Pricing and availability
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Store
Reviews
Price
Average Price: $2,893
High-end/Boutique
$400
$2001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Yamaha YC88 88-key Stage Keyboard". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Take your performances to the next level with the Yamaha YC88 88-key Stage Keyboard, a gig-ready instrument meticulously designed for professional musicians. Packed with a diverse range of piano, organ and synth voices, the YC88 promises an incredible sound experience. With Yamaha's proprietary Virtual Circuitry Modeling technology, the YC88 authentically recreates the nuances of vintage tonewheel organs to deliver a true analog experience.
The YC88's sonic palette spans from acoustic and electric pianos to iconic FM synthesizer sounds that shaped '80s pop, giving you the freedom to craft your signature sound. Whether you fancy warm and woody organ tones or bright and biting ones, the YC88 has got you covered.
The triple-sensor hammer-action keyboard is Yamaha's answer to the discerning pianists' demand for realistic touch. Designed to facilitate organ technique, the keyboard precisely detects the speed and pressure of each keystroke, offering nuanced control of tone and sustain.
Despite its vintage character, the YC88 is equipped with a modern, intuitive interface that puts you in command of your performance. Nine assignable sliders and an array of buttons offer hands-on control of volume, effects, voice selection, and more.
Key Features:
- 88-key stage keyboard with robust design
- Proprietary Virtual Circuitry Modeling technology
- Triple-sensor hammer-action keyboard
- Wide range of editable organ tones and synth voices
- Intuitive interface with nine assignable sliders and multiple control buttons
- Lightweight and portable, suitable for gigging musicians.
Product specs
| Type | Stage Keyboard |
| Sound Engine | VCM Organ, AWM2, FM |
| Number of Keys | 88 |
| Type of Keys | Natural Wood, Graded Hammer |
| Touch Sensitivity | Normal, Soft, Hard, Wide, Fixed |
| Other Controllers | Pitchbend Lever, Modulation Lever |
| Polyphony | 128 Notes (AWM2/Organ), 128 Notes (FM) |
| Presets | 8 organ, 139 keys |
| Effects | Reverb, Rotary Speaker, 3-band EQ |
| Audio Inputs | 2 x 1/4" (R, L/Mono) |
| Audio Outputs | 2 x XLR (main out), 2 x 1/4" (R, L/Mono) |
| Headphones | 1 x 1/4" |
| USB | 1 x Type B, 1 x Type A |
| MIDI I/O | In/Out/USB |
| Pedal Inputs | 4 x 1/4" |
| Pedal Included | Yes, FC3A (sustain) |
| Display | LCD |
| Power Supply | Standard IEC AC cable |
| Height | 5.6" |
| Width | 51.1" |
| Depth | 14.3" |
| Weight | 41 lbs. |
FAQs
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Does the Yamaha YC88 have weighted keys?
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Yes, the Yamaha YC88 features fully weighted keys with a Natural Wood Graded Hammer action, providing an authentic piano feel for dynamic playing.
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What sound engines are included in the Yamaha YC88?
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The Yamaha YC88 includes VCM Organ, AWM2, and FM sound engines, offering a wide range of classic organ tones and versatile digital sounds.
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Is the Yamaha YC88 suitable for live performances?
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Absolutely, the Yamaha YC88 is designed as a stage keyboard with robust build quality, diverse sound options, and intuitive controls, making it ideal for live gigs.
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Does the Yamaha YC88 have built-in speakers?
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No, the Yamaha YC88 does not come with built-in speakers, so external amplification is required for sound output.
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What connectivity options does the Yamaha YC88 offer?
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The Yamaha YC88 provides various connectivity options, including USB, MIDI In/Out, XLR and 1/4" audio outputs, and multiple pedal inputs for versatile stage and studio setups.
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Can the Yamaha YC88 be used with a sustain pedal?
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Yes, the Yamaha YC88 includes an FC3A sustain pedal, enhancing expressive playing by allowing for dynamic sustain control.
Videos
DSoundman
Nord Stage 4 vs Yamaha YC88 - Comparison Review
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional sound quality, with highly praised piano and electric piano samples
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Revolutionary Leslie simulation greatly improved in firmware updates
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Fully weighted keys for realistic piano feel
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Solid and durable build quality
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User-friendly interface and operation
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Built-in audio/MIDI interface adds versatility
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Organ drawbars and toggle switches enhance live performance usability
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Effective sound shaping with filters, ADSR, and individual EQ per patch
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Supports extensive live performance needs with 4 MIDI zones and multi-sound mixing
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Comprehensive video tutorials available for ease of use
CONS
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Initial organ emulations considered below industry standards
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Some desired sounds and features require firmware updates
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Limited onboard synthesizer section and sound variety compared to competition
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MIDI functionality could be more sophisticated
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Black keys could offer better grip
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XLR outputs appreciated, but not all users may find them necessary
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Requires external sound system for optimal audio performance
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha YC88 88-key Stage Keyboard.
Features and functionality
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The YC88's keys are weighted, which may challenge typical organ techniques like slides and fast arpeggios, despite its excellent overall performance.
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The Yamaha YC88 includes a built-in audio/MIDI interface, allowing seamless integration with VSTi hosts like Reaper for expanded synth and sound capabilities.
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The YC88 and CP88 share the same triple-sensor NW-GH keybed, although some users feel the YC88 keys start heavier before moving smoothly.
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Comparisons
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Compared to the Fantom, users find the Yamaha YC88's action and user-friendly controls to be more desirable, especially when excessive features are unnecessary.
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The Nord Electro is often considered a closer competitor to the YC88 than the Nord Stage 4, particularly in terms of layering and synth capabilities.
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The YC88 has been praised for its superior organ sounds compared to the CP88, appealing to those who prioritize organ capabilities.
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User experience
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Trying the YC88 firsthand reveals its satisfying key feel and intuitive controls, persuading some to favor it over other models despite the weighted key concern for organ play.
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The YC88's heavier action is noted for its suitability for users prioritizing piano expressiveness over lighter, faster organ and epiano playability.
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Some users recommend the YC73 for a lighter action compared to the YC88, though it's noted that the YC73 isn't as light as other Yamaha keybeds.
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Value and pricing
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The YC88 is currently $600 off, making it an attractive option for those seeking high-quality action and control in an 88-key stage keyboard.
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Software and compatibility
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Users successfully enhance the YC88's sound palette using VSTi plugins like Surge, Spitfire BBC Orchestra, and Pianoteq for grand piano emulation.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating
655
Amazing features, AMAZING ORGAN
Played this for 400-500 shows at a cruise ship. This keyboard covers every function that I would ever need for standard live performances for mainstream genre bands. Not only their selection of Pianos, Electric Pianos, and Pads is very very good, but also their electric ORGAN function and the "rotary speakers" (the Leslie simulator) is the most amazing thing that I have ever heard. I am aware that it's a copycat of the Nord Stage, but, especially with that organ, there is nothing in this keyboard I may consider objectively worse than a Nord. Now that I know this keyboard EXTREMELY well, I still need to play a Nord stage for longer in order to compare more objectively. Disclaimer: the functions are very manual and rudimental, which means that you have to know how to use it in order to get amazing sounds out of it. For example, you need to know how to use a compressor, the behavior of a tone knob, the drawbars of a real organ, the leslie speaker, etc. If you don't know about these things, don't complain that it doesn't have good sounds.
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