Rare Vintage Kawai PH50 Keyboard Piano Synth Synthesiser Japan 80s (1989)

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.

Keyboard is in good cosmetic condition considering its age on the top panel but the underneath panel is tatty.

Release date 1989 (cannot guarantee this exact year but 2 sources I looked up gave this year)

There is a 4 inch crack in the plastic at the back (see photo) but unlikely to cause any problems.

One of the keys is raised up higher than it should but still works.

There is a power supply included.

After testing extensively I can conclude all the keys still work but the vast majority of the voices play very unreliably. Either there is no sound, or a faint sound or the voice plays on certain keys only and not others.

Some of the voices just sound 'wrong'

The rhythm presets also give off a strange sound, so one or more of the sound chips/components need attention.

These symptoms can also change on the same voice.

This is a rare keyboard but I have found another one online for £240 hence I'm selling this for the price I am. It's likely a keyboard enthusiast can repair this keyboard and get it sounding good again.

See screenshots of the manual for features, it also has MIDI functionality (midi function untested)

Please see the output from chatgpt below for more details

The Kawai PH50 is a unique keyboard with several notable features:

- **Keyboard**: It has 49 keys.

- **Polyphony**: The PH50 offers 16 notes of polyphony.

- **Preset Patches**: There are 200 preset patches available.

- **Preset Performances**: The keyboard includes 50 preset performances.

- **Rhythms**: It comes with 30 rhythms in its ROM.

- **Multitimbral Capability**: The PH50 is a 16 voice multitimbral preset synthesizer.

- **Built-in Features**: It includes a rhythm section and MIDI compatibility.

- **Interface and Controls**: The keyboard features a menu-based interface with an LED display. It also has a joystick for control.

- **Physical Dimensions**: It measures 77 cm x 29 cm x 7 cm and weighs 3.7 kg.

- **Power Options**: The PH50 can be powered by a DC12V 500mA negative tip (PS121) or 6 C batteries.

Additionally, the Kawai PH50 is essentially a Kawai K1 II with built-in speakers, providing preset sounds and drum patterns. The multitimbral patch selection and volume are editable, and the unit does not have an arpeggiator or effects, but it does have a preset drum machine and a joystick for pitch bend and modulation.

The Kawai PH50 keyboard is special due to a combination of factors:

1. **Synthesizer Soundset**: It incorporates the soundset of the Kawai K1 synthesizer, which is known for its distinctive sounds. This makes the PH50 not just a regular keyboard but also a synthesizer with a range of unique tones.

2. **Home User Package**: The PH50 is essentially a Kawai K1 in a package designed for home users, making it more accessible and user-friendly for non-professional musicians.

3. **Unique Sound Characteristics**: The encoding of its sounds, particularly in the higher register when combined with pitch bend, gives it a unique quality. The sounds tend to be grainier, adding a distinctive character to the music produced.

4. **Multiple Layers and Splits**: The PH50 shines in its ability to layer up to four different sounds in various combinations. This includes detuned layers, transposed layers, and transposed splits, offering a wide range of creative possibilities.

5. **Built-in Features**: It includes built-in stereo speakers and a rhythm section, adding to its versatility as a standalone instrument.

6. **Joystick Control**: The inclusion of a joystick for pitch and modulation control adds an extra dimension to the expressiveness and playability of the keyboard.

7. **Compact and Portable**: With its relatively compact dimensions and lightweight design, the PH50 is portable and suitable for various settings, from home studios to live performances.

These features make the Kawai PH50 a special and versatile keyboard, appealing to both enthusiasts and professionals who appreciate its unique sound qualities and functional versatility

The Kawai PH50 keyboard has been sold for various prices in the second-hand market in the UK. One listing showed it priced at £300, which was down from an initial listing of £550. Another listing had it at a new price of £286.87 plus shipping. These prices indicate that the value can vary significantly depending on the condition of the keyboard and the seller​​​​.

It's important to note that the market for second-hand musical instruments can fluctuate.