Yamaha Cp-70 complete review (Part 1)

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

It's actually an Electric Baby Grand Piano. It has the same action as a Traditional Piano but the strings (which are akin to Standard Piano Strings) are amplified by Pickups like an Electric Guitar. They're actually Piezo Pickups so it makes the instrument sound more like a true Amplified Piano.

[@Aquatarkus96]

Reminds me instantly of Tony Banks and Elton John. Love this instrument on tracks like Heathaze and Turn it On Again

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The Helpinstill company that makes those Piano Pickups got that inspiration from the Yamaha CP-70 & CP-80 Electric Baby Grand Pianos. The sound that you'd get out of an Acoustic Piano fitted w/ Helpinstill Pickups is akin to a CP-80 but more refined cause you now have a Soundboard & longer Bass Strings.

[@TheGamingEffect100]

First time I heard it was on Elton John’s USSR concert in 1979. I just love the sounds of the lower keys

[@frankmarsh1159]

I think this is the first time I ever heard it. January 1978: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHSzn6qJe7NjkK8

[@vulc1]

That concert was in 1979 wasn't it

[@carlbowles1808]

I see this instrument often in vintage synth videos. Thank you for featuring this legacy instrument.

[@TheLambLive]

3:00 - It even says 'OUT'... Why are you calling them inputs ?!

[@maisonmallninja]

I had to just sign in on another computer so I could mention this. "Blue's Clue's Piano Reviews"

[@antonisatwork]

lol exactly, makes no sense

[@mattekudasai8249]

@paul vorderwinkler I'm pretty sure he's talking about the wires for the pickups

[@scottptolomey3498]

Waste of oxygen this video !!!!

[@midimax1279]

You sold me on this piano. Should be nice for my apartment, loud enough to hear but quiet enough to keep from bothering anybody. I can't wait to get my own.

[@motivational-keynote-speaker]

This is perfect for apartment. Used it in apartment when I was a kid - 20 yrs old and didn't bother anyone. I'm 54 yrs old now and still have it. Now I don't care who I bother. lol. Works well for all age ranges - and personalities.

[@kryptoniterazor]

Review starts at 5:25 for anyone still waiting to hear the piano

[@Yamil97]

Sounds just like Charly García...

[@lennon2420]

jajaja see

[@jimmyfigueras4476]

Thank you for introducing vulfpeck to me, i just listened to tee time and it's awesome! I love it when old instruments are used to create contempirary music.

[@AaronFitzgerald]

Yes! Join the lowvolume funk movement

[@samripley791]

Bruh, Vulfpeck is low key probably the best band of the last 10 years for me

[@peterproxventuta6804]

Aguante Charly

[@theo7196]

SIIIIIIIIIIII SNM

[@Reversibleband]

I believe Prince used one in the ‘Purple Rain’ film. My father bought one from a pawn shop about 1987/1988 but my stepmother ended up selling it to a church around 1995. I never learned how to play properly but wish I still had it. It even had two road cases…and it definitely weighed a million pounds!

[@jaggass]

The Yamaha CP-70 was an evolution of Helpinstill that made magnetic pick up's for acoustic piano's so it was easier to amp and eliminate feedback.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The Helpinstill Piano Pickups make your Piano sound like the CP-80 but more refined due to the addition of a Soundboard & the Bass Strings now at standard Length.

[@jaggass]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 It's why i prefer the sound of Helpinstill pick ups.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@jaggass Either way those Pickups are great for recreating that 80s sound & they're great for recording a Standard Piano w/o having to use those Bulky Mics.

[@jaggass]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 And you can control the sound of them too. Sadly got no room for a grand as they work best on them but i'd easily have an upright or the Helpinstill Roadmaster.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@jaggass Wait a minute:helpinstill.com/upright-piano-pickups.html they have versions that work best on an Upright Piano so try those

[@calinguga]

when i first heard about the rhodes when i was a kid, as an "electric piano", i thought it was exactly this. then i found out about tines and reeds, and about stringed clavs, and didn't think about it anymore. i can't believe it took me this long to finally research this "missing link" kind of instrument, and it turns out that first, i had already heard it all over the place without paying attention, and second, it sounds better to my ears than a rhodes or a wurli. nice.

