Features  
Keyboard 61 keys
Year Made 1980
Original List Price $?
Polyphony 7
Mulitimberal 3
Tones & Patches 6 presets
Type of Synthesis Analogue string & Synth sections, Basic FM for organ section
Effects ensemble
Sequencer or Arpeggio none
Drum Sets none
MIDI none
Outputs 1 Out, Leslie interface
Backup none
Options

 
My Comments
This was never even on my radar till one day searching for CS Yamaha's. It slowly grew in my periphery and then one auction I just jumped on it. The auction cost me just over 150$, but the shipping was almost 300. I can see why though it weighs about 53lbs! So all in, this was still only about 500$. On North American sites they are closer to 1500$. It may not be the Yamaha I wanted (there is a CS-50 near me for 5K! but it's 5K!), but it was the Yamaha I could afford. So although it is not a full featured synth, I did think it could be really cool. It has a string section, an organ section, and a basic synth section. I think you can use all 3 sections together. The organ section is early FM technology, apparently. I am anxiously awaiting it getting here, it is taking so long!

Although not technically the first non-Roland keyboard I've had, it is the first one in a very long time. So I have been playing with it for a few days and can quickly see it's strengths and shortcomings. So first off, unfortunately, there are a few things that aren't working. For some reason the Vibrato, Tremolo and preset 3 for the organ are not working. The next thing I will mention is having the 3 sections (well really 2 sections) is pretty cool and being able to split them (upper or lower) is pretty cool. It is not the split point I would have chose, but it is what it is. The organ section is pretty straight forward, and sounds pretty good. It is a pretty tame sound but I guess it is what I would expect from the 80's. The string section and synth section are linked (the decay and sustain, ensemble tremolo and vibrato effect both when on) except for the volume in the mixer and the presets. Whith ensemble the strings make me think of that Roland RS sound. The synth section is quite limited, but again it is expected with a combo unit like this, from this era. Basically you have control over the waveform (in combination with the range) and the filter. Again nothing terribly aggressive. Mostly it can do some nice analogue faux brass sounds. With cutoff and resonance controls you can make some interesting sounds. And the string and synth section are paraphonic. Meaning that if you hold a note and play other notes the envelope will not re-trigger till all notes are released. Bottom line is this is limited, but can do many things well. I would say it excels at pads, and the organ will do nicely as basses. It just isn't aggressive enough for most leads, but again depending on the situation may do nicely. For it's time it was a nice all-rounder. I really enjoy playing this and makes me want to pursue more Yamaha's in the future.
I rate it 
I bought it for 150 $ (523$ with shipping) c
I owned it from May 2023- present
Current PrePay value n/a
condition of my keyboards
cosmetically  It has been well used.

electronically There are a few electronic issues. Namely the tremolo and Vibrato

Status
2023: Set up in my media room for now.

 
Resources

I will have to look for some.