Best
Student Piano
YDP-165 A GRAND EXPERIENCE FOR A COMPACT HOME
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Overall: Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) Keyboard
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Best Feature: Yamaha's Pure CF Sound Engine For High-Quality Sound Reproduction
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TedScore™: 8/10
Best
Overall Piano
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Overall: GrandTouch-S keyboard with synthetic ebony and ivory keytops.
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Best Feature: Binaural sampling and stereophonic optimizer
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TedScore™: 10/10
Best
Professional Piano
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Overall: Has GrandTouch-S keyboard with wooden keys
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Best Feature: Virtual Resonance Modeling technology
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TedScore™: 10/10
As a digital piano enthusiast, I was instantly captivated by the allure of the Yamaha CLP 735. It’s not just any digital piano; it’s one that’s designed to emulate the feel and sound of an authentic grand piano.
If you’re curious about why the Yamaha CLP 735 should be your next musical investment, you’re in the right place.
Join me as we explore what makes the Yamaha CLP 735 a standout in the world of Clavinova pianos. Plus, if you stay till the end, I’ll share tips on maximizing your playing experience.
Ready to tune into this musical journey? Let’s get started.
Design and Build
The Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735 embodies a blend of classic aesthetic appeal and modern functionality. Let’s explore its dimensions, keyboard features, and the thoughtful design of its pedals and covers.
Dimensions and Aesthetics
The Clavinova CLP-735 is a piece that captures attention in any room. Its width, height, and weight are meticulously designed to fit comfortably in a variety of spaces, balancing both an elegant silhouette and substantial presence.
The rich black finish highlights its premium design, showcasing the Yamaha design philosophy aimed at elegance and sophistication.
Among its stunning features is the lustrous finish, which not only adds to the beauty but also enhances the durability of the Clavinova. Its dimensions make it versatile enough to blend seamlessly with different interior styles while retaining its unique allure.
Keyboard and Touch
Playing the CLP-735 feels remarkably close to playing an acoustic grand. This is mainly due to its GrandTouch-S™ Keyboard, which promises superior touch sensitivity and responsive feedback. The 88-key linear graded hammers ensure that each note is buttery smooth.
Additionally, the synthetic ebony and ivory key tops add a subtle texture that mimics the feel of real keys. Together with the escapement mechanism, they create an incredibly realistic touch. The expressive keyboard is perfect for musicians who seek both precision and emotional depth in their music.
Pedals and Covers
The CLP-735’s pedal system deserves special mention. It features a GP Response Damper Pedal that provides an authentic pedal feel and allows nuanced control over dynamics.
It also includes an innovative key cover design, which is not just functional but adds a layer of sophistication to the instrument’s overall appearance. This stylish cover protects the keys while blending seamlessly into the piano’s design.
Yamaha CLP 735 Digital Piano
FEATURES: GrandTouch-S keyboard with synthetic ebony and ivory keytops.
OTHER INFO: Binaural sampling and stereophonic optimizer
- Authentic touch and response
- Immersive sound technology
- Higher price point
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Sound and Expression
Thanks to its advanced acoustic technology and innovative digital features, the Yamaha CLP 735 offers a rich and vibrant sound experience. It enhances playability with a realistic feel while sophisticated effects and functions deepen your playing experience.
Acoustic Technology
Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM): VRM simulates the complex interactions of strings and body resonance found in an acoustic piano. This provides a rich depth and tonal variation, making each note more true-to-life and expressive.
With Yamaha’s Grand Expression Modeling, every keystroke is uniquely resonant, enriching my playing experience with nuanced expression.
Binaural Sampling: To achieve immersive sound, Yamaha uses binaural sampling techniques with its renowned CFX concert grand piano. Wearing headphones transports me straight into a concert hall. The sound seems to emanate from all around, enhancing the realism and presence of the piano sound.
Digital Features
Smart Pianist App: The integration of Smart Pianist App facilitates personal learning and practice. It lets me control the piano settings, record performances, and even display sheet music. Adjustments to sound quality, like dynamic range and tonal variation, become child’s play, all from my device.
Stereophonic Optimizer: With the Stereophonic Optimizer, the sound feels centered and balanced, whether I’m using headphones or not. This helps maintain high sound quality even while playing softly, ensuring clarity and depth.
Effects and Functions
Key-Off Samples and Smooth Release: These features provide authentic decay and release timings, closely mirroring traditional acoustic pianos. The realistic replication supports a nuanced touch, offering subtlety in my expression and enhancing both tonal quality and dynamic range.
