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In the spirit of our mission to become the UK’s most helpful piano shop, I’d like to answer some of the most frequently asked questions that we get from customers about the Yamaha CSP-150 & CSP-170 digital pianos.
12m
Watch Chris answering frequently asked questions about the Yamaha CSP series of digital pianos
Let’s start off with the most commonly asked questions, shall we?
This is probably the most commonly asked question about the CSP range. As it was coming up so often, I decided to make a video comparing the two models in detail. You can watch it below.
8mWatch Chris's detailed comparison of the Yamaha CSP-150 & CSP-170 digital pianos.
Yes, they most certainly do! Both the Yamaha CSP-150 & CSP-170 use a graded hammer action, which means that the keys have a mechanical weight to them just like traditional pianos do. When you push down a key, you will feel a very natural resistance in it.
One of the most important differences between the Yamaha CSP-150 & CSP-170 concerns the keys themselves.
The entire keyboard on the CSP-150 is plastic (with synthetic ebony & ivory keytops) but the white keys on the CSP-170 are actually made with real wood!
Having keys that are wooden brings the CSP-170 a step closer to the full authentic feel of a ‘real’ piano.
Yes, both the Yamaha CSP-150 & CSP-170 have the standard 88 keys normally seen on traditional pianos. They are also full-sized. Naturally, this means that the width of these pianos will be very similar to traditional pianos.
If you’re looking for a realistic-feeling piano that isn’t as wide as these models, then have a look at our blog all about small pianos here.
Yes, there are x2 quarter-inch-jack sockets that are easily accessible underneath these pianos. Having two sockets means that two people can play the piano while wearing headphones at once. Perfect for duets!
See our guide for choosing the right type of headphones for your digital piano here.
No, they won’t. Digital pianos like these cannot go out of tune as there are no strings inside. Read more about this in our blog here.
Not having to tune digital pianos is one of the reasons they’ve become so popular in recent times.
Okay, that’s the really common questions covered. Let’s move on to the slightly less frequent but more detailed ones.
No, they’re not. The Yamaha CSP-150 & CSP-170 can both be used as stand-alone digital pianos. When you power them up, the default setting is the standard Yamaha piano voice. This can be played simply as a normal piano.
While playing them as stand-alone pianos is possible, using them with a smartphone or tablet – and Yamaha’s Smart Pianist app – unlocks some superb extra features and functions. See our blog about it here.
Yes, the Yamaha Smart Pianist app – which is the main companion app for these models – is compatible with iOS and Android devices. You can see full details of compatibility on Yamaha’s website here.
In my opinion, anything that brings a beginner to the piano for practice is a good thing! The Stream Light system used on the Yamaha CSP series pianos is particularly attractive if you aren’t keen on learning in the traditional way.
While the Stream Light method is innovative and intuitive, I can see it having limitations when a beginner takes the next steps in their learning journey.
Specifically, I can envisage a keen learner eventually outgrowing the stream light system, wanting to express themselves a little more or attempting more difficult pieces, and being left without some important playing techniques. That’s purely my opinion, I should say!
Yes! Both the Yamaha CSP-150 & CSP-170 have a quarter-inch jack microphone input socket. You can also take advantage of the 44 different types of vocal harmony effects. This makes these pianos ideal for singer-songwriters.
The matte black finishes simply have a lower production cost. Consequently, they’re more cost-effective for people to buy and tend to be around £400-£500 cheaper than the polished ebony finishes.
In my comparison video near the top of this blog, I go into more detail and give some close-up views of the two finishes.
Yes, as well as connecting to a smartphone or tablet, you can easily connect the Yamaha CSP-150 & CSP-170 to a PC or Mac using the quarter-inch jack output, the standard MIDI connections, or the USB TO HOST outputs.
Transferring audio and MIDI data is possible from both models and can even be done via a USB stick via the standard USB to DEVICE socket.
The main difference from the Yamaha CLP range of digital pianos is that the CSP models incorporate the Stream Light tutorial system.
The Stream lights are housed in a panel just above the main keyboard. On CLP models the cabinet design is deliberately kept much more traditional in its style.
The Yamaha CLP range incorporates a more advanced piano-style weighted key mechanism called the ‘GrandTouch™ keyboard’.
The CSP models also include hundreds of backing and accompaniment styles which you can play along with to enhance your performances. The CLP range focuses on giving a highly authentic piano playing experience.
