Yamaha CP-30 Electric Piano

4.5 (5)

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This product is Vintage or Discontinued

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Page last updated May 28, 2026

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Description

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The Yamaha CP-30 Electric Piano was released in 1976. It is sturdy with its case-that-turns-into-legs and heavy at around 100 pounds. Despite its name, the CP-30 has relatively little to do with the Yamaha CP-70 and CP-80 series pianos as it has neither the mechanical keys nor the electro-mechanical harp and strings. The CP-30's sound is electrically generated with analog components (namely divide-down technology common in combo organs in the late 1960s and early 1970s). Most of the "piano" sounds are mellow like a Rhodes or a Wurlitzer, while the "harpsichord" sounds are reminiscent of a Clavinet.

The piano has two voices with four presets tabs (which can be mixed together), an adjustable tremolo effect on each voice (speed, intensity), and a pitch for each voice (chorus).

Videos

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Kiko Onate

Yamaha cp30

Kiko Onate

Yamaha CP30

epservice

Kris Nicholson Get A Vintage Yamaha CP-30 Electric Piano

KMNKeyboardVault

Yamaha CP-30 1977~78

George B.

Yamaha CP30 & B.BOX FX Pedals (Ringmod, Auto-Wah, ModDelay, Fuzz, etc...)

Knobs & Switches

Soundcheck: Yamaha CP-30 (Stereo)

Carps

Yamaha cp30

mat roberts

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha CP-30 Electric Piano.

Build quality

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The CP-30 is noted for its heavy weight, around 115-120 lbs, making it challenging to move frequently.
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The CP-30 is described as "bulletproof," with robust construction reminiscent of vintage combo organs, and it reportedly maintains functionality even after being dropped.
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Features and functionality

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The instrument's keybed is reportedly similar to that of the Yamaha CS-80, offering a high-quality tactile experience.
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The dual tuning knobs can be used to create a unique chorus-like sound by adjusting one slightly left and the other slightly right.
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The CP-30's sound is enhanced by "honeycomb hum," similar to vintage combo organs, providing a unique tonal character at higher volumes.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners suggest running the CP-30 through granular, reverb, and delay effects to enhance its sound, transforming it into a unique sonic tool.
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Use cases and applications

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The CP-30's sound lacks expressiveness without amplification; using a decent keyboard amp is recommended for improved output.
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For an authentic Rhodes feel and sound, connecting a Yamaha Reface CP to a MIDI controller is suggested, as it lacks full-size keys.
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User experience

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Despite its weight, the CP-30 is praised for its inspiring aesthetics and the quality of its wood finish, particularly when well-preserved.
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Some owners note the CP-30 has weighted keys that are lighter than a Rhodes but still provide a satisfying tactile feel.
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Comparisons

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The Yamaha CP-30 is not favored for Rhodes emulation; alternatives like the Reface CP are more convincing for that sound.
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The Roland RD-250, available for $100, is recommended as a MIDI controller, offering good value compared to its usual $300 price.
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Users compare the CP-30's lower end to a "Moog Minimoog" due to its phat, rich tones, while its upper register resembles classic combo organs.
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Software and compatibility

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Using piano apps like Colossus on an iPhone/iPad can enhance piano sounds, rivaling high-end brands like Nord.
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4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 5 Ratings

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chris_andrew

almost 6 years ago

Fantastic Older EP

Has a unique sound all its own nice action tunable

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Genres:

Rock Pop Orchestra

Artist usage

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Eddie Rayner

Singer, Keyboardist

Split Enz

Verified via Audioculture

"The end of the 1970s saw a huge rise in the development of synthesisers, and in making traditional instruments like pianos and organs more transportable and able to be amplified well. In the early days Split Enz always used to need an acoustic piano at every gig, which was a pain for us (amplification without feedback was always an issue) and promoters alike, but with the advent of Yamaha’s CP-70, that all changed. Synthesisers had also become polyphonic and memory space to store your own sounds was also a new development. The 'space capsule', as the guys called it, was seven or eight different keyboards, including a CP-80 Yamaha (full 88-note piano), a CS-80 and Prophet 5 (both early polysynths), a CP-30 electric piano, a Mellotron for 'real' string and choir sounds, a string synth, and a monophonic synth such as an EML 500 or Cat Octave … Oh, and I bought the first Korg Vocoder to arrive in New Zealand, which was fun! As you can imagine, transporting the sheer weight and volume of all this gear became prohibitive, so we replicated the setup in the US. Unsure what happened to all that gear when the band broke up!"

Gerald Woodruffe

Keyboardist

Black Sabbath

Verified via YouTube

At 4 minutes and 38 seconds into the YouTube documentary titled "The Secret Keyboardist of Robert Plant & Black Sabbath: Jezz Woodroffe" by JCM - Led Zeppelin Stories and more, all the keyboards used on Gerald Woodruffe's solo album "Opposite Directions" are shown, confirming that he used a Yamaha CP-30 Electric Piano.

Robert Irving III

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Verified via Photo

Robert Irving III is credited with the CP-30 in the liner notes to 'The Man With the Horn' by Miles Davis.

Mike Finnigan

Singer, Keyboardist

Verified via Photo

Mike Finnigan is seen with a Yamaha CP-30 during Dave Mason's appearance on the Midnight Special (note the distinctive thick legs and metal support bars).

0:16 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIbR_scyG70

Terry Watkinson

Singer, Keyboardist

Verified via Max Webster: High Class

Terry Watkinson uses the Yamaha CP-30 Electric Piano, as evidenced by its presence in the live album “Max Webster - Live Magnetic Air” from Anthem/Capitol Records, 1979. A live photo from 1978, showing Terry in his distinctive white lab coat, captures the Yamaha CP-30 positioned to his right. This information is confirmed by the Max Webster: High Class book by Canadian author, Bob Wegner and a post by Dennis Combes at https://www.facebook.com/groups/224019455329375/