Reverb, Chorus, and Brilliance Effects: The CLP 735 includes these effects to broaden my sound palette. Whether I wish to add depth with reverb, warmth with chorus, or brightness with brilliance, I can customize it to suit various music styles.
Extensive Polyphony and Preset Lesson Songs: With substantial polyphony, I can perform complex pieces without dropping notes. Additionally, the preset lesson songs introduce me to various musical styles, promoting better playability and sound quality.
This blend of acoustic fidelity and digital innovation makes the Yamaha CLP 735 a remarkable tool for creating beautiful, expressive music.
Comparing to Other Models
Yamaha CLP-745
FEATURES: Has GrandTouch-S keyboard with wooden keys and synthetic ebony and ivory keytops
OTHER INFO: Incorporates Virtual Resonance Modeling technology
- Offers a wide range of features, including multiple piano voices, a variety of built-in songs, USB audio recording and playback, and compatibility with apps like Smart Pianist
- With Virtual Resonance Modeling (VRM) technology and high-quality piano samples
- Premium price tag
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Yamaha Arius YDP-165
FEATURES: Graded Hammer Standard (GHS) Keyboard With 88 Weighted Keys For A Great Experience
OTHER INFO: Yamaha's Pure CF Sound Engine For High-Quality Sound Reproduction of Real Acoustic Piano
- Built-in recording and playback features for practice and performance
- USB connectivity for easy integration with computers and other devices
- Has a maximum polyphony of 192 notes
When you click ‘Check Price’, you’ll see there are loads of great places to buy this item. Our personal favorite is Sweetwater for the US, and Thomann and Gear4Music for the UK & Europe.
They are the largest music retailers, with excellent customer service, competitive prices, really fast shipping, and the longest guarantees.
The professional musician who wrote this article combined many things,
from the product build, manufacturer’s reputation through to feedback
from other users, to create our famous TedScore™.
Recap:
Yamaha CLP 735
With over a century of acoustic piano manufacturing heritage, Yamaha has expertly crafted the Clavinova CLP series to deliver an unparalleled playing experience.
The grand expression modeling simulates the intricate nuances of world-renowned Bösendorfer Imperial grand pianos and Yamaha’s own CFX concert grand pianos, allowing players to achieve real grand expression and convey the emotional depth of their performances.
When you hear classical compositions played on a Clavinova CLP, you’ll be captivated by the acoustic grand’s light touch and broad dynamic range, which enables you to express yourself with utmost precision and sensitivity.
From the powerful fortissimo to the delicate pianissimo, and even the unique character of fortepiano voices, the Clavinova CLP series captures every detail with stunning realism.
Yamaha’s meticulous attention to all the internal components ensures that each Clavinova CLP digital piano is a masterpiece of engineering and craftsmanship, providing an unrivaled playing experience for pianists of all levels.
Go on with the reading…
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Curious about the acoustic technology section; you mention how it mimics the sound of concert grand pianos, but does the CLP 735 truly deliver on this compared to actual acoustic pianos? From my experience, while digital does a lot right, there’s always a gap in the ‘feel’. Would love more detail on this aspect.
Dawn , this was an enlightening read. I’m on the hunt for a beginner-friendly piano for my son, and I’m trying to figure out if the Yamaha CLP 735 is a good fit. It sounds like it has a lot of features, but I’m worried it might be too complex for him. Thoughts?
good read, didn’t realize how much tech goes into these pianos. might consider getting one for the studio, for those times i wanna lay down some keys instead of strings.
Tom, you definitely should! It’s a game changer in terms of creativity.
Hey, just curious about the digital features of the Yamaha CLP 735. How do they improve the overall playing experience? Anyone tried them out?
While the Yamaha CLP 735 presents an interesting option for those inclined towards digital pianos, one must not overlook the elemental feel and response of traditional acoustic pianos. The dimensions and aesthetics of digital models, including the CLP 735 as outlined by Robert Emery, indeed offer a modern appeal; however, the tactile feedback and inherent sound production of acoustics play a crucial role in mastering pianistic techniques. It would be beneficial to juxtapose not only the technical specifications but also the artistic nuances between these categories for a more comprehensive understanding.
Robert, gotta say, your deep dive into the CLP 735’s digital features was top notch. Especially the part on the hybrid sound technology. Makes me wonder how it truly stacks up against pure analog models in blind tests. Would love to see more comparisons.
Totally agree with MaxTech89. Those digital capabilities seem promising for both studio and live performances. Would add so much value to have that kind of versatile instrument.
Is the Yamaha CLP 735 good for beginners like me? It looks nice, but I’m worried it might be too complex.