[@motivational-keynote-speaker]

Saw Howard Jones use this in concert -- sometime around 1984. That's what sold me.

[@joshnme]

Im about to tune one for the first time. (yes, I tune) Curious to how many players don't know that they do need a tuning, especially if its on the road a lot.

[@CorvetteCoonass]

One of these through a Roland JC-120 is a sound like no other!

[@isaacschoute4643]

That's what I do!

[@armstronglance]

Wow! The polyverse widener really improved the stereo image! Bought mine new for $2500 in 1978.

[@billyjackoff]

I wish these things weren't prohibitively expensive and unwieldy, because it's such a unique sound that certain VSTs haven't really been able to capture.

[@FutureAbe]

still sounds amazing despite how beat up and old it is.. That's incredible

[@anaclarafleitas]

bill from snarky puppy using it in Empire Central, specially on Cliroy's solo, that cp70 is pure magic, i wish i could afford that damn thing

[@g43s]

i found out about this piano on a Coldplay concert, i thoght it was some kind of keyboard/case situatio haha, like a keyboard that was its own case too, it really catch my attention.

[@Christian-lt9qr]

Great video my dude. Would love to see if you can figure out how to mimic the keyboard sound from New Years Day by U2.

[@scottptolomey3498]

Chorus and Delay and that’s it

[@ExtremelyOnlineGuy]

Prince used a cp80 for purple rain and 1999 and controversy tours I believe. And even after that to some extent. Had his draped in purple velvet for a while. At some point he started using kawais live though. I could be wrong but he always gravitated back towards Yamaha. Even his synths were dx7 until he swapped to Roland d50s for lovesexy then went back to yamahas later.

[@ivanaguilera6574]

este teclado se debería llamar Charly García

[@Veranek]

O también "The Serú".

[@matteoprog2298]

It reminds me the sounds of Tony Banks of Genesis. His first solo album had this sound

[@RUGBYmusic]

I’’ve really been getting into Genesis lately. Tony has so many cool ideas as a song writer.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The CP-80 is the full 88 Keys version.

[@jonthepiano]

Just about to visit one of these to tune it !!

[@shookstylez]

Recommended listening: Shook - Continuum album for the best CP70 sound!

[@lundsweden]

Such a classic piano! The funny sound of the lower strings comes from them being shorter than a grand, in order to fit in a baby grand form factor. However, this is a big part of its loveable sonic character. I had a CP60m, which is similar and sounds practically identical. But the CP60m is in an upright form, which is handy for saving space. I actually didn’t like the sound of these when I had one, I felt they sounded very dry through the pickups. But now years later when we have massive piano sample instruments (and Pianoteq), I find myself drawn back to this sound. The instrument definitely has soul and sounds great in pop/rock and jazz.

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

After all, this was new technology for 1978.

[@timwilderspin]

I'd often wondered why those lower notes sounded so particular to this instrument. I actually love that sound, as often used by Billy Currie of Ultravox.

[@lundsweden]

@@timwilderspin I might add that part of the sound also comes from having no soundboard. CP60m features solid wood construction on the top, sides and bottom covered in tolex. The CP60m has front and rear panels are made out of thin plastic. The keyboard detaches easily in the CP70, so you end up with more manageable 2 x 60kg "suitcases" instead of one big 100kg lump of the CP60m. Both are very similar though in sound and construction, the CP60m has the advantage of taking up less space, but CP70 is more roadworthy. One nice feature on the CP60m is that the keyboard folds down into the body for transportation, and the sustain pedal can be pushed in. The quality of these instruments is very high, full wooden keyboard action with plastic key tops, feels fantastic! MIDI is a very nice bonus too!

[@issamchabaa45]

XLR s are labeled “ OUT” . They are OUTPUT xlrs

[@chazinko]

Great video and playing man - thank you!

[@ronansleep]

Not easy to tune well. But real piano action, can practice without juice, and easier to move than a full yamaha grand. You missed showing how it splits into two flight ready boxes for the road.

