synthesizer, most suited to mid and top parts, a creative sound source to add a bit of acoustic mojo... the keyboard player's e-guitar
Piano techs, like guitar techs and amp techs vary drastically in quality, one might make your instrument play and sound amazing while another will make it worse than it was before. I've found more bad ones than good ones over the years
First electric piano I used was a Baldwin Upright student model. It had so-so action and mediocre amplified sound, as in lousy harmonic overtones. My first Yamaha piano was a CP30. They had fairly good action, were durable and reliable but for emulating an acoustic did not have a very realistic timbre. Over a span of 20 years I had three different CP70B's. The grand action versus the upright was an enormous improvement permitting excellent touch and response. Since I did not like the tone control parameters, I by-passed the active electronics and made passive connections (similar to an electric guitar) and used graphic equalization to contour the sound. Additionally I used a Boss CE2 chorus on one of the sends. However, I did find that there was a much less dynamic range than with an acoustic piano. Tuning is much easier with the use of a decent Conn Strobotuner. Following these boards I acquired a CP60M. This is an upright that has the keyboard action being a shelf that folds up to be less tippy for transporting. Single good feature was having added sensors providing MIDI output. Drawbacks are that total gross weight is less but it is in a single case (not the separated action and harp of the CP70's and CP80's). Also, again, the upright action is less responsive. With pianos I have acquired since then: Korg SGproX (which has the keybed of the Yamaha Clavinova). The lighter action was a relief to my aging wrists. This remains a faster repeat-note action than my Yamaha M08, Roland RD300sx, Korg Kronos73, Kurzweil 2600xs and Roland FA-08.
The Yamaha CP70 was basically made for Charly García. The most enthusiastic can find his sound in Serú Girán's albums "La grease de las capitales", "Bicicleta" and "Peperina", then in his solo albums "Yendo de la cama al living", "Clics Modernos" and " "Piano Bar". In later albums its use would be increasingly limited to some specific songs. 🩷
CP60M, it’s an upright, single pice unit and the keyboard folds down into the unit. Also has midi. I have one but am thinking about jumping to the 70b.
As I wrote in the other video Alamo Music uploaded about the CP line, I wish I hadn’t turned loose of my CP70. I should’ve kept it, had the sustain system fixed and had (whatever was causing) the white noise in the outputs cleaned out. I daydream about getting a 80 and having it MIDIfied. That has been done before, right? I know the CP70M and the CP60 both have it.
I have one.. baught it in 1979 the only one in Seychelles. .used it with my band and also for solo piano performing .. I also fitted a piano- hing on the top cover so it opens like a grand piano .. it's now in my personal home studio.. not for sale ....
Rhodes has tins as signal source. It does not need tuning. On the contrary, Yamaha has strings same as classic piano and needs tuning, specially if it is being used as touring instrument. That is the big advantage for Rhodes.
I had a CP70B. It weighed a f***ing ton. I never got to take it on the road as I was doing a one man show out of a small hatchback. The Rhodes looks a lot more portable and I don't think they were as expensive. However, if you ask me which sound I prefer nothing comes close to the CP70/80
Two different animals.. People tend to lean towards warmer tones which is why the love for Fender Rhodes is still so popular. And to add to that, the CP-70 is not the most portable piece of gear to carry around. I've personally used a Rhodes stage as well as suitcase for gigs in the past. The CP-70 isn't worth it in my personal and professional opinion.
Ever since the Acoustic-Electric Grand came out , bakc in the day , I always preferred it over the Rhodes , but I still liked the Rhodes … The ideal would have been to have both ..
@@jaywood5831 If you play Thin Ice from Roger Water Waters' The Wall Live In Berlin w/ Ute Lemper that's very close to the CP' 'sound" and sounds incredible on a real one with a Boss Chorus.
A Rhodes sounds like a Rhodes. It spawned entire genres of music. A CP70/80 sounds like a slightly odd acoustic piano. 98% of the audience won't grasp the subtleties. Personally, I live the CP. Always have.
