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Hohner Cembalet

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Page last updated Nov 13, 2025

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Description

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The Cembalet is a type of electro-mechanical piano built by the Hohner company of Trossingen, West Germany from the late-1950s to the late 1960s, and designed by Ernst Zacharias. It was a reed-based electric piano intended for home use, and the first keyboard produced by Hohner as a piano-like instrument rather than an instrument having the sustained note of an organ. It was adopted by popular musicians for recording and performance in the early 1960s because it was portability and easy to amplify electronically.

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autarkus11

Hohner Cembalet I (predecessor to clavinet and pianet)

autarkus11

Ambleside on Hohner Cembalet I

PreparedRhodes

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Hohner Cembalet.

Setup and maintenance

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Corroded fuse and disintegrated key pads are common issues that require attention to restore operability and aesthetic appeal.
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Comparisons

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The Hohner Cembalet produces a unique electric piano sound similar to early The Stranglers albums, offering an alternative to more common Rhodes or Wurlitzer sounds.
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Owners compare the aesthetics of the Cembalet to the Hohner Pianet N and L, emphasizing its stylish mid-century modern design.
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User experience

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Owners report that Cembalet requires significant upkeep, similar to the maintenance demands of a Hohner Pianet, but provides a rewarding playing experience once restored.
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Enthusiasts express a strong desire for the Cembalet due to its unique vintage appeal, despite potential playability limitations.
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Features and functionality

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The Hohner Cembalet lacks touch sensitivity and a sustain pedal, with a mechanism similar to a harpsichord.
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Stephen Stills

Guitarist, Singer

Buffalo Springfield

Verified via Photo

In this photo from a CSNY rehearsal, Stills can be seen playing a Hammond B3 with a Hohner Cembalet on top. This can be identified as a Cembalet because the lowest note is a C. (Hohner Pianets start on F.)

John Cale

Singer, Guitarist

The Velvet Underground

Verified via Discogs

John Cale is credited with playing a Cembalet in the liner notes of his album Stainless Gamelan: Inside The Dream Syndicate Volume III.

John Mayall

Guitarist, Singer

John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers

Verified via Discogs

Mayall is credited with playing a Cembalet on the album John Mayall Plays John Mayall.

Dave Greenfield

Keyboardist

The Stranglers

Verified via YouTube

Dave Greenfield used a Hohner Cembalet for those piano sounds from Rattus through to Black & White album. Eventually he had problems sourcing the rubber pluckers so the Cembalet was replaced with a Yamaha Cp30 Piano.

Richard Manuel

Singer, Drummer

The Band

Verified via Photo

While Manuel usually played a Hohner Pianet N with The Band, he appears to have played a Hohner Cembalet N at the legendary Last Waltz performance. This photo from before the concert shows a Cembalet on the right (the keys on a Cembalet range from C to C, while the keys on a Pianet range from F to F).

Ian McLagan

Keyboardist

Faces

Verified via RONNIE LANE

Ian McLagan is confirmed to have used the Hohner Cembalet in the early 1960s, as documented on Ronnie Lane's website, which states: "McLagan first started playing in bands in the early 1960s, initially using the Hohner Cembalet before switching to the Hammond organ and Wurlitzer electric piano, as well as occasionally playing guitar."

Mike Lang

Keyboardist, Composer

The Don Ellis Orchestra