Yamaha Clavinova CLP-745From real comments

Name: Yamaha Clavinova CLP-745
Rating: 3.2 (14 reviews)

Verdict distilled from 14 mentions across 9 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment46%

PROS 46%

CONS 54%

Rank based on 14 mentions across 9 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

You want comfortable headphone playback and a near-acoustic hammer-action touch
You're upgrading from a stage piano like the P-515 and want a furniture-style Clavinova
You want iPad/Bluetooth connectivity in the 700-series line

What users love

Comfortable Grandtouch-S hammer action0 mentions

Widely praised

Comfortable headphone sound0 mentions

Strongly positive

Enjoyable for classical repertoire0 mentions

Widely praised

Natural upgrade from P-5150 mentions

Widely praised

Bluetooth/iPad connectivity and wood keys0 mentions

Generally positive

Skip this if...

You want individually weighted keys or the most authentic action (consider CLP-775 instead)
You need simple, obvious sound-setting recall without digging into the manual
You're used to a heavy acoustic touch and are sensitive to lighter digital key weight

What users complain about

Settings hard to save and recall0 mentions

Generally negative

Unusual key weight or touch for some0 mentions

Generally negative

Sound criticized as synthetic or thinner0 mentions

Frequently criticized

Still not a full acoustic substitute0 mentions

Generally negative

Compare in seconds

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

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

31Premium

Yamaha Clavinova CLP-745

Comfortable Grandtouch-S hammer actionBluetooth/iPad connectivity and wood keysComfortable headphone soundSettings hard to save and recallSound criticized as synthetic or thinnerUnusual key weight or touch for some

Yamaha Clavinova CLP-745

Comfortable Grandtouch-S hammer action

Bluetooth/iPad connectivity and wood keys

Comfortable headphone sound

Settings hard to save and recall

Sound criticized as synthetic or thinner

Unusual key weight or touch for some

Versatile
1. MXR Super Badass Distortionarrow_upward15
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward6
3. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward4
Expensive
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_downward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_downward3
3. Eventide Orvillearrow_downward4
Dynamic response
1. Mad Professor Sweet Honey Overdrivearrow_upward8
2. Wampler Paisley Drivearrow_upward2
Build quality
1. Moog Subsequent 37arrow_upward3
2. Origin Effects Deluxe61arrow_upward1

Overall Impression

The touch and headphone sound stand out as the CLP-745's strongest traits. Multiple owners highlight how naturally Yamaha processes the headphone output, calling it among the most comfortable digital piano sound for headphone use. The Grandtouch-S hammer action, while weighted in groups rather than individually, still felt very comfortable and close to an acoustic piano for classical playing, including detailed pieces like Chopin's Nocturnes.

It appeals as a step-up purchase from stage pianos like the P-515. Several commenters frame the CLP-745 as a desirable upgrade from Yamaha's P-515 after years of satisfactory use, valuing the move into a Clavinova cabinet. It's also noted as offering Bluetooth iPad connectivity within the 700-series class, along with wood keys, adding practical appeal over some siblings in the lineup.

Some users are less convinced by the sound character and settings usability. A few owners describe the tone as synthetic or 'plucky' compared to prior Clavinova generations, and one regretted the purchase outright. Others struggled to save or recall customized sound settings after powering off, and one long-term owner eventually traded the CLP-745 in for an acoustic Yamaha U1, feeling digital still couldn't match it.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?

pianoComfortable Grandtouch-S hammer action

2 mentions

Widely praised

The proprietary Grandtouch-S hammer action keys are described as the piano's main strength, feeling very comfortable to play even though weighting is grouped rather than individual. One classical player found the touch accurate and close to a good acoustic piano.

@cazfromoz1

I own this Yanaha piano model and thoroughly enjoy playing many classical pieces. Lately, Chopin's Nocturne no. 20 opus 49 Posth. The sound is clear and pleasant to the ear. The touch of the keys feels accurate and close to a good acoustic piano. I appreciate your demos and I'm viewng your tutorials. Hugh, thank you for sharing your passion and musical expertise. :-)

smart_display

April 1, 2022

@hyphen2612

I bought the 745, it's pretty nice as far as digital piano goes. The way Yamaha process the sounds for the headphone output is really nice! Probably the most comfortable sounds to be played through headphones on a digital piano. The proprietary Grandtouch-S hammer action keys are its main strength, even though it's only weighted in groups rather than individually, it was very comfortable to play, if you needed something even more authentic, perhaps go with the CLP-775 and it's got even better hammer action mechanism.

smart_display

May 21, 2021

headphonesComfortable headphone sound

1 mentions

Strongly positive

Owners note that Yamaha's headphone sound processing on the CLP-745 is unusually pleasant, calling it among the most comfortable digital piano sound through headphones. This makes practicing with headphones a highlighted strength.