I’ve owned a CP-80 for 6 years now and will never part with it. My honest opinion is this: I have many exceptional samples for the various suitcase pianos from my Kurzweil and Korg Oasys, however I’ve yet to hear a accurate sample of a CP-70/80 that doesn’t justice. My PC3X has a decent-ish CP70 sound only in the middle C register of the keyboard and then it wanes. Nothing sounds like a CP-70/80 except for a real one, the Rhodes and wurlies are done remarkably well so I have no need for one of those
I’ve owned a CP-80 for 6 years now and will never part with it. My honest opinion is this: I have many exceptional samples for the various suitcase pianos from my Kurzweil and Korg Oasys, however I’ve yet to hear a accurate sample of a CP-70/80 that does it justice. My PC3X has a decent-ish CP70 sound only in the middle C register of the keyboard and then it wanes. Nothing sounds like a CP-70/80 except for a real one, the Rhodes and wurlies are done remarkably well so I have no need for one of those
I think people percieved the CP70 often more as a "cheap tour-replacement" for a grand piano than an instrument on its own, while the Rhodes was soundwise far enough from a real piano to be an instrument on its own.
Well first off its a lot of money.. chances are it needs to be restrung if you buy it and tuned which is a nightmare. It needs constant maintenance. Use a plug in. There are some amazing ones that sound identical
I never loved the sound, tbh - the Rhodes felt like it was its own thing, while the CPs were clearly trying to sound like a piano but missing the mark. Despite the fact there are some songs where that sound is immediately identifiable, I can’t say my opinion has changed much - it’s always the same, and that’s just a shame. My 2c, that’s all.
Of course the Rhodes was a bit more portable & easier to transport then a CP electric grand …. But it was still a portable grand piano 🎹…, Didn’t need piano movers to have it moved for a live situations ….
Rhodes and Wurlitzers are the most sought after because of their versatility - Yamaha CP is cool but they never were and they never will be at the same level of a Rhodes - poor comparison - because the Rhodes is a standard and honestly all I can think about listening to this demo is Chinese all yo can eat buffet music - that is a Yamaha 70 ep - whether Billy Joel or Phil Collins play it - sounds pretty - but not as funky, fly , lush and versatile as a Rhodes Suitcase ep - a true standard!
More research before making video. Gave you my attention for 1/4 hour and you couldn’t even research/recite the actual weights? One is heavy and one is “lighter?” 2.5/5 stars...
Dude, sit on your hands, please. You are constantly waiving them around and it really detracts from your presentation. Look at any self improvement guide for public speaking, and they will all stress that hand movement like that is a no-no. If you're sitting, then just rest them on your lap. Hope you don't take this as an offense. Good presentation, otherwise.
The sound of Keane - I love it.
my favorite piece of kit. doubles as a desk space, sounds like heaven and is the only thing that still works in my studio when the electricity goes out
I have one .. baught it new in 1979 .. it's the only one in Seychelles where I live .. used it with my band and for solo piano performing.. it now sits in my sitting room home studio .. awesome piano .. I am also a piano tuner ....
So, you save money on keeping it up to pitch. That’s shrewd, I wanted to learn to tune pianos so I could keep mine up (when I owned it), but it didn’t happen.
Over 45 years (as of my comment), has the action on yours loosened up? I know that many CP models suffer from the shortcoming of many early Yamaha pianos, an action so stiff that you needed to hit the keys hard enough to waste your wrists in order to get clear tones.
I own Chick Corea's cp70 and I absolutely love it ... aside from trying to move it 😂. The thing is like 300+ pounds
Fantastic instrument, I'm lucky enough to own one of these. The bass notes get a little thin, and it has that "tinny" piano sound all around due to its strings. Yet it remains a bonafide classic. The action is unbeatable imo. Nice vid!
Too funny. Awesome video. I just bought a used on in awesome condition here in Ontario Canada on Dec 4th and had one string replaced and tuned by a local tech on the 22nd. I am in seventh heaven. I am also renting at the moment a Roland JC40 amp and OMG the sound is truly stellar. I used to own one back in Nov/88 but sadly had to sell it in '94 as it was just costing me too much for upkeep tuning wise...went the Clavinova way but still missed that sound being a huge Genesis/Tony Banks/Collins/Gabriel fan.
