Anyone own this high-end Yamaha digital piano/arranger? It's a T3 in piano form.
Is it worth the high price? I can get one on sale for a little under $9,000.

I know there's a ton of digital home pianos out there but I'm looking for a full-on arranger + piano. The only other option I know of is the Korg Pa588, which is great sounding, but quite ugly as a piece of furniture. But it's at a fraction of the price of the 509.

Any advice?

http://www.yamahapkowner.com/?page_id=1650
http://music.yamaha.com/products/main.html?product=CVP-509

Tim, I have a CVP307. I seem to remember at the time it may have be a T1 in piano form. I've been very happy with the 307 and have mentioned in previous posts, that if I could take this to a gig, it would be the arranger I'd want to have. I don't use it much as an arranger any more, but use it at home more as a piano. I actually sold a Samick grand to buy the CVP 307. At times I miss the Samick, but I don't miss havin a piano tech in 2 to 3 times a year to keep it sounding the way I liked it to. The CVP is always consistent.

I had a dealer connection at the time who retired from the business. I paid $5100 about 5 years ago,if I hadn't had the connection it would have cost me closer to $6200. There's 2 pianos in particular I find to my liking they are simply labeled Grand 1 and Grand 2. The grand 1 is reminiscent of a Yamaha grand and the 2 of a Steinway. ( at least what I remember of the Steinway when I worked for Avery Piano in Providence some 100 years ago ).

I looked at the 309 at the time of purchasing the 307, I didn't believe there was enough difference in the 2 instruments to justify the extra cost. I noticed Yamaha doesn't make a 507, the jump is now 505 to 509. You may want to head over to http://www.cvpug.com It's a user group for CVP owners, you'll probably get so good feedback there.



[This message has been edited by Stephenm52 (edited 06-25-2010).]

Thanks guys for the input. I played this piano last monday. It truly is reminiscent of the T3 in many ways - and it's the only other keyboard with SA2 voicing...nice.

The piano voice is the best that Yamaha has to offer in its digital line...very pleasing to the ear.

The speaker system is amazing - tri-amped, w/16 speakers total. My dealer/manager friend says Yamaha is raising prices on July 1. Not sure if that's across the board or just in the CVP line.

One bummer - unlike the T3, one cannot add voices, so it's a closed system, destined for dino-land in a few years. On the other hand, how much more realistic can the voices become?

Anyway, I'm inches away from signing on the dotted line on this beauty. Selling my s910 for a down payment. (sorry, already spoken for).

If anyone has any comments to talk me out of this major purchase, speak now.

Tim

Buy it!!! Good Luck, you're gonna love that 509!

Tim when people say "it's a Ty3 (or Ty2 with earlier models)in piano form that hasn't been strictly true. You've found the CVP won't be able to develop or use custom voices. You might find some of the functions like harmony for instance are "hidden" in menus as opposed to being immediately available as buttons as on Tyros's.
I could be wrong with the 509 but usually the CVP's only have 2 right voices as opposed to 3.
It may not be critical for you but suggest you check it out, especially the latter so at least you'll know in advance.
Otherwise best of luck with your purchase

john

[This message has been edited by jwyvern (edited 06-25-2010).]

John, you are correct about the limitations. I'm not that concerned about only 2 voices in the upper. I'm used to that with my s910.

My Pa800 does have 3 on the upper end. I really like the way Korg programs their voice combinations...in a way, more creatively than Yamaha. Another place Korg excells is in the pads. Korg offers a ton more variety of interesting pads...kinda reminds me of the way the Technics KN pads were programmed, though without the Major/minor solos. That was a great feature I miss. (I guess that comment should be reserved for the "I miss Technics" post)

Anyway I love the way Korg and Yamaha arrangers are so very different yet incredibly satisfying.

Tim

Why not wait...as the Tyros 4 is on the way and so will be a piano version that will be just like it also ....

Hi Tim, I looked at the previous series CVP401---407, and was very impressed with the product. I do not think you would be losing much in technology, but a s/h one would save you a lot of dollars, and still have great performance and sound.
They were selling here in OZ for a top price of $3500 to $6000 when new. The price I was offered with no trade then was $4600 for the CVP405. $9000 is alot of chaff. Good luck with whatever you decide
Ray

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Ray The Saint

Just a thought... you could go with the 505 or 507 and save some money, they have most of the features as the TOTL.... just a thought.... considering a 501 myself for at home....

Don't pay more than $6,000 for the 509. Cost is a bit over 5k. It's fine for dealers to make a few hundred dollars on a sale, but no reason to rip 3-4k from a customer. (Dealers, I don't mean to start a flame war, only giving my opinon).

It is standard practice to have a mark up of 20 points....There is a cost of doing business that needs to be considered...It is hardly a "rip off" to make a profit above the cost of operating a business...Just be concerned that the price is competitive..

Fran, you are certianly correct! No one is in business to give away inventory at cost. But...20% over cost on the CVP-509 comes to $6,000 and change, not $9,000(!) which is over 75% over cost. In my lexicon that's a rip-off of unsuspecting consumers. Much like how car dealers take advantage of uneducated buyers (young and old) and rip rip rip...

Also notice how CoasterTim says his dealer has it "on sale" for "only" $9,000 dollars. On Sale? At a 75% markup? What does he NORMALLY sell it for? ;-) OMG!

[This message has been edited by zalmang (edited 06-29-2010).]

Zalmang, I did a quick search and it appears that the 509 has a MSRP of $11,997...that would put the dealer cost at $7,200.....plus freight cost...

Maybe someone can confirm the correct "list price"..

I should add..I do not know the prices of the Yamaha line...and it is seldom shown the MSRP...In fact the home piano stores do not price off the list price..I have seen many times the products being sold at over list price....

I was trying to see if Tim's dealer friend is discounting the 509...and my initial finding appeared to reflect close to 20 percent off list....but as I stated..I am not sure of the MSRP..

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[This message has been edited by zalmang (edited 07-03-2010).]

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[This message has been edited by zalmang (edited 07-03-2010).]