Vintage Stage Piano: Retro Design, Cool Sound

Since a real vintage electric piano is expensive and maintenance-intensive, digital stage keyboards or pianos dedicated to vintage sounds are a great practical alternative.
If a vintage look is important to you, you can choose from a variety of stage pianos with a retro design.
A special highlight is the Vintage Vibe Piano, which has a real electromagnetic sound generator.

Korg SV-1: Vintage Electric Piano Played Live — (Image Source: Korg)

Some vintage digital pianos command collector’s prices. This is especially true of electro-mechanical pianos from the ’60s and ’70s, which are sought-after rarities today. But that is not the only reason why a vintage stage piano in a retro design is an attractive alternative…

If you want a well-preserved or restored example with good playing characteristics, a vintage electric piano like a Fender Rhodes or a Wurlitzer 200A is more than just expensive. Vintage electric pianos are both prone to repair and quite bulky due to their heavy weight.

If you are looking for a reliable instrument with modern features, a digital solution is the way to go. You can choose between electric piano VSTs for your audio computer or vintage stage pianos.

Learn more about the original vintage electric pianos of the ’60s and ’70s.

nord-electro-6d — The drawbar version of the Nord Electro 6 has a waterfall keyboard, which is good for organ sounds. For piano playing, however, the Nord Electro 6 HP version is recommended. (Image Source: Clavia)

Vintage Keyboard vs. Vintage Stage Piano

However, early retro models often had an “organ-like” sound due to their waterfall keyboards. Original Hammond organs were the reference here, but unfortunately, the waterfall keys are less inspiring for playing piano sounds. Only the successor, the HP – Hammer Action Portable, was the answer to pianists’ needs: a 73-note hammer action keyboard with a lightweight design.

The introduction of the Nord Electro marked the start of a new genre. While other manufacturers are now catering to this market as well, Nord remains the top dog in this niche. The current model Nord Electro 6 is available in two drawbar versions and a 73-HP version.

Korg also entered the retro stage piano genre with the SV-1 Stage Vintage Piano. With its retro design, real tube features, and detailed sampled sounds, it brings the old originals back to life.

Vintage Vibe Piano

The Vintage Vibe Piano is an exceptional instrument: It is the only vintage stage piano that is a true electric piano with electromechanical sound generation. Modeled after the Fender Rhodes, the Vintage Vibe Piano features wooden keys and a tine/tonebar sound generation.

The American manufacturer Vintage Vibe specializes in the repair and restoration of vintage keyboards and offers spare parts for Rhodes, Wurlitzer, and Clavinet. Moreover, the company has also been building their own instruments for many years.

The Vintage Vibe piano is not a 1:1 replica of the Fender Rhodes, as some details have been redesigned to reduce weight. The case has a unique shape and is available in many different designs. A Vintage Vibe piano with a sparkling top is a real eye-catcher on stage!

Vintage Stage Pianos – Product Recommendations

Viscount Legend '70s

The Viscount Legend ’70s is a vintage stage piano with a modular design. The physically modeled electric piano sounds are outstanding and have an amazingly realistic dynamic sound.

Korg SV-2 - Tube-Driven Digital Vintage Sounds

A built-in tube provides a warm drive. The Korg Stage Vintage features detailed piano sounds and authentic effects. It is available with either a 73- or 88-note keyboard and as an “S” model with built-in speakers.

Yamaha reface CP - The World's Smallest Vintage Piano

With mini keys and a small design, this is the digital piano for small gigs. Thanks to its MIDI interface, it can also be used as a piano module, making it an interesting addition to a keyboard setup.

Nord Stage - The Stage Piano Allrounder

Compared to the Nord Electro, the Stage is a professional stage piano. In addition to the organ and piano sections, it also has an analog modeling synth and extensive MIDI keyboard functions.

Crumar Seven - Italian Vintage Cult

A real vintage flashback in design – the Crumar Seven offers Rhodes, Wurlitzer & Co. And as a transportable instrument, it is built right into the case – chrome feet included!

Yamaha CP Series

The Yamaha CP73 and CP88 stage pianos sure look like vintage instruments. While their concept is really that of a classic stage piano with three sound groups, there is still a good selection of vintage electric piano sounds to choose from.

Vintage Stage Keyboards – Product Recommendations

Nord Electro - Stage Keyboard with Organs and Pianos

With the Nord Electro series, the Swedish manufacturer hit the nail on the head. Even the first model impressed us with the realistic sounds of Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer, and Hammond B3.

Vox Continental - The Sound of the Doors

A Vox Continental and a Rhodes bass – that’s the sound of the iconic band The Doors. The new Vox Continental Stage Keyboard, however, has a completely modern design and delivers iconic organ and vintage piano sounds in convincing quality.