Cranes of Cardiff CDP750 upright digital piano in beech

Description

I’ve had this Cranes of Cardiff CDP750 upright digital piano for years now — it’s one of those solid, well-built instruments from a brand that sadly folded a few years ago. I bought it new for about £750, and it’s been in my studio at home in Oldham, Greater Manchester, ever since.

It’s got over 500 voices, a training mode that walks you through songs step by step, a bunch of demo tracks, and you can record your own music. There’s also a built-in rhythm section — you can play along with drum tracks — and a headphone jack, so you can practice without disturbing anyone. The keys have clear stickers showing the notes for each octave, which is handy if you’re still getting used to playing.

Three real piano-style pedals too — they work exactly like you’d expect on a real piano. The only small thing is that the voice select wheel doesn’t work properly; you have to press the key closest to the voice you want and then use the up/down arrows to get there. Otherwise, it’s been well looked after and plays really smoothly.

It’s in beech wood, with real wood sides, and it’s quite heavy — around 40kg — which tells you it was never meant to be a cheap piece. I’ve actually been using it regularly, even if I don’t play every day. It’s not perfect, but it’s a great, solid instrument that’s been loved and cared for.

I’m getting rid of it now because I’ve been moving into a new space and it’s just not quite fitting anymore. It’s been in the same place in Oldham for a while, and I’m not sure how long it’ll sit there before I finally part with it. If you’re into digital pianos and want something that’s actually usable, this might be worth a look. Price is £288 — just a quick note, not a selling point.