After years of digital pianos and plug ins I just couldn't take it anymore. Nothing was coming close. I used Prominy, 8Dio, Addictive Keys and Waves. They were all pretty good but somehow were truly lacking at the same time. The only piano that came close was the Nord Piano 4 and that was after many test drives. I sold that and now I hav a Yamaha CP88 and even that doesn't hold up to the Nord. Finally, I said screw it...and bought my adoptive child into my home once again. Could not be happier. This is the ONLY time where I can honestly say that analogue or the real thing beats out any digital replica...not to suggest that they are all bad because some do a better job than others but overall you just can't beat a real one....but that's just me.
I am soooo happy now. Now I have to decide whether to keep the Roland amp or go direct through my mixer using a Boss Waza Chorus.
I just acquired my CP-70B a couple of months ago in a local trade for a guitar. I’ve wanted one for years because I’ve always loved the 80’s artists/tunes I associated with it: Tears For Fears, Simple Minds, Howard Jones, etc. I am primarily a vintage synthesizer owner and have several classic synths. BUT…the CP-70B is the only instrument I’ve ever owned that makes me giddy knowing it’s just down the hall from me. My wife gave me a Boss CE-1 for my birthday last week and I love it even more now.
Same here. I just bought a used one in awesome condition here in Ontario Canada on Dec 4th and had one string replaced and tuned by a local tech on the 22nd. I am in seventh heaven. I am also renting at the moment a Roland JC40 amp and OMG the sound is truly stellar. I used to own one back in Nov/88 but sadly had to sell it in '94 as it was just costing me too much for upkeep tuning wise...went the Clavinova way but still missed that sound being a huge Genesis/Tony Banks/Collins/Gabriel fan.
After years of digital pianos and plug ins I just couldn't take it anymore. Nothing was coming close. I used Prominy, 8Dio, Addictive Keys and Waves. They were all pretty good but somehow were truly lacking at the same time. The only piano that came close was the Nord Piano 4 and that was after many test drives. I sold that and now I hav a Yamaha CP88 and even that doesn't hold up to the Nord. Finally, I said screw it...and bought my adoptive child into my home once again. Could not be happier. This is the ONLY time where I can honestly say that analogue or the real thing beats out any digital replica...not to suggest that they are all bad because some do a better job than others but overall you just can't beat a real one....but that's just me.
I am soooo happy now. Now I have to decide whether to keep the Roland amp or go direct through my mixer using a Boss Waza Chorus. Great wife you hav there.....LOL
How are you running your CP?? Direct or through an amp?
Checkout my ultimate playlist for our beloved piano.
open.spotify.com/playlist/2FcjkKUFjwg9aOZ7cEnfy3?si=ed8060d7368a4f0c
I just bought one in nice shape two weeks ago and drove 7 hours to pick it up. Wonderful instrument!!!
Any idea what it would cost to have one restrung in tuned?
I am grateful to you for introducing me to this instrument. It sounds like the perfect hybrid between an acoustic piano and a Rhodes. What a beautiful sound. Thanks for your videos, they are always interesting.
I have a CP70B which I love, particularly for the key feel, and the real interactive harmonics when you use the sustain pedal. I use it mainly un-amped for quiet composition/classical-playing, but when I (rarely now) use it live for my solo shows, I pair it with a quite dark single PA powered box placed underneath behind the pedals for the most appealing tone.
This was excellent, thank you! I’ve been eyeing one ever since I first saw Keane use one when they first started out. A particular sound and iconic shape, love it.
The combo that I’ve seen and what drove me to get one is the CP70 and a Prophet 5. Hands down.
Those two and and DX7 are the Phil Collins mid-80s combination, right there.
It's a True Electric Piano. It's different from the Digital Piano because it's actually Electromechanical (like the Electric Guitar and Electric Violin) in that it has Strings amplified by pickups.
I actually grew up with the 88 note version of this. I don’t know if you mentioned it or not in this video, but in the later ones, there was the M version which had midi implementation as well. Growing up, my mom had the midi version with a DX7 on top of it. And so that was the set up that I took piano lessons on and learned how to play. And so the combo piano series has a special place in my heart not only the interesting tones, but that it was the piano I learned how to play on. And also, the DX seven has a special place in my heart for that reason as well.
damn wouldve loved to grow up with one of these and a dx7 to mess around on
THE sound of late 70's Genesis!
