A rare and historically important instrument, the RCA Storytone piano was built in 1939 in a joint venture between Story & Clark and RCA. The first American electric piano, it debuted at the 1939 World’s Fair. It has an art deco/streamline design that rivals that of the finest furniture of the era. The piano has normal strings and action but no soundboard — this Storytone has electromagnetic pickups and a speaker system, and its original tube amplifier and power supply. When amplified, it works especially well for sustained styles of playing, and sounds much more like a real piano than a Rhodes, Wurlitzer or Helpinstill, and fuller and thicker than a Yamaha CP-70 or Kawai EP-308. THE TUBE AMPLIFIER AND POWER SUPPLY ON THIS STORYTONE PIANO HAVE RECENTLY BEEN RESTORED, AND THE ELECTRONICS ARE FULLY FUNCTIONAL. However, the back board/cover on this Storytone is ripped off (cosmetic damage only, no functional effect on the instrument, and most people place the back of the piano against the wall anyway) — see attached pictures. We have another Storytone piano available for a few hundred dollars less that includes the original “standard” bench. We have it in a separate Reverb listing. We are open to “mixing and matching” certain parts between the two pianos.

Not to be missed! 1939 Story & Clark “Storytone” Electric Piano with original piano bench. Refinished and in stunning condition. It works perfectly and sounds exceptionally great for sustained styles of playing, as notes can last up to a minute or more with its unique form of resonance.

Extremely rare and historically important instrument, the RCA Storytone piano was built in 1939 in a joint venture between Story & Clark and RCA. Only 150 were believed to be made, even fewer exist today. This is the first commercially available electric piano, it first debuted at the 1939 World’s Fair. The case was designed by John Vassos, the famous American industrial designer and done so in an art deco design. This piano and bench are in all original condition, The piano has normal strings and action but no soundboard — the sound is amplified through electromagnetic pickups.