[@sonomama82]

That two amps part was awesome. Brain candy 🍭

[@balladofthemightyi]

Hey, this reminds of the piano still used by Tim Rice-Oxley of the legendary Keane..

[@lefthandedspanner]

also used by Vangelis, Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze in the early 80s

[@enissamiri7989]

Simple Minds also used it!

[@scottptolomey3498]

George Duke,Phil Collins,Herbie Hancock,Billy Joel,Peter Gabriel,Kate Bush,Rick Wakeman,Benny Andersson,Genesis,The Edge,Boomtown Rats,Sigur Ros,Keane,Coldplay,Hall & Oates,Foreigner,Journey,Rolling Stones,Cherry Ghost,Queen,ELO,Elton John,Spandau Ballet,Fiction Factory,Status Quo,Simple Minds,The Buggles,Ph D, Lots of artists have used these pianos

[@sK3LeTvM1]

The XLR's are outputs for the signal, no inputs as you say...

[@ambulance_boy3834]

thank you for this! I found one but sadly it dosent have legs... IDK if I should get it but I really do love these!

[@RUGBYmusic]

Ambulance_Boy no legs?! I wonder if you could score some on ebay?

[@ambulance_boy3834]

@@RUGBYmusic Thank you so much for getting back to me! I have looked on eBay and reverb and also searched web forems and they say they are near impossible to find. There are remakes of the legs but I'm not paying $300 and above for the legs and then the legs braces another $50. Never know I might play it on the floor like the Charlie Brown cartoon lol.

[@RUGBYmusic]

Ambulance_Boy haha i wonder if you could get 2 super heavy duty keyboard stands and just use those...

[@ambulance_boy3834]

@@RUGBYmusic That's what I was thinking! I just wasn't sure because I heard the piano harp can warp without the right support. But let's see if it's good and then I might get it. Thank you for your help!

[@RUGBYmusic]

Ambulance_Boy The harp would not be supported by the stands. I think you could fit two stands underneath the keyboard assembly no problem. Check out my part two video you’ll see what I mean.

[@ederst9759]

How about Jethro Tull and the band 'UK', T Lavitz of the Dregs, used CP 70 (and CP 80) on tons of albums.

[@keanestar07]

And Keane

[@fritsvanzanten3573]

Well, I think you fooled us by plugging in cable 'just to see'. I'd google for a manual first (I did) to see what you plug into.

[@Dolle_Man]

07:48, ahh man this band Vulfpack is awesome! Thank you for the tip! You play amazing, I was looking for a Cp-70 one is for sale for 5000€ To much for my budget, I getting a Crumar Seven, witch has also a CP-70 "build in" I don't understand why you got so many dislikes 478/79 are so many people jealous? or what? *Edit I forgot to like so 479/79 now!

[@RUGBYmusic]

Thanks for the kind words and the like! Crumar Seven sounds sick!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

4:24 Woah those Strings are old & rusty when I noticed, they'll need to be replaced.

[@scottptolomey3498]

Why has the PSU been moved from it’s original position and put into the front of the harp it’s 73 pickups

[@GospelMusicians]

Hey man...How can I reach you for a potential project?

[@RUGBYmusic]

Gospel Musicians hit you back on email! Sorry I sold mine...

[@pkranz937]

I don't think Jonathan Caine used the CP70 on tour with Journey, at least not on the Frontiers tour. They had a full baby grand. Daryl Hall used the CP70 and Prophet 5 through their heyday, late 70's to mid 80's.

[@RUGBYmusic]

P Kranz Ya you are right there are a ton of bands that used it back in day!

[@ClassicTVMan1981X]

Daryl also used the more portable CP30, which was similar to a Wurlitzer or Rhodes.

[@mathiasmustillo]

I just got one too!

[@juanantonio192]

Keane use it a lot

[@Mark_Williams300]

So not the town in Warwickshire then?

[@alekzamonski1179]

Reminds me of like an acoustic electric guitar version of a piano. Does a pretty good job of sounding like a piano but still has just that little bit of extra bite you’d find in like a Rhodes or other electric pianos

[@lovelyjayfm]

Do a bohemian rhapsody piano cover live aid style

[@Bloodgod40]

Do you need to plug this piano into a guitar amp then to use it? You would think it could mount its own amp on-board. It's certainly big enough.

