Yamaha CP-70m - How much is too much?

[Eagertone]

I have a chance to pick up a Yamaha CP-70m, but don't want to overpay (or lowball the guy either). It's basically a cp70 or 70b with midi. Any ideas on a fair price or range?

[wadesweatt]

Eagertone!

[vfr]

Pricing on these is all over the map. It mainly depends on condition. Having MIDI is a BIG plus as most don't have MIDI (of course it is only MIDI out, not MIDI in...). I didn't see any pricing on Prepal.com. I've seen these go for a few hundred bucks if beat up to $1-2K if mint with MIDI.

As a keyboard player I would say the action of these pianos is good. As good or better than most controllers. The downside is the size, lack of portability, and competition from recent high-end electronic pianos and soft synths like synthogy ivory, which frankly sound better and have more audio/editing capabilities. Also, these electric pianos don't sound all that great when unamplified.

If you have the space, they look the part, but don't have that much of a signature sound compared with real acoustic grands or a Rhodes for example (yes I know the Fender Rhodes is a totally different animal ).

Helpinstill made a similar electric piano (in both grand and upright formats), and Yamaha also made a more compact upright model which i think was called CP60.

[Eagertone]

Yeah. I looked for the CP60 first, for size reasons. The biggest reason I liked it was for the action. I haven't felt anything I could use as a controller that even felt close to a real piano. I also liked the functionality of being able to just sit down really quick and mess around a bit, hoping that will encourage me to play more, sparking some creativity. I live in a condo, so the softer sound of it helps over just getting a "real" piano where my neighbors might be banging on the wall if I'm playing in the late night.

Everything was pretty minty on it, so I picked it up for $1500. Definitely a back breaker though, way more of a beast than my old Rhodes was, and I thought that was cumbersome! I just plan to park it in my office though, so I don't have to worry so much about lugging it around.

I've got some good samples that I'll use via the MIDI option if I actually track a traditional piano sound with it.

Lastly, it's got mojo, and mojo goes a long way.

[vfr]

Congrats on the CP70M. It sounds like a good one.

Too many of these CP pianos are trashed now. There's a CP70 on my local Craigslist for $600, but its missing the legs and sustain pedal...

I found the original pricing for these electric pianos when new:

CP60M 76 NOTE KEYBOARD $2695.00
CP70M 73 NOTE KEYBOARD $4695.00
CP80M 88 NOTE KEYBOARD $5695.00

The CP60M is no lightweight either as it listed at 220 pounds!

If I had the space (and didn't intend to move it), I'd want one also. It sounds like we're on the same page Eagertone with regards to the pros and cons.

I still have my old (silver metalflake) Rhodes also. It is the "suitcase" model which is very bulky. I can't believe I used to move that by myself for gigs! At least its better than the Hammond/Leslie combo...

[Eagertone]

Originally Posted by vfr

I still have my old (silver metalflake) Rhodes also. It is the "suitcase" model which is very bulky. I can't believe I used to move that by myself for gigs! At least its better than the Hammond/Leslie combo...

Haha. You and me both. I used to move my Rhodes by myself, so I thought the CP would be no problem. WRONG, haha.

Thanks for looking up those numbers!

[twincities]

i LOVE my cp70b, but it's easily the heaviest thing i own. with each half in a road case it took 3 people to move each piece even semi comfortably, and that was pushing it.

[funkseca]

Just picked up a mint cp80 for 950

Its a beautiful instrument

[misterlong]

this was in my new studio when I moved my gear in!
Happy Days. Needs a tune, but!
long