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I've had a Yamaha CP-70M for years (bought it new in the 1980s) and I still use it to drive my Yamaha Motif that has a high-quality Steinway D sample. Still love the keyboard action on the CP-70M (vs weighted controllers) but the wife says the CP-70M is ugly sitting in our Piano room (lol), and why don't I get a "real" grand piano to replace it.
I've heard that Yamaha sold MIDI enabled grand pianos (C-series?) in the 1980s and 1990s, but I can't find out what the model numbers are for those. Now, I am reading there are "silent" grand pianos available, which presumably have a MIDI-out interface so I can still drive my Motif that has the Steinway D sample that I love.
I would be in the market for a previously-owned such MIDI-enabled Yamaha Grand, and wondering what my options are. Don't want/need the Disklavier models, just something I can play as-is, or use the silent/MIDI-out feature to drive my Motif.
What are my options / what should I look for out in the marketplace for sale?
Not to paralyze you with options, but for a (relatively) small fee a Silent System can be installed in pretty much any piano.
Huh?
As in there’s no need to search for a piano which specifically has a silent system already installed... one could get a silent system installed on any (apparently) acoustic piano after purchase, which means that the OP could potentially get any acoustic piano he/she wants.
Not to paralyze you with options, but for a (relatively) small fee a Silent System can be installed in pretty much any piano.
Huh?
As in there’s no need to search for a piano which specifically has a silent system already installed... one could get a silent system installed on any (apparently) acoustic piano after purchase, which means that the OP could potentially get any acoustic piano he/she wants.
So as long as it has MIDI out, it’ll fit the bill.
Precisely, there are various options and they typically range in the 1000-1500GBP range. So that can quite expend the range of options you have if your primary demand is MIDI out and 'being a real piano'.
Thank you for the information. This is likely the path I will take (find / purchase the Yamaha Grand Piano I like, then have the silent system added to it). I am on the West Coast of the USA, so converting GBP to US dollars above suggests the modification can be done for US $1.5K - $2K, which is palatable. Forgive my ignorance, but just what are the silent kit options? I have seen reference to a PianoDisc system, but it appears to be more of a Player Piano / Disklavier add-on kit than just a silent conversion kit. Many thanks in advance again,
there are some nice looking digital pianos these days. Since you have been playing a non acoustic piano you may not have a real desire or need for one. Yamaha AvantGrand series, Yamaha Clavinova 695, Kawai NV10 are digital piano options I'd consider in your situation as well.
You have some exciting options to consider I think.
I don’t recommend Yamaha silent SN series purchases. The reason is that the main digital board and sensor circuit will be not available near year. I don’t recommend be fitted with a retrofit silent system to grand piano. Yamaha's silent system is special and the action structure is completely different from normal piano. (Double escapement action,hammer and key sensor) I recommend Yamaha's Avan Grand Series or Silent SG Series or higher.
-------------------------------------- Pro-TAC tuning and repair service. pro-tac.jpn.org/ --------------------------------------
there are some nice looking digital pianos these days. Since you have been playing a non acoustic piano you may not have a real desire or need for one. Yamaha AvantGrand series, Yamaha Clavinova 695, Kawai NV10 are digital piano options I'd consider in your situation as well.
You have some exciting options to consider I think.
Yes, there are some digitals that look like baby grand pianos too. You never know until you see/try them. That could be an option too!
Last edited by OscarRamsey; 01/15/2003:03 PM.
Learning to play. Consciously incompetent, which apparently is a good starting point.
I have a 1988 Yamaha C3E - the 6'1" Yamaha MIDI grand. its a splendid instrument. The optical midi actuators have no perceptible effect on the action as they don't touch anything in there. Here's a link to the only magazine review I can find on it. Its really a C3 with the sound dampener felt handle and the midi control built into the inside of the cover. Pretty cool.
Took awhile, but I (finally) ordered a new Yamaha CLP-795GP in mid-December of last year. Still waiting for it to get shipped/delivered. Has anyone else ordered one of these? If so, how long did it take for you to get it?
The CP70 and 80 are iconic instruments for sure, I don't see how it can look ugly. It has all the features you need, are you really going to pay thousands for looks?
I already sold the CP-70M. It was in fairly good shape, but was showing its age. I was going to buy a real (Yamaha) grand piano with a MIDI interface to replace it (always wanted one). Time will tell, but I think the CLP-795GP might be a good compromise (best of both worlds). I often played a 12 foot Bosendorfer in college (loved it!), but I'll never own one. Having such high-quality sampled pianos on tap with a keyboard action that replicates that of a real grand piano will be fun to experience. I'll report back on my impressions after I receive the CLP-795GP.
I'm wondering if anyone can please share your experience of CLP-795GP.
I'm wondering if in general people can give some advice on whether it any better than CLP-785. I know that it's essentially the same action and sound - but I wonder if the upwards firing speaker and cabinet make it sound any better, in addition to the looks, and wether the big price difference is worth it.
