ARP appreciation post ⚡️🎹⚡️
Pictured here:
Rhodes Electronic Piano, ARP Solina String Ensemble, ARP Pro Soloist, ARP Odyssey, ARP Axxe, and Octave the Cat.
In the early 1980s, the future of both the Rhodes and ARP brands were uncertain. Now under the ownership of the CBS corporation, there were a couple ARP designed instruments released under the Rhodes name, including the “Electronic Piano” pictured here (as well as the Rhodes Chroma synth). It should be noted that Harold Rhodes opposed this rebranding as he thought (rightfully so) that it diluted the legacy of the Rhodes piano.
“The Cat” is a synth produced by Octave and is included in this set because it is so similar to the Odyssey design that the company was sued by ARP in the 70s.
Regardless of the tumultuous history, we here at CEPCo have grown fond of these instruments and have a strong appreciation for this era of analog synthesizers!
#analogsynth#arp#arpodyssey#octavecat#arpaxxe#arpprosoloist#solinastringensemble#vintagekeys#electricpiano#restorationshop#pianoporn#madeinchicago#lawsuit#cepco
🌖The “Death Star” piano is taking flight! 🌒
Here’s @matt.blocher with a stellar performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Golden Lady”, from his 1973 ‘Innervisions’ album. Stevie produced for other artists under the name “El Toro Negro”, and although we’ve been calling this piano “The Death Star”, we think “El Toro Negro” is also a fitting nickname for this Black Bull of a piano. 🐂🎹
While Stevie Wonder may be more associated with the Yamaha CS-80 Synthesizer, we think his songs sound great on a Yamaha CP-80 too! This intro in particular is well suited for an 88 key piano, so we’ve been excited to do a version of this song for some time.
This late 70’s Yamaha piano underwent a complete mechanical and electronic overhaul from us, then we built the custom plexiglass top and bottom panels, as well as a matching music rack. We’re over the moon, and into a land far far away with this piano. 🛸
#goldenlady#innervisions#steviewonder#yamaha#cp80#cp70b#yamahapiano#customplexiglass#plexiglass#deathstar#eltoronegro#theblackbull#yamahacs80#custompiano#customkeys#restoration#madeinchicago#nippongakki#starwars#cepco#chicagoelectricpianoco
🌌 ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ with our latest custom “Death Star” inspired Yamaha CP-80! 🌌
💥 The CP-80 was Yamaha’s flagship portable stage piano of the late 70’s and early 80’s, boasting a full 88 key register, stereo tremolo, onboard effects loop and 3-band EQ. We gave this one a complete mechanical and electronic overhaul, then built custom smoked plexiglass top and bottom panels for a magical translucent visual experience. 💥
Additionally, we built a matching plexiglass music rack, and fitted the piano with new repro legs & crossbars. The result is a piano fit for Darth Vader’s penthouse. 🚀🛸
#yamaha#custompiano#darthvader#yamahapiano#customkeys#deathstar#thedarkside#theempirestrikesback#sith#jedi#plexiglass#yamahacp70#yamahacp70b#yamahacp#smoked#cepco#restoration#chicagoelectricpianoco
