Yamaha CLP725

Description

Yamaha Clavinova Digital Piano Model CLP725

 

Questions

Do you have a second hand Yamaha clp725? If not, which second hand piano do you have that’s similar to this one?

Many thanks

Reply/ Dear Jo

We don’t currently have a second hand Yamaha CLP725.

We have the following second-hand pianos that are closest to this model:

Kurzweil MP10 in rosewood
Roland HP503 in rosewood
Kawai CN34 in rosewood

The Kawai is the most realistic of the three.
It has a natural piano tone and a really nice key feel.

The Kurzweil is good value at £300 less than the Kawai.
The reason is that it’s an older model. The sound
quality is very good (sampled from a Steinway grand piano),
and the keys are very responsive.

Please let me know if you would like to reserve any of these
or have any questions.

You can see our extensive list of second hand digital pianos here

Yours pianistically,

Graham Howard

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“Can you recommend an alternative piano that’s equivalent quality in terms of sound and action that’s better on build quality?”

Hi Graham

I am considering upgrading my Yamaha CLP525 (which I bought from you in October 2015) and would welcome some advice.

I started playing the piano after I retired, when I was a total beginner. I took lessons until Covid hit, since when I have not returned to lessons. I am not a good pianist and cannot play any piece without many mistakes (if I manage to get to the end). But it gives me a lot of pleasure (and frustration!). I am now faced with a potentially long term condition that will keep me in the house for much of the time. So the piano has taken on an even greater importance than before.

What I am looking for is a digital piano that gives high quality sound and action (weighted keys etc) which mimic as closely as possible that of a real piano. I occasionally try to play my brothers’ Steinway and the difference in key action in particular is enormous, and I struggle to play it (although I am not aiming to mimic a Steinway!).

I have been looking at the various options open to me and am interested in the Yamaha CLP 775 or 785. However, I have had problems with my existing Yamaha and am concerned about the quality of build. Within the first 2 or 3 years of owning the CLP 525 I was twice faced with a situation where certain notes/keys would suddenly play very loudly and with a harsh metallic sound. Each time Yamaha sent round a technician who replaced some plastic strips which I presumed were some kind of damping system. However, it happened a third time shortly after the piano was out of warranty. Yamaha were, however, very good and repaired the instrument at no cost. The technician replaced the PCBs, commenting that it was a known problem and that if I had had to pay for the repair it would have cost £400.

The problem has now recurred, prompting me to change the piano. It is certainly not worth spending several hundred pounds for its repair.

So, if I am to go with Yamaha again, I do need some reassurance on the quality of build. Are you able to give me that? Otherwise, would you recommend alternative instruments that are of equivalent quality in terms of sound/action that may have a better record on build quality?

Also, any suggestions on what I might do with the old piano. It would be a pity for it to be sent to the dump!

Kind regards

Reply/ Hi Martin

Hi Martin

Yamahas are generally good build quality, but as
with most electronic products, things can go wrong.

If you’re looking for something similar to the
Yamaha CLP775 or CLP785 then I recommend
a piano from the Gewa range.

These are the most realistic digital pianos I’ve played.
They are also reliable.

I recommend for you either the UP355 or UP395.

Their sound sampling is taken directly from a Steinway
concert grand. They have a warm, resonant and natural tone.

What’s more, both the UP355 and UP395 have an extra
dynamic level over other equivalent priced digital
pianos. This makes them suitable for at least
grade 8 level… so you won’t need to upgrade later.

The key touch feels the same as playing on a real
piano. They are weighted correctly, and very
sensitive to touch. A real joy to play!

The UP395 model has an even more realistic key
touch than the UP355. This is because it has
wooden keys. These feel slightly firmer then
the plastic versions in most other digitals.

You can see the Gewa UP355 here

And here’s the UP395

They’re also both available on Rent to Buy for £65
or £90 per month.
You can read more about the rental here

Let me know if you have any questions.

Regarding your old piano, we could pick it up
from you at the same time we deliver a new one, but
it’s unlikely to be worth very much with the issues it has,
So we wouldn’t be able to offer you anything for it.

Yours pianistically

Graham Howard

—

Hi

I won’t be able to come and see the piano until next week earliest, do I have to pay to reserve it?