I had very small budget when buying a synth, and I chose Casio CT-S1 model.... specifically because it has the CP-70 sound preset. Along with a Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Mellotron presets. It's incredible.
I definitely want one of those. It's the only electric piano that sounds remotely like an acoustic piano and it has its own sound, so it's nostalgic too. WORTH it!!!
The Helpinstill Roadmaster sounds closer to an acoustic piano due to it having soundboard but nobody can take the design seriously.
I have one
I think Tony Banks probably used this, especially on the "Duke" album
He used it until Invisible Touch tour (1987). Phil Collins used it until Dance Into The Light tour (1997).
And, I think Tony got an MKS-20 to succeed it.
Thank you for making this video. I agree with you that the CP-70 is unique and in many ways I prefer it to many acoustic pianos especially baby grands.
I have always wanted to own one because of its beautiful sound and finally came accross one this summer and now I am the proud owner of a CP-70M. I purchased it from the original owner who bought it new in 1985.
Nothing comes close to playing on a real CP-70 and you will not fully understand this until you play one.
The M version is fantastic and if anything is the best version in my opinion. The MIDI is very transparent to the action and very reliable. The later versions improved the preamp and added balanced outputs compared to the original version. Yamaha also refined the action from the B version onward.
In owned an early CP-80 in the 80s and 90s. It sounded a little more like a real acoustic grand, i.e. not quite as ‘tinny‘, due to its larger body. The action was not only much better than the abysmal one of the Rhodes (had a Mk.I) but also better than on every upright piano and even many grands.
However: its price and weight … OMG! But as a studio instrument I‘d still prefer it to a Rhodes.
check out Shook - Continuum album, it's all CP-80 and it sounds amazing.
I think the problem is the CPs can often sit in this awkward space between e piano (Whirli and Rhodes) sounds and actual piano sounds. In an era of complex romplers and big sample libraries the CP's appeal can get lost because often times a regular e piano or a regular piano will just do the job better, leaving the CP to only use cases where it's very specific flavor is needed. They're definitely fun and interesting but I almost never find myself reaching for that sound instead of something else.
When are you going to do a review of the Kawai EP 308???. I just finished restoring one for myself
Underrated and underappreciated instruments by both acoustic piano purists and commercial musicians. IMHO this is one of the most distinct and original keyboard voices ever created. Its a mashup of an acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, and a Clavinet. #respect
Great video. I have LOVED the CP sound ever since listening to it on Peter Gabriel, Simple Minds, Tears for Fears albums. I love what I think of as its own guitarish/bellish sound. I don't have space for a real one, but I use Modartt Pianoteq and the "Electric Grand" sounds in my Kawai MP7se. (This sounds a little different, and it's presumably a sampled version of Kawai's own little-known electric grand from the 80s, the EP-308 etc). Since I've never played a real CP, I can't say how realistic they are, and I'm not a great player anyway, but I love them.
I've had my CP-80 for about 15 years. It resides in the living room and is played almost exclusively acoustically--it's great for piano playing with a real key feel that's quiet enough to not be unobtrusive when someone is working on a song. Tuning it (which should be done about 2x a year but I do it once a year, tops) is a challenge but on the plus side there are fewer strings than an acoustic piano. I was able to pick it up for a song - I had to arrange cross-country piano shipping which actually cost more than the price of the piano. If you see one that says "local pickup only" keep in mind that you can still arrange shipping for it yourself and have the piano movers pick it up. Local pick up listings tend to be the cheaper ones as they have a limited market, so take advantage of that if you want one.
Thanks for your great video.. I'm an amateur and own a cp 70b which I also use unamplified for classic studies.. Usually I have a little chain made by an mxr dyna comp, boss ce2w, boss rv6 and mxr phase 90, which I alternatively use.. Great instrument which I prefer to my nord piano 3 for the beautiful feeling in playing it. Love it forever 👍
It really has a voice of it's own, almost like a piano that cuts through like a guitar. A beautiful instrument, if not prohibitively expensive and weighty.
