Selling a friend: My CP-70

D and I are moving to California at the end of July. We've decided not to take a U-Haul across the country and instead sell all of our furniture and take only what we can fit in my VW Golf. It's going to be tight and we're unloading a lot of gear. 

To be honest it's nice to have the opportunity to go through all the musical instruments I've acquired over the years and prioritize. I won't miss my Behringer mixer, or my Epiphone Valve Jr. But then there are some instruments I will miss terribly. Like my Yamaha CP-70.

My Yamaha CP-70. Still in my studio... for now.

I first heard a CP-70 playing a show on April 4th 2005 at the Iron Post in Urbana Champaign. We shared the stage with an excellent band called "The Eleanors." We had brought my Wurlitzer 200a and they had brought the CP-70. It was a monster, and sounded absolutely gorgeous. It sounded like a cross between an electric piano and a baby grand piano. Which is exactly what it is. The CP-70 is a "portable" baby grand that disassembles into two pieces. It has electric pickups under each string and no soundboard as it is meant to be played electrically. It's a very unique instrument. We asked the Eleanors if we could play their monstrous keyboard during the show and they graciously agreed. I fell in love and began a 3 year off and on search for one.

Ronnie (on the right) plays a CP-70. April 4th, 2005.

It was difficult to find one locally. I regularly searched ebay and craigslist, and one day in 2008 I saw one listed at a reasonable price. I called the seller and picked it up that day. I had it tuned by a professional tuner about a week later. It took up most of our front room. The instrument is very very heavy. Each of the two pieces weigh about 150 lbs. I can't imagine gigging with this instrument. I'm amazed the Eleanors were able to do it. 

I've used the CP-70 on a few recordings. Like the ones below. But I mostly use it to write. It's the key board I go to first when working out chords or melodies. The action is very pleasant to the touch and the tone is nice and the volume is soft when it's not amplified. It's the perfect piano for apartment dwellers.

I love the tremolo, but rarely used it.

Yes Philadelphia. Acoustic CP-70 recorded haphazardly with a single SM57 in 2008.

We should self unite. Acoustic CP-70 recorded haphazardly with a single SM57 in 2008.

Love in Philadelphia. Electric CP-70 recorded direct into a the 1/8" input of my PC in 2008.

The Invitation. Electric CP-70 recorded direct into the 1/8" input of my PC in 2008.

The lullaby. Plucked CP-70 recorded with an SM-57.


I listed the piano on craigslist about 2 weeks ago and I've made an appointment to sell the instrument. I will miss it. It was a great piece of gear, and it was a lot of fun to own. I don't think I'll buy another when I get out to California. It's time for something else. Onward and upward!