Many thanks.

Reply/ Dear Jo

We don’t have stock of the Yamaha CLP725 at the moment.
Very sorry for that.

However, we do have some similar alternatives available.
Two pianos in particular I recommend are the Gewa DP300G
and the Broadway BW1.

The Gewa is a good piano for learning on.
It has fully-weighted, touch sensitive keys and a
Steinway piano tone.
It plays a feels close to the real thing.

You can see it here

The Broadway has a similar key feel and features
to both the Yamaha CLP725 and the Gewa.
Being Broadway’s latest model, it also has Bluetooth.
The sound is bright and clear.
This is our best-selling digital piano at the moment.

You can see it here

We both these piano on display in our Enfield store
if you’d like to come and see them.

Yours pianistically

Graham Howard
UK Pianos Shop

—

Hi Graham,
I’m not having much success accessing your Howard score list of piano reviews so apologies for the further enquiry. I am keen to know your thoughts on comparing the Gewa DP345 and the Yamaha CLP 725. These are at similar price points and the Gewa clearly has a few more bells and whistles. I can’t seem to find many real world experience reviews of the Gewa online so am a little reticent about spending that sort of money on a less well known brand when a, albeit bottom end Yamaha might be a better option. Are there significant improvements in the feel of the keyboard and sound production of the CLP725 which would make it a better purchase instead of the Gewa DP345? One can always attach an iPad to the Yamaha to increase functionality if desired, though in truth I think the standard piano playing will be the primary use. I don’t want to spend the same money on a piano that offers more voices and a screen which sacrifices the most important factor of quality keyboard and sound (in comparison to the Yamaha) but if the Gewa does both then it would seem reasonable to opt for the newish kid on the block.
Many thanks for your candid thoughts.

Reply/ Hi Christopher

I do find the Gewa DP345 has a more sensitive key touch
and firmer feel to the keys than the Yamaha CLP725.
But most of all the tone of the Gewa is warmer and more
mellow than the Yamaha. This is due mostly to the
Steinway sound sampling.

The screen and extra voices of the DP345 do not affect
the sound quality of the default grand piano in any way.

Kind regards
Graham Howard
UK Pianos

—

Hi Graham,

Thank you for your fantastic bible of information. Unfortunately while I feel a great deal more educated I am still confused about what to buy!

My daughter is 7 years old and has been taking lessons for a year. At the moment she practices on my 20 year old Roland which was purchased for me to learn piano as a child although I did not take it very far. It has finally given up the ghost – middle C no longer works! – and I would like to buy a much better piano to replace it as I also hope for my younger daughter to also learn to play one day.

I had a friend recommend Yamaha Clavinovas and my own research has me looking at the CLP-725. However I honestly don’t know if this is what I should be looking at. We had hoped to keep it within £1000 but I am happy to go a bit beyond that to purchase a piano that will last should my children remain interested for the long term.

What is your recommendation in this situation?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Reply/ Hi Lily

Although the Yamaha CLP725 is a popular piano
and a decent one to learn on, I do recommend a
couple of alternative pianos that have a more
realistic key feel and nicer tone and come in
at a similar price to the Yamaha.

I recommend the following digital pianos for you:
Broadway BW1 or Gewa DP300G.

The Gewa DP300G would be my first choice.
It’s made in Germany and has a Steinway piano tone…

The sound is taken directly from a Steinway concert
grand (sampled in Hamburg). It has a warm, resonant
and natural tone – refreshingly different to the hard,
electric tone of many digital pianos around its price point.

What’s more, the DP300G has 4 dynamic levels.
This means you can play a wide range of different
volume levels on each key. This is required for
grade 5 to grade 8 level. It’s not required right now,
of course, but as your daughter progresses to
a higher level it will become essential, otherwise
you’d need to upgrade the piano later on.

You can see the Gewa here

There is also a second hand DP300 available here

The Broadway BW1 is another for you to consider.
And this is our best-selling digital piano.

The Broadway BW1 is also suitable for up to
grade 8 level. Both the sound and feel of the keys
are close to a real, acoustic piano.
This piano also has 4 dynamic levels.

You can see it here

Yours pianistically

Graham Howard