[@ressuredi5096]

I wouldnt ruin the sound by pluggin it into a guitar amp. A stereo amp like jazz chorus would probably sound decent. To get the most out of it i'd just use two good speakers. Studio monitors etc.

[@mario486waluigi2]

You forgot to mention Billy Joel. who also used this piano.

[@TAILORmoves]

polyverse wide - what a damned hot thing!!!!!!!!!!!

[@mtthwskdmr2]

You arent entirely correct about this being the best piano for the 70s and 80s. Elton John and Queen both used an item called the Helpinstill Pickup, which is still being manufactured today. Those used the waves from the strings, so there was guaranteed no feedback on them. Jackson Browne also used the helpinstill quite a bit. Elton used this on his 1979 and 1982 tours, but even then he still had his normal acoustic.

[@RUGBYmusic]

Skidmark Gaming Interesting. I’m going to find out more about that!

[@tyler_]

Awesome video!! Did you have to find a power cable for yours? Can't find one anywhere.

[@RUGBYmusic]

Tyler Frey hey sorry no idea maybe ebay?

[@eddievhfan1984]

If you go to your local musical instruments/cabling concern, they should be able to wire you up a new one. According the wiring diagram in the user's manual, the piano needs a 16.5V DC input from the AC-to-DC power adapter, 2.5W power consumption, and 2-pin XLR connectors aren't super-hard to find.

[@Krisisawake]

I always complain when I have to change my guitar strings. Thanks God I haven't a piano hahaha. Great video BTW.

[@keanestar07]

This is the piano Keane use

[@balladofthemightyi]

Tim's had his since the beginning :)

[@keanestar07]

@@balladofthemightyi I remember Tim broke a piano string when I went to see Keane live.

[@balladofthemightyi]

@@keanestar07 blimey, must've been an intense performance! Thanks for sharing :)

[@keanestar07]

@@balladofthemightyi I am a Keane fan

[@marknorris3769]

does it have onboard speakers >

[@masive1498]

Billy Joel threw one over on stage on Live in Leningrad.

[@synthdude7664]

Hey there do you have IG? I recently got a CP70 and wanted to ask you questions about the lower notes and it’s tuning

[@RUGBYmusic]

I do but I never use it. Tuning is the same as a real piano. Watch some videos on piano tuning! Warning: piano tuning is very complicated if you want it to be equal temperament. Hiring a piano tuner is always an option!

[@synthdude7664]

@@RUGBYmusic agreed ! I actually hired someone to tune it for me, but I’ve noticed after having it tuned 3 times that no matter what the lowest octave is out of tune, and was wondering if you could tell me more information about when you restrung yours, how much that affected your lowest end strings tuning ?

[@RUGBYmusic]

@@synthdude7664 Gotcha. I never restrung mine. Original strings. The low notes never sounded very nice on mine considering the single string per note down there sorry wish I could be more of a help perhaps try a different piano tuner? Or your could get a piano key and mess with those low ones till you like it.

[@_pmaxwellward]

What is the song you are playing at 2:08? It sounds so familiar

[@RUGBYmusic]

p maxwellward Hey! That’s an new original I’ve been working for my band Rugby.

[@_pmaxwellward]

cool! sounds like it could be part of a lost Beatles song or an old Charlie Brown animated special

[@RUGBYmusic]

p maxwellward Thanks! I love Vince Guaraldi and the Beatles.

[@akituazon5784]

Sounds a bit like the lick from Safety Dance song.

[@thomasricketts9498]

p maxwellward sounds similar to Tommy Emmanuel’s classical gas!

[@motivational-keynote-speaker]

I have this same piano. Normally use it unplugged because I like it quite. When I do plug it in, I get a pretty bad hiss. Anyone know what I could do to get rid of the hiss?

[@ah-ray]

what's up with your power socket? Why has it been moved? Mine has it over the hole in yours :)

[@Suunder]

i cant decide between this and a rhodes

[@RUGBYmusic]

Get a Rhodes my dude it’s much more useful, practical, smaller and can be used in more styles

[@a_pedro2612]

10:15 what is this. What chord progression or song is this

[@RUGBYmusic]

@@a_pedro2612 hello! I think that bit is improvised. It probably based losely on some progression I wrote at some point… the plinky part for sure is just improvised.