@hyphen2612

smart_display

May 21, 2021

library_musicEnjoyable for classical repertoire

1 mentions

Widely praised

An owner reports thoroughly enjoying playing classical pieces, including Chopin's Nocturne No. 20, describing the sound as clear and pleasant and the touch as accurate.

@cazfromoz1

smart_display

April 1, 2022

trending_upNatural upgrade from P-515

1 mentions

Widely praised

A commenter with a P-515 for three years sees the CLP-745 as a good move up into a Clavinova, suggesting the model is viewed as a worthwhile step-up purchase.

@thomasbrown7980

Looks like a good move up from my p515. The 515 is still plenty good after 3 years but going up to a Clavinova is my desire.

smart_display

March 24, 2023

bluetoothBluetooth/iPad connectivity and wood keys

1 mentions

Generally positive

One commenter notes the CLP-745 appears to be the first in the 700-series class to offer Bluetooth connectivity to iPad, along with wood keys, adding functionality some find missing elsewhere.

@andrecinelli

Missed the connectivity with ipad and the app functionalities provided with it. Seems that in the 700s class he is the first to have bluetooth connectivity to ipad, also... i think he has the wood keys.

smart_display

February 13, 2022

saveSettings hard to save and recall

3 mentions

Generally negative

Users ask how to save customized sound settings so they aren't lost when the piano is turned off, and another wants guidance on memorizing a chosen timbre, suggesting the workflow isn't self-evident.

@multimusicstudios5661

What about I/O, midi features, controlling the balance between splits & layers, etc, altering and saving altered sounds, etc.?

smart_display

May 24, 2023

@kal17i

I wanted you to show how to memorize the chosen timbre to use it when playing.

smart_displayTranslated from Portuguese

January 5, 2022

@pauls2973

once i have adjusted and customized the sound, any way to save my settings or do i lose them anytime i turn the piano off?

smart_display

August 7, 2021

touch_appUnusual key weight or touch for some

2 mentions

Generally negative

One user found the key weight, touch, and size a little unusual and not quite like real or other digital pianos, while another with a heavy-key acoustic piano worried the lighter CLP-745 keys could be a problem.

@purpledream9

I feel like the clavicles are not normal in some way، not like real or digital، hand weight and touch and the size of the clavicle is a little unusual.

smart_display

January 5, 2024

@amirshayanmoghtaderi5840

Hi, quick question, I have a acoustice piano with heavy keys and considering buying an DP, I will spent 80% of my time on DP, if I get CLP 745, does the light keys could be a problem for me?

smart_display

December 20, 2022

graphic_eqSound criticized as synthetic or thinner

2 mentions

Frequently criticized

A couple of commenters felt the sound leaned synthesizer-like or 'plucky,' with one regretting the purchase and another feeling the previous generation's CFX sound was better.

@victors3803

Sounds like a sinthesator. I very much regret that i bought such piano

smart_display

March 28, 2023

@JitinMisra

The new clavinova sounds plucky, the previous generation kinda sounds better for the cfx

smart_display

March 13, 2021

compare_arrowsStill not a full acoustic substitute

1 mentions

Generally negative

One long-term owner ultimately traded the CLP-745 in for an acoustic Yamaha U1, saying digital pianos are fine but can't fully bear comparison to an acoustic instrument.

@PianobyRamsey

I had a Yamaha CLP 745 and they’re fine digital pianos but I traded it in for a Yamaha U1 acoustic. They are nice digital pianos but you can’t bear acoustic.

smart_display

October 28, 2024

Yamaha Clavinova CLP-745chat_bubble_outlineFrom real comments

thumb_up_off_altBuy this if...

What users lovefavorite_border

thumb_down_off_altSkip this if...

What users complain aboutheart_broken

Compare in seconds

Who wins on what

Versatile

Expensive

Dynamic response

Build quality

auto_awesomeOverall Impression

Yamaha Clavinova CLP-745From real comments

Buy this if...

What users love

Skip this if...

What users complain about

Overall Impression