I had the CP80M, which is kinda an upright version of the CP70, with MIDI! I bought mine in the late 90s, yes its wooden keyboard is wonderful, the sound is very distinct BUT, I now have a Roland FP10, which feels just as good, but hooked up to Pianoteq gives me 100s of different piano flavours, including a very good CP70. Funny enough, the emulation sounds better to my ears, probably because its in tune lol! I might add the CPs weigh more than 100kg, lightweight for a piano, but heavy as lead to move around!
I was in a band called Alamo in the 80s our keyboard used this.
I have both a Yamaha CP80 and and a Mark II 73, both in perfect conditions, both with Stereo Tremolo (the Rhodes as a special Preamp by Retro-Flyer, a very good unit). In my opinion, there is no comparison between these instruments, as they sound completely different and must be played in different ways. Using one or another - for me - is a matter of choice according to the type of music I will be playing Live or Studio. The 80 is VERY difficult to carry around, the Rhodes is Difficult too (a little lighter). Both Piano requires some knowledge from the Owner and a GOOD tech close by. (for instance, I have to touch up the tuning on the CP myself, the Rhodes is more stable, but the voicing on a Rhodes is a b***!) . I also have a VERY good digital piano (a Nord ), which imitates the sound of both pianos but, believe me, in reality, it only comes close.
How lucky are you
I bought a used one in 1985, all I could do to carry it up the stairs at my apartment. More or less donated it to the church where I played. It was a challenge to keep it in tune. I broke lots of strings on it. I restrung the whole thing once with new strings from Yamaha. Then kept the old strings. With in a few years it was breaking strings again. Around 2000 I took it home, sometime later we cleaned house and sent it to the dump.
Agreed. The timbre and playing experience are significantly different. This is not a Rhodes replacement, and yes, people covet the Rhodes with greater ferocity.
Why do people compare a Rhodes to a CP70 B Rhodes aren’t grand pianos they don’t have strings so I don’t get the comparisons at all two different instruments !!!
Also the CP wasn’t specifically meant to sound like a real grand it was meant to bridge the gap that it could be amplified than being mic’d up
Love this video, really great gears as always and informations, thanks for taking the time to present this legendary instrument.
It sounds exactly like a True Piano being played with a mic because it's a True Piano.
CP70B player here, I would actually expect most people to hear demos such as this on youtube and think 'Meh'... it's not obvious why it's a great instrument. The evidence for me were the dozens of hit records that had caught my ear over the years which all turned out to be CP80/70 pianos... there was also a very famous sampled piano sound on the Emulators which was one of defining sounds of early house music which I believe was also a CP. Playing the instrument is very inspiring, you really feel the tone and that might not come across in a recording, it certainly leads me to compose something totally different, because you are enjoying the harmonics and interactions which you can only get from an acoustic instrument, and the harmonic is unique compared to other pianos because of the lower string count. As regards tuning, I had it professionally tuned once and the result was amazing, top tuner who only started out by measuring the middle key and then did everything else by ear/beating.. the results were amazing, subsequently it was re-tuned by another guy and the result was negative, taking away the mojo from earlier.. sadly I wasn't present to see why! So there's something to watch out for there.. As regards the on-board electronics I've read many years ago that the way to get a great studio sound is to simply bypass them completely... get the signal into your recording chain and then you can experiment at will. Of course with the Rhodes it's the effects that make so much of the sound character. In summary I think it's an instrument that can be played as a piano, but I like to think of it more like a an acoustic synthesizer, most suited to mid and top parts, a creative sound source to add a bit of acoustic mojo... the keyboard player's e-guitar
Piano techs, like guitar techs and amp techs vary drastically in quality, one might make your instrument play and sound amazing while another will make it worse than it was before. I've found more bad ones than good ones over the years
First electric piano I used was a Baldwin Upright student model. It had so-so action and mediocre amplified sound, as in lousy harmonic overtones. My first Yamaha piano was a CP30. They had fairly good action, were durable and reliable but for emulating an acoustic did not have a very realistic timbre. Over a span of 20 years I had three different CP70B's. The grand action versus the upright was an enormous improvement permitting excellent touch and response. Since I did not like the tone control parameters, I by-passed the active electronics and made passive connections
(similar to an electric guitar) and used graphic equalization to contour the sound. Additionally I used a Boss CE2 chorus on one of the sends. However, I did find that there was a much less dynamic range than with an acoustic piano. Tuning is much easier with the use of a decent Conn Strobotuner. Following these boards I acquired a CP60M. This is an upright that has the keyboard action being a shelf that folds up to be less tippy for transporting. Single good feature was having added sensors providing MIDI output. Drawbacks are that total gross weight is less but it is in a single case (not the separated action and harp of the CP70's and CP80's). Also, again, the upright action is less responsive. With pianos I have acquired since then: Korg SGproX (which has the keybed of the Yamaha Clavinova). The lighter action was a relief to my aging wrists. This remains a faster repeat-note action than my Yamaha M08, Roland RD300sx, Korg Kronos73, Kurzweil 2600xs and Roland FA-08.
