CVP 300 Series Features & Tradeoffs

[Avi-J]

Hi Tapas,

The three 309s models (GP, PE & PM) all have a “natural wood” keyboard. The only differences (which I was able to observed so far) that exist between the GP and the other two are the cabinet style (grand piano) and the speaker system which faces upward. (as opposed to the not-so-attractive speaker box built under the cabinet of the other two)

Over time I visited many Yamaha websites, but recently discovered one that presents elegantly and comprehensively all of the CVP & CLP models going back a few years and also enables comparisons between the various models. The home page of that site is Yamaha’s keyboard home page and has vast information on many of Yamaha’s keyboard products (including IDC, software and more). This site seems to provide quite a few answers to recently posed questions by CVPUG members.

Here it is - enjoy!

http://music.yamaha.com/productView.html?groupId=18&hierarchyId=1

[ericho]

HI guys

On the Natural wood keys subject:
It seems to me that wood keys is a step backwards

Maby thats becourse I never had or ever wanted a acoustic piano

I love plastic keys, I know them, they know me :)

Wood keys .... do they bend alittle over time ???
What if you break one??? (plastic key costs 20$)
What if the kids spill some limonade over them??
And so on.

KInd regards

Eric

[dancaputi]

Heck, why don't we kill a few elephants and get some real ivory on those keys!

(only kidding - I like elephants)
;)

[Avi-J]

Hi Eric,

I think that the key action is still an extremely important element in the overall assessment of a digital piano. The digital piano, in addition to all of its special benefits, is also a stand-alone piano and many accomplished pianists, as well as less skilled ones would value an excellent key action. Let's remember that we're talking here about thousands of investment dollars. And it is possible to buy these days a decent second hand, top-brand acoustic grand piano with an excellent key action for less than the cost of the 309 GP (except who has the space and the budget to keep two pianos?).

I believe that many piano players would take the risk (?) of having the wooden keys and their complex mechanism. It’s still not so clear that plastic keys are more durable - as we're hearing reports of 209's broken keys which are made of plastic (non broken yet on my 209). And it's not just the question of the replacement (financial) costs - it's the trouble of replacing those keys and dealing with the manufacturer's warranty, repair people and most of all not being able to play for a while – and it would be the same for both plastic and wooden keys pianos. Yamaha, being the world leading acoustic piano manufacturer, certainly knows how to design high quality wooden keyboards.

But it's really up to the individual. If one wants plastic there are choices from the 301 through the 307. Yamaha certainly knows that an expansive digital piano such as the CVP-309 GP has to be first and most of all an outstanding piano with an excellent sound, as well as superb key action, in addition to all the electronic miracles. (Tapas, I'm going to keep you in suspense for a little bit longer but all I'll say to you now is that your observations of the key action are very interesting...)

Eric, in any event, have fun in Brazil!! Are you going there for business or pleasure? Perhaps you'll bring some samba MIDI songs back with you?

And Dan, thanks for your sense of humor as well as sharing your knowledge with all of us.

[Tapas]

Hi Avi,

Well, the suspense is killing me! But thats ok. Take your time in thoroughly evaluating the key action of the CVP-309GP. I found it had a special touch. No other digital piano in production can match this.

I would be very interested in your independent observation. You value the key action and you understand the difference of playing a real acoustic piano.

Tapas