Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735From real comments

Verdict distilled from 20 mentions across 10 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment74%
PROS 74%
CONS 26%

Rank based on 20 mentions across 10 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You want an authentic CFX grand piano voice for home or church use
  • You plan to connect it to VST software like Garritan CFX or Pianoteq via MIDI
  • You're upgrading from an entry-level Clavinova or Yamaha digital piano

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You're sensitive to occasional key-volume or tuning inconsistencies some owners report
  • You expect built-in speakers to rival external powered speakers or a real acoustic piano
  • You're not sure the price jump over cheaper models like the YDP-165 is worth it for your needs

What users complain about

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Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate soundGreat with extended-range guitarsStrong overall tone qualityPrice concerns
Mad Professor Fire Red Fuzz
Articulate sound
Great with extended-range guitars
Strong overall tone quality
Price concerns
2Premium
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog toneLong-term reliability and board loyaltySimple, intuitive controlsHigh price pointCheaper alternatives seen as comparableDistortion at high settings
Mad Professor Deep Blue Delay
Musical analog tone
Long-term reliability and board loyalty
Simple, intuitive controls
High price point
Cheaper alternatives seen as comparable
Distortion at high settings
3Premium
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamicsLong-term favorite / durability of appealSweet, low-gain tone qualityHigh price versus clonesDeluxe loses some original characterLimited mid control
Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrive
Touch-sensitive dynamics
Long-term favorite / durability of appeal
Sweet, low-gain tone quality
High price versus clones
Deluxe loses some original character
Limited mid control
Best value
4Mid
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatilityNatural, amp-like tonePowerful 3-band EQDemo videos undersell the pedalNoticeable noise floorVolume drop when engaged
MXR Super Badass Distortion
Exceptional versatility
Natural, amp-like tone
Powerful 3-band EQ
Demo videos undersell the pedal
Noticeable noise floor
Volume drop when engaged
5Premium
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb qualityHigh-quality warm pitch shiftingStrong aspirational appealHigh priceCheaper alternatives may sufficeEffect can feel like it plays for you
Eventide Orville
Exceptional reverb quality
High-quality warm pitch shifting
Strong aspirational appeal
High price
Cheaper alternatives may suffice
Effect can feel like it plays for you
6Premium
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like toneExcellent low-to-mid gain driveUnderrated favorite among ownersHigh price pointLimited gain-staging flexibilityNo built-in reverb
Origin Effects Deluxe61
Authentic amp-like tone
Excellent low-to-mid gain drive
Underrated favorite among owners
High price point
Limited gain-staging flexibility
No built-in reverb
7Premium
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drumWarmer, more alive analog characterCultural and historical influenceExtremely high collector priceAnalog noise and static requiring EQReliability concerns of aging hardware
Roland TR-808
Iconic, powerful kick drum
Warmer, more alive analog character
Cultural and historical influence
Extremely high collector price
Analog noise and static requiring EQ
Reliability concerns of aging hardware
8Premium
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to playWarm, fat analog toneStrong DAW/VST editor integrationHigh price for what it offersLimited versatility outside bass rangeNeeds effects/partner gear to shine
Moog Subsequent 37
Inspiring and addictive to play
Warm, fat analog tone
Strong DAW/VST editor integration
High price for what it offers
Limited versatility outside bass range
Needs effects/partner gear to shine
9
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style toneConvincing demo influenced purchaseExcellent clean boostNot suited for metal tones
Wampler Tumnus V2
Klon Centaur-style tone
Convincing demo influenced purchase
Excellent clean boost
Not suited for metal tones
10Mid
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent toneVersatile across genresWorks well across many guitar typesTwo-channel routing complexityDry signal bleed-throughInconsistent demo impressions
Wampler Paisley Drive
Transparent tone
Versatile across genres
Works well across many guitar types
Two-channel routing complexity
Dry signal bleed-through
Inconsistent demo impressions
You are here
31Mid
Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735
Owner Satisfaction After PurchaseWell-Regarded Reviews Helped Buying DecisionCFX Grand Piano SoundInconsistent Key VolumeMixed Feelings From an OwnerPossible Sound Distortion
Yamaha Clavinova CLP-735
Owner Satisfaction After Purchase
Well-Regarded Reviews Helped Buying Decision
CFX Grand Piano Sound
Inconsistent Key Volume
Mixed Feelings From an Owner
Possible Sound Distortion

Who wins on what

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

The CFX grand piano sound is the standout feature for most owners. Multiple commenters singled out the CFX voice as sounding clean, beautiful, and close to an acoustic piano, with one owner saying they'd 'definitely often be on the CFX Grand setting.' Another buyer specifically enjoyed the CFX sound while using the piano as a MIDI controller for Pianoteq, though they were less keen on the Bosendorfer sample by comparison.

Some owners report inconsistent key volume and tuning across octaves. One user described the C2 and C3 keys sounding louder than the rest, asking if this was unique to their unit. Another noticed the lower octaves sounding higher in volume than the higher octaves, suggesting a possible tuning imbalance. A third commenter reported distorted, clipping-like sound at all volume levels, though they weren't certain if it was their own laptop speakers causing it.

MIDI and VST connectivity make the CLP-735 useful beyond its onboard sounds. Owners reported hooking the piano to a laptop to run Garritan CFX VST software, calling it 'awesome,' and using it as a MIDI controller for Pianoteq. This flexibility appeals to buyers comparing it against similar models like the CLP-725 or Casio CN39, since it extends the instrument's usefulness for recording and alternate piano samples beyond the built-in voices.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?