My favorite keyboard
Hey, it’s Steve Porcaro!
The Yamaha CP70 was basically made for Charly García. The most enthusiastic can find his sound in Serú Girán's albums "La grease de las capitales", "Bicicleta" and "Peperina", then in his solo albums "Yendo de la cama al living", "Clics Modernos" and " "Piano Bar". In later albums its use would be increasingly limited to some specific songs. 🩷
CP60M, it’s an upright, single pice unit and the keyboard folds down into the unit. Also has midi. I have one but am thinking about jumping to the 70b.
As I wrote in the other video Alamo Music uploaded about the CP line, I wish I hadn’t turned loose of my CP70. I should’ve kept it, had the sustain system fixed and had (whatever was causing) the white noise in the outputs cleaned out.
I daydream about getting a 80 and having it MIDIfied. That has been done before, right? I know the CP70M and the CP60 both have it.
Beautiful piano! I’ve owned one for about 14 years now. I bypassed the electronics on mine and got rid of most of the tinny sound.
I have one.. baught it in 1979 the only one in Seychelles. .used it with my band and also for solo piano performing .. I also fitted a piano- hing on the top cover so it opens like a grand piano .. it's now in my personal home studio.. not for sale ....
I am selling my CP70 in excellent condition. Never been on the road.Make me an offer!
73 key
How much are you after Gerri?
Rhodes has tins as signal source. It does not need tuning. On the contrary, Yamaha has strings same as classic piano and needs tuning, specially if it is being used as touring instrument. That is the big advantage for Rhodes.
I had a CP70B. It weighed a f***ing ton. I never got to take it on the road as I was doing a one man show out of a small hatchback. The Rhodes looks a lot more portable and I don't think they were as expensive. However, if you ask me which sound I prefer nothing comes close to the CP70/80
Keane all over, sounds amazing
I always wanted a CP60 - the upright version.
Lot of high frequency resonance spiking at various times. Is that a servicing issue?
Genesis “Taking it all too Hard” is a great example
It has a wonderful sound.
Two different animals.. People tend to lean towards warmer tones which is why the love for Fender Rhodes is still so popular. And to add to that, the CP-70 is not the most portable piece of gear to carry around. I've personally used a Rhodes stage as well as suitcase for gigs in the past. The CP-70 isn't worth it in my personal and professional opinion.
I own two of them: from Arturia and from Omnisphere! 😂
CP-70 sounds amazing! 🌟
Ever since the Acoustic-Electric Grand came out , bakc in the day , I always preferred it over the Rhodes , but I still liked the Rhodes …
The ideal would have been to have both ..
Does it related to the stage pianos Yamaha cp73 that are sold today?
sounds more like an acoustic piano than any other Electric piano
Didn't U2 use one of these in their early days?
Yes!
Countless bands used it back then. You could spot a CP70/80 on every major stage.
No. Pianet.
U2 still use the CP-70 to this day
I definitely get a pink Floyd vibe from the cp70 more than a Rhodes so now I'm curious whether Rick Wright played one at all.
The wall live album :)
@@asoundlab right on! I can totally see that haha cheers!
@@jaywood5831 If you play Thin Ice from Roger Water Waters' The Wall Live In Berlin w/ Ute Lemper that's very close to the CP' 'sound" and sounds incredible on a real one with a Boss Chorus.