[@a_pedro2612]

@@RUGBYmusic You´re a genius then. Master vistuoso. Subscribing rn.

[@Spookspek]

Now put distortion on it.

[@jellojamcwg]

Hi I have one of these pianos and I am trying to understand how to hook it up to get sound out of it. If you can help I’d appreciate it!

[@RUGBYmusic]

Hello. Hook up to what?

[@jellojamcwg]

@@RUGBYmusic hi Rugby thanks for the response. So I have tried to plug it directly into a guitar amp with just a normal instrument cable. And I’ve tried to plug an xlr cable with a balanced instrument input into a guitar amp and that didn’t work. My next best guess is to plug two xlr cables into a mixer and into an amp. Do you think it’s broken or do you think the mixer idea will work? Thank you for your time!

[@RUGBYmusic]

@@jellojamcwg If it didn’t work on the guitar amp it probably won’t work on the mixer either. I would still give it a try though. The electronics on mine didn’t work either. I actually ended up bypassing them and connecting the pickup cable directly to the 1/4” output kinda like how a guitar works. They are pretty old so it’s no surprise you are having a electronics problems. I would see if there is a local tech who could take look at it if the mixer does not work.

[@jellojamcwg]

@@RUGBYmusicThanks for taking the time to respond and thanks for the tip!

[@gregdeligne2689]

Who would have thought that a Darth Maul Taco Bell drinking cup would own a Yamaha CP70.

[@bluegillhill2745]

the instrument has to be tuned dude.... would you buy a guitar and play it without tuning?

[@RUGBYmusic]

Hello. Yes it is out a little in the video. It used to take me a couple of days to tune all the strings. Not much fun so i would let go between recordings.

[@ejshelby5460]

Yep, Elton john used it famously

[@dibaldgyfm9933]

Did you try to tune the instrument?

[@RUGBYmusic]

Dibald Gyfm yes but it’s very difficult and would take me many days to complete. Hire a proper piano tuner!

[@Hexspa]

Weird also. Why'd you send me to that Tee Time video. Now I'm warped.

[@SiloSoundStudios]

XLR Outputs.... Not inputs 😀

[@chrisrdgymnastics]

Hi new Fam here

[@miguelyudelevich6647]

Nice! I bought a CP70b from 1979 probably, it’s in really good condition considering it was brought from another country by the previous owner. However, when I play it unplugged (or turned off if you prefer), I hear some kind of buzz coming from the top lid. And when I turn it on and play through a speaker, pickups take the sound from the sustain pedal and even from the key/hammers, which interferes somehow with the sound. Have you have experienced something similar? Could you fix it? Has to be with the fact that strings are not tuned yet? Any feedback would be really appreciated. Thanks

[@RUGBYmusic]

Miguel Yudelevich Hello! Is it an electrical buzz or a mechanical buzz?

[@miguelyudelevich6647]

It’s definitely mechanical, as if there was something loose. However, I checked everything and all seems right.

[@miguelyudelevich6647]

UPDATE: I removed the top lid and the buzz completely disappeared. Now, I must figure out what exactly is causing that noise.

[@RUGBYmusic]

Miguel Yudelevich my lid buzzes sometimes. Maybe try tightening all the lid screws?

[@miguelyudelevich6647]

RUGBY music Thanks, I did it already, the buzz is still there.

[@lucianoflores1907]

Pretty maaan

[@sazieboy64]

Freekin'!

[@prodmus1]

XLR INPUTS????? you try to say XLR OUPUTS!!!

[@thecatboss123]

what's the song at 5:50 :O ?

[@RUGBYmusic]

Hello Squirrel Boss! It's the song Scrilla Mountain from my band Rugby's album Worldly Wise. You can find it on all the streaming services. hyperurl.co/38t0dz

[@teuteulevrai]

was so scary @8:42

[@bricago2302]

More informative with the sound off.

[@bradjonesband1818]

I’m here because of Frank Zappa lol