Kawai EP-608

The 608 is an amplified electric/acoustic piano, which has a built in tremolo effect and a 3 tone selector, what seems to be 3 mode EQ.

It's very heavy and v\very similar in concept to the Yamaha CP-60M;
built in piezzo pickup and amplification.

The Kawai EP608 "features" only one string per note, not like a real piano which has 1 string for the lowest keys, 2 for the middle ones and 3 for the upper ones. This means that the sound is very thin compared to acoustic pianos, and also compared to the Yamaha CP pianos, which have one string for the lower keys and two for the upper. This make the 608 sound more Rhodes like and less piano like. I'd describe the sound as somewhere between Rhodes and Clavinet, or a very thin CP 60/70/80. Do not expect a CP sound, it sounds different. It has its own character, no other electric piano seems to sound similar.

The fact that is has only one string per note seems to affect the way the hammers stike the strings - almost every key you strike seems to double strike, which makes it a bit annoying to use as you almost never get a "flat", piano sound.

If you're after an electroacoustic piano, which sounds like a piano
(or classic electrioc piano) - then the Yamaha CP 60/70/80 is what you should look for. I was about to purchase a EP608 till I came across a Yamaha CP60M which is a LOT better !! That one is beautifully sounding, constructed and has MID out, EQ and tremolo.

But if you're after a distinctive and different sounding electroacoustic piano which has it's own character - the 608 is worth checking out.

I give it 9 for sound - not because it doesn't sound great but because of its limitations and artifacts.

I don't own one, but was looking for one till I got my CP-60M.

The one I checked out had what seems to be a problem. As you go up from the low keys to the upper ones the sounds gets more and more weak till you can hardly hear anything when striking the most upper notes. It may be related with the fact that it has only one string per note, but it looked to me like it had some problem.

The case is made of plastic and doesn't keep in a good shape unless you take much care of it. The Yamaha CP's seems to be much more well constructed and robust.

It's a REAL PIANO on the inside and it therefor has hammers, and plays exactly like a real piano (BECAUSE IT IS ONE). I bought it used, put it in the boot (it just fit half hanging out the back) and away i went. sets up easy enough, and packs away even more easily. I had been looking for a rhodes for sometime and settled on this (as in Australia rhodes are incredibly rare). It was simple to hook into my effect peddles, and even easier to an amp and power outlet.

No midi, but hey its around 10-15 years old, so come on. i still gave it a ten as it is a full on piano, and then when you plug it in it's a fully responsive electric piano. it has 3 sounds, and youa are able to mix and match and overlay them ontop of each other. the tremelo is wonderful, and with the stereo ouytputs can be made into a rotery speaker. it is unmatchable by any digital keyboard, as it is an actual piano inside. My friend has a Roland Fantom, and when he comes to jam he prefers to use my piano! need i say more

IT'S A REAL PIANO YOU CAN'T GET ANY BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was out of tune when i got it, but i that was so easy to fix, and other than that it was perfect.

Never had to use them. but i got a manuel off the net easily enough so i guess that was good enough

COnsidering i bought it fot $450 Australian, and i have seen them sell for as high as $1800 without a problem i am overjoyed with my purchase if it were stolen i would cry for a while. then begin saving up for another one.

The only thing better in my eyes, is a real grand piano, or a rhodes.

But hey this is the best e-piano you will ever find

If any one wants they can e-mail me i did a lot of research on these things before i purchased and i can send u mp3's of what it sounds like pluged in and acoustic

so feel free to e-mail me

i was thinking about giving a 10 or a 9 instead cause of the needed tuning, but it is so simple (just one chord and one skew for every key) that i select a full 10. Easy to carry (and also to mount and dismount), easy to use, easy to cable.

3 sounds settings, i would have been appreciate one more setting, maybe more electric-wurlitzer like. But...ok...i can achieve that sound through effects. Polyphony and touch sensitivity is veeeery good. Those hammers strikes as in a real piano, the identical same way. No midi, but this is good, no bullshit on-board. Tremolo is fantastic, it becames a rotary effect with stereo output, sustain pedal (very long!) and send/return for effects. perfect.

This is THE sound, or better, HIS sound. Nothing else like that. Personally i like it so much, try before you buy. Rich of bass and warmth, but very clean and bright at the same time.

I depend on it as a heroin-addicted. I use it for my ususally gig in a wine-bar (one-twice a week) where we play old rockblues cover (greatful dead, velvet underground, wilco and similar) and also in my own studio where i'm trying to register a indie-post-rock album (something like radiohead style). Very strong. Please God keep it working :)

i've asked them where to obtain/buy the original manual and they have sent me (the day after) a full pdf. Perfect!

this is the only piano unit i own. and no needs to have something else. Yes, it could be compared with yamaha pianos, but i prefer it, i have a virago from yamaha and it is enough :)
It has helped me a lot for making music, i suggest you to try it if you can find out one, cause they are getting rare.

You should know a little about pianos before you start because it will need to tune it and since youprobably bought it used, you'll have to open up the action and pull out old pencils etc. I guess I'd give it a ten if I had had a piano tuner do intitial repairs. Set up and play is real simple. The built-in pre-amp sounds great. I want to try it through an amp modeler, but as of now I've only used a boss chorus pedal.

Its a real piano polyphony is all 76 keys at once.
Preamp sounds great. 3 different sounds. 1 is kind of straight piano, 2 sounds a little like a wurlitzer and 3 is sort of like an electric harpsichord. I use all three at different times.
THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR REAL PIANO ACTION!

Similar to the YAMAHA CP-70 line but much cooler looking and lighter to carry.

Listen, its got strings and hammers, obviously it sounds better than any digital instrument. Vibrations are real, the percussive sound of the hammer striking actually matches the feel in your fingers.

I've only had it a few days. But I'd gig with it without a back-up.

I called KAWAI to try and get an extra set of strings, they told me who to talk to and I left him a message. That was yesterday. We'll see if he calls back. They offered me the original manual for $12.50. They should give me a free PDF version.

I LOVE IT, I'd choose it over a digital keyboard anyday. If I could gig with a concert grand piano with helpinstill pick-ups I'd choose it first. But for local bars and a tiny rehearsal studio, I love my Kawai.

This is an electric piano in the old sense of the word: strings instead of samples! It can be seen as the upright Kawai version of the famous Yamaha CP70/80.

It has a built in pre-amp so the only thing you should do is set it up, and plug it in [either a guitar amp or a regular keyboard amp will do]

This is a real piano and it plays like a real one! The key action is relatively light and fast. It has 75 keys. There is a built-in vibrato, with variable speed and depth. 3 EQ characteristics can be chosen, but the 2 brighter ones sound useless to me.

But the main feature is the portability: it is very cleverly designed, everything folds into one big Samsonite-like case on wheels. Easy to move!

The sound is pretty hard to describe, but very close to the Yamaha CPs [think Phil Collins' Groovy Kind of Love, Toto's Hold the Line]. It sounds a bit brighter, and a bit more acoustic. As said, the keyboard feel is first class, and this makes the piano play much more dynamic than most modern e-pianos. The sustain is very long. The sustain pedal is connected to the piano with a cable [like on bike handbrakes!] and feels a bit spongy.

The main thing is: don't expect a normal piano sound. This is an instrument in it's own style!

Totally reliable. There is nothing to go wrong with it. It is easy to tune, with only one string per key. Mine is from '84 [as far as I know] and it still plays and looks like a dream

never needed support.

If it would be stolen [which is unlikely because it still weighs 60kg, and folding everything in takes some minutes] I would not be very happy, because these things are very rare! It is an instrument with a very different look and a very different sound. It is unique. I love it.