I always preferred the MIDI features
I always wondered why there isn't an electronic CP80. It could even be the same shape.
THANK YOU
I always thought the yamaha cp 70 sounded so awesome.
Anybody know what it would cost to have one of these restrung and tuned?
Rhodes is just a different sound. Yamaha CP sounds like an actual piano in some ways
I love mu Yamaha. First truly electric piano, used guitar pickups. great sound, easy to set up, and ships in its own body.
Mine is for sale. $1,800
A Rhodes sounds like a Rhodes. It spawned entire genres of music. A CP70/80 sounds like a slightly odd acoustic piano. 98% of the audience won't grasp the subtleties. Personally, I live the CP. Always have.
I’ve owned a CP-80 for 6 years now and will never part with it.
My honest opinion is this: I have many exceptional samples for the various suitcase pianos from my Kurzweil and Korg Oasys, however I’ve yet to hear a accurate sample of a CP-70/80 that doesn’t justice.
My PC3X has a decent-ish CP70 sound only in the middle C register of the keyboard and then it wanes. Nothing sounds like a CP-70/80 except for a real one, the Rhodes and wurlies are done remarkably well so I have no need for one of those
Back in the day one could get a CP for about a $1000
(Grand ) or so in some circumstances
MIC IT! MIC IT! MIC IT!
Cover the Moogfoogers and Moog Voyager
I’ve owned a CP-80 for 6 years now and will never part with it.
My honest opinion is this: I have many exceptional samples for the various suitcase pianos from my Kurzweil and Korg Oasys, however I’ve yet to hear a accurate sample of a CP-70/80 that does it justice.
My PC3X has a decent-ish CP70 sound only in the middle C register of the keyboard and then it wanes. Nothing sounds like a CP-70/80 except for a real one, the Rhodes and wurlies are done remarkably well so I have no need for one of those
Charly García used it a lot
I think people percieved the CP70 often more as a "cheap tour-replacement" for a grand piano than an instrument on its own, while the Rhodes was soundwise far enough from a real piano to be an instrument on its own.
Mold?
Well first off its a lot of money.. chances are it needs to be restrung if you buy it and tuned which is a nightmare. It needs constant maintenance. Use a plug in. There are some amazing ones that sound identical
I never loved the sound, tbh - the Rhodes felt like it was its own thing, while the CPs were clearly trying to sound like a piano but missing the mark. Despite the fact there are some songs where that sound is immediately identifiable, I can’t say my opinion has changed much - it’s always the same, and that’s just a shame. My 2c, that’s all.
Of course the Rhodes was a bit more portable & easier to transport then a CP electric grand …. But it was still a portable grand piano 🎹…, Didn’t need piano movers to have it moved for a live situations ….
🙏🏾🎹🎶
Rhodes and Wurlitzers are the most sought after because of their versatility - Yamaha CP is cool but they never were and they never will be at the same level of a Rhodes - poor comparison - because the Rhodes is a standard and honestly all I can think about listening to this demo is Chinese all yo can eat buffet music - that is a Yamaha 70 ep - whether Billy Joel or Phil Collins play it - sounds pretty - but not as funky, fly , lush and versatile as a Rhodes Suitcase ep - a true standard!
Charly garcia was here
Beautiful sound, but who wants to lug that around?
Bro, the thing is big af, no wonder everyone wanted a more portable instrument lmao
id rather play a rhodes... but id rather hear a CP
playing a Yamaha in a Kawai Tshirt 😂
More research before making video. Gave you my attention for 1/4 hour and you couldn’t even research/recite the actual weights? One is heavy and one is “lighter?” 2.5/5 stars...
you can really hear the mask
why wearing a mask while playing? Dunt infect the piano! Leave it and trust your nature mind!
lost me with the facemask
Dude, sit on your hands, please. You are constantly waiving them around and it really detracts from your presentation. Look at any self improvement guide for public speaking, and they will all stress that hand movement like that is a no-no. If you're sitting, then just rest them on your lap. Hope you don't take this as an offense. Good presentation, otherwise.
is hard to listen to you. make it more bearable and fluid without so much stuttering