All,
Well, after waiting a while, I have found a very abused Yamaha CP-80 electric piano for, what I believe to be, a fair price.
The list of electrical, mechanical, and cosmetic repairs include:
- Electronics need to be fixed (the volume, EQ, and tremelo do not work)
- Needs official Yamaha sustain pedal rod (currently using a wooden dowel)
- Tolex needs to be replaced (the current tolex is in very poor condition)
- Case hardware needs to be refinished/replaced (logo, handles, latches, dish pans, and corners are rusted, painted over, or missing paint)
A daunting list, yes, but do-able. I will post pictures when I get it, and also keep folks informed of the progress I make on it.
I have found a few Yamaha CP-70/80 support pages on the internet, but find them lacking overall. I hope to add to the online resources for this model of piano by writing about my repair and restoration experiences (including pictures).
Some of the topics I hope to write about include:
- Cleaning of the electronics.
- Replacement of the case hardware (including non-yamaha replacement part options).
- Experience with Yamaha support for these products, and any information regarding available parts, etc.
- Removal, and cleaning, of the “guts” of both sections (necessary to get the cases re-tolexed).
- Useful tips from the Yamaha Service Manual.
- Good companies for restoration and repair of these pianos (Mojo Music Supply (cases), Bull CIty Electronics, Mapes Musical Supply (strings), piano parts, etc)
Thanks for checking in!
What is the reasonable price? I found a CP-80 in Freehold New Jersey in 1992 that was used for touring. A little beat up on the outside and GORGEOUS in the inside- works perfectly: $1200.00.
My contact there though I haven’t spoken to him in 5+ years is a piano tuner named Bob Rice. He freelanced through FREEHOLD MUSIC STORE: 732-462-4730. The guy worked magic with mine and may be able to find parts. I don’t know where you’re located, but it’s worth a try.
Good luck!
I’m located in Nashville. Believe it or not, the price was $150.00. There was one guy ahead of me and he beat me to it. Still looking…thanks for the info!
I`m proud to own one since two days that seems at a first glance in really perfect condition, but of course it was not cheap. 2310 EUR via ebay.
Where can I get a manual(englisch or german)?
Helmut,
Trier, Germany.
Hi – I have “inherited” a Yamaha Electroni Grand CP 70B that’s in perfect condition. It’s been sitting unused in my mother-in-laws living room for years. Her ex husband was a member of the band Question Mark and Mysterions (#1 hit 96 tears) and used this piano on tour in the 80s. It’s a great piece and I almost gave it to the Salvation Army. Since I noticed you were working on a newer model I thought you might have some ideas of how I could sell this thing? Please respond to my email directly:
meg.m.roberts@sbcglobal.net
I bought my CP80 in 1981, and I still have it. It still works perfectly, although it is quite beat up on the outside from all the gigging I used it on. At the present time, I am interested in restoring it, but I also have some problems on the inside in that I need strings. I noticed that you mentioned Mapes Musical Supply and Bull City Electronics and I will try them, but my biggest worry right now is the pin block, which doesn’t seem to be holding tuning well at this time. I am hoping there is a solution for this as well. I would appreciate any information you can give on this. Thanks!
I purchased a CP-80B in 1982. I gigged with it all over the midwest, mainly Chicago. $4,400.00 and a $1,800.00 Star Flight Case. Ended up selling it on consignment at D.J.’s in Cicero, IL for $1,800. Ouch. 5 years ago I knew I had to have one for my home studio. Best piano I ever played. After looking for 1 1/2 years, I found one that had been in an apartment as furniture. Pristine. $1,500.00 later I had it being packaged and shipped up to Portland, OR. Yes, they are hard to find . . but look daily any place you can think of online. It’s more than worth the trouble and the wait!!! Good Luck!
I’ve just resurrected my cp80 after many years sitting in my shed and just last night it made its live return (Thunderbox Carbunkle And The Lonely Cosmonauts at the Wheatsheaf International Hotel, Adelaide Sth Australia) I’d forgotten what a mighty instrument it is. Huge bottom end and that beautiful sustain. I hadn’t forgotten what a serious lug it is to get it to the gig which is why I took up the accordion. I bought it new C1980 and paid $6.000 Australian. Have tried to sell it occasionaly but having got the old girl up and running will never part with it. I feel the action is a little sloppy and I’ve been running on a 15v adapter instead of the unusual 24v as the original adapter was stolen from a gig about 20 years ago and 15v was the highest volatage I could find. I’ve been playing a Roland RD300 for many years which is servicable but nowhere nearly as much fun as the Yamaha. The pots were understandably a little dusty but a quick spray soon fixed that. The tuning was a little flat overall but it’s not that much of a hassle to tune it yourself (less strings than an upright) and gets easier with practice. I’ve busted 2 strings in its lifetime and replaced them with #14 guage piano wire. Different story with the bass strings though. A wonderful pioneering instrument and deserves the same accolades as the Rhodes and the Werlitzer but give me the Yamaha anyday. Cheers.
Hi Phil
Are you selling yamaha cp80?
I am interesting to get one for my daughter
please give me a call or message when you are free
0432 531 977
Thank you
Han