The differences can be seen with just a glance at the Yamaha CVP models. The front panels of which are covered in buttons and there’s an enormous touchscreen on the front.
The Yamaha CVP805 & CVP809 models are more advanced than the Yamaha CSP models in the software and hardware departments.
In short, you might consider the Yamaha CVP range as taking all the best features of the CLP & CSP models and combining them together. What you get is a super high-spec piano keyboard with loads of additional functionality.
One aspect where CVP differs from CSP/CLP is that the cabinet design could hardly be described as minimalist or traditional. It necessarily includes a large colour touchscreen and buttons/switches for interfacing with all of the various functions that it offers.
This type of digital piano comes very safely flat-packed. Some basic assembly is required but it’s not particularly complicated (see our video here) and 99% of people achieve it with no issues whatsoever.
The main part of the piano is already assembled within the box. You are required simply to build and attach the feet and legs using a handful of screws. There are no complex cables to plug in except one for the pedals and one for the mains.
I hope this blog has been useful to you. If it didn’t answer the question you have about the Yamaha CSP range then just get in touch with us via phone on 01295 266788, email at sales@epianos.co.uk, or you can leave a comment below.
Byebye for now!
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These items are sold on behalf of Yamaha, and are sent to us on a per-order basis, typically within 5-7 working days, unless an ETA is otherwise stated.
We'll contact you the moment your purchase arrives with us to organise delivery, based on your selected option.
Example products: Yamaha DGX670, Yamaha P-525, Yamaha YDP-S55, Yamaha Clavinova.
These items must be sent with a heavy-goods courier (typically APC or FedEx). On occasion, depending on which is fastest, we will drop-ship directly from Yamaha to your address via Dachser.
Tracking will be provided by the haulier, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
*If you have included the optional £180 "Yamaha Premium Service" home delivery & setup option offered on selected products, we will contact you regarding arrangements after purchase.
**The Yamaha CSP Series, Yamaha CVP905 & CVP909, Yamaha CLP875, 885 & 895GP, and Yamaha NU1Xa are all sold on behalf of Yamaha and arrive with us on a per-order basis. As soon as your piano has arrived, we will contact you to organise the appropriate dispatch method. ETA for stock is shown on the product page for those items.
***If you have included the optional £99 home delivery & setup option offered on selected products, we will send your details direct to the installation team, who will contact you within 48 hours to make arrangements.
Depending on which option is most appropriate, we will either contact you to discuss a bespoke ePianos delivery surcharge for goods we can’t package for a 3rd party courier, or otherwise dispatch goods via FedEx or APC.
If a courier is used, tracking will be provided by them directly, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
Example products: Yamaha PSR-SX920, Yamaha P-225, Yamaha NP-15.
These items will be sent via courier (typically APC or FedEx). On occasion, depending on which is fastest, we will drop-ship directly from Yamaha to your address via UPS or Parcelforce.
Tracking will be provided by the courier, with a typical arrival time of 1-2 working days.
Smaller items, such as books, discs, etc, will be dispatched via Royal Mail second class.
After purchase, you can download the file either from the order confirmation page or the "Downloads" tab in "My Account".
If you have selected the option to receive a pre-loaded USB stick, then this will be dispatched via Royal Mail.
We will contact you regarding any pre-ordered items, and let you know when they arrive so as to arrange delivery with you at a convenient time.
Used items can also be purchased using either of the following options (minimum loan amount of £250 after deposit):
Total amount payable: £893.32
Available finance options are displayed at checkout. Alternatively, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to discuss the options, or email a finance application to you. Find out more by clicking here
Our seasonal opening hours are as follows:
We are closed on all bank holidays, therefore the processing of sales and deliveries will be delayed.
For orders of any stock displaying a 7-10 day lead time, we will contact you as soon as the item arrives with us to schedule a delivery with you.
Occasionally, there may be availability issues with our suppliers, in which case we'll get in touch with you to see if you're happy to wait, or if you'd like to cancel the order and receive a full refund.
This is a special order "agency" item, and comes to us directly from Yamaha on a per-order basis.
It typically takes 7-10 days for this item to arrive with us, whereupon we'll contact you to discuss the arrangement of delivery.
For any pre-orders, we will contact you as soon as the item arrives with us to schedule a delivery with you, and update you with an ETA.
Occasionally, there may be availability issues with our suppliers, in which case we'll get in touch with you to see if you're happy to wait, or if you'd like to cancel the order and receive a full refund.
*Cashback amount varies product to product, as indicated.
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