A rare and historically important instrument, the RCA Storytone piano was built in 1939 in a joint venture between Story & Clark and RCA. The case was designed by John Vassos, the famous American industrial designer. This piano is one of only 150 made and comes with it's original bench. It is the world's first electric piano, and it debuted at the 1939 World's Fair, which was truly a great event for musical instruments -- the similarly famous Hammond Novachord, the world's first polyphonic tube synthesizer, debuted there in 1939 as well.
This piano has been fully serviced and beautifully restored. The piano has normal strings and action but no soundboard -- the sound is amplified through electromagnetic pickups, circuitry and a speaker system, making it the world's first commercial electric piano. It works especially well for sustained styles of playing, as notes can last up to a minute or more with its unique form of resonance. It sounds more authentic and much more like a real piano than a Rhodes, Wurlitzer or Helpinstill, and sounds richer, fuller, and thicker than a Yamaha CP-70 or Kawai EP-308. It really is the king of all electric pianos, save for portability. Even better, its art deco/streamline design rivals that of the finest furniture of the era. This piano has been refinished and restored and is in excellent functional and cosmetic condition. It also comes with its original bench, which has also been refinished, reupholstered, and restored.
