Rhodes Mark 7

[sunrobot]

Hi everyone,

I live in France and the rhodes mark 7 has only just started showing up in music shops over here.
Well, it's actually only available in one music shop in Paris at the moment, but it's only the beginning as there is proper distribution for it in france.
I actually tried one of the two available (both "s" models, the passive model).
I have to say that there is something quite emotional about being able to walk into a shop and play a brand new rhodes straight out of the factory!
The action and dynamic were really good, hardly any key bounce and the feel of the mark 7 is so different to my vintage mark 1 that it almost felt like playing a different type of instrument altogether.
I did actually enjoy playing it a lot and I'm very interested about the 73 midi version which should be available soon.
The mark 7 is quite expensive, but I don't think it's fair to compare its price to that of a vintage rhodes: we're talking about a brand new instrument and the key I think is to be able to buy it from a competent dealer that will be able to provide some maintenance and advice once you've bought it.That's what they seem to be trying to implement in France anyway.
The music shop in question is this one:Centre Chopin - le grand magasin du piano - pianos neufs - pianos d'occasion - pianos numériques - location - accessoires - Paris
Cheers.

[hungrydave]

Originally Posted by sunrobot

the key I think is to be able to buy it from a competent dealer that will be able to provide some maintenance and advice once you've bought it.That's what they seem to be trying to implement in France anyway.
.

Yes, this is the problem in the UK, arbiter went bust so we have to get them direct from the US factory, which means shipping costs and none of the benefits you mentioned. I'm completely torn about what to spend my money on, I've never been so unsure about a decision like this....

[sunrobot]

I know what you mean, it does make sense to try the rhodes mark 7 before you buy it.
However, I'm sure that buying it direct from the factory is not a suicidal move either, they do seem genuinely determined to offer a really great instrument, although you're probably going to have to make a few adjustments to the piano once you've got it.
I suppose that's OK if you know what to do, otherwise being able to take it to a technician without it being too much of a hassle is probably a good idea.
I don't think a rhodes will ever be perfect after it's come out of the factory and been shipped long distance, but then again I don't think they ever were.
The one I tried hadn't been looked at before it arrived in the shop, so it was literally straight out of the US factory and it did sound pretty good with a very even tone.
The french distributors are planning on training a "new generation" of rhodes technicians in order to provide decent maintenance to customers (I'm told that senior rhodes technicians such as Marcel Bourdon have already been approached to share their secrets).
Apparently, it's taken quite a long time to convince rhodes CEO Joe Brandstetter about the potential of the european market.

[vudoo]

hungrydave,

You really must sit down a few hours with one and then, you and only you, will know if this instrument is worth its asking price tag to you.
I've tried the new rhodes at my local dealer and on 2 other occasions while touring in the US and Europe. Each time, i played it for a good two hours. I was surprise to find so many issues with the piano ( most of them have been discussed here on the forum ).
One can blame transport, weather fluctuation...or whatever, but the fact that these new pianos are so unreliable is not very appealing. I hope all these problems can be fix with the next batch because, after spending 4-5 K for an instrument, the last thing i want is having to hire a tech and/or spending countless hours with Rhodes support to sort it out.....and we all know how unresponsise Rhodes are as a company.

[cheap softwere]

i think as the mark 7 has just come out, it will take a few months for all the faults to be attended to. who knows, the mark 8 might be the one to wait for. this is a new company and a new design, so they will obviously be a few problems.

[fjzingo@hotmail.]

Hi all

two clips from yesterday of the mark 7 recorded straight into imovie through a motu828mk3, Hi Z.

Only for you, please enjoy

YouTube - stella
YouTube - 7-11 on a Rhodes Mark7

/Fred

[The MPCist]

Originally Posted by fjzingo@hotmail.

Hi all

two clips from yesterday of the mark 7 recorded straight into imovie through a motu828mk3, Hi Z.

Only for you, please enjoy

YouTube - stella
YouTube - 7-11 on a Rhodes Mark7

/Fred

Thanks for posting it -- I just sat down in a cafe with my latte so listening to the songs was a treat...

[hungrydave]

Thanks for posting mate. Sounds nice. This is the model without the pre-amp right (S)?
I like your minimal style on stella.
If at all possible, could you at some point post an A/B comparison with, and without, your tube pre, i'd love to hear the difference as it could help in deciding whether to buy the pre amp (A) model or not. The S model sounds pretty nice to me on your vid, and i'm sure one can buy a cheaper pre amp than the one built into the model A.

Thanks

[hungrydave]

Just out of interest have any tall people tried the speaker cab (suitcase) for the mk7? It looks to me like the pedal might be a bit close for comfort for those of us with long legs. :-(

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by fjzingo@hotmail.

Hi all

two clips from yesterday of the mark 7 recorded straight into imovie through a motu828mk3, Hi Z.

Only for you, please enjoy

YouTube - stella
YouTube - 7-11 on a Rhodes Mark7

/Fred

Love those videos, great playing.

It seems like something happens to the tone above the breakpoint around B above middle C. It gets thin and sort of plasticky as compared to the almost old school warmth of the lower register. Where is the bell component?

Just my 2 bits.

-R

[Jenzz]

Hi .-)

The hammertip hardness changes at the a# / b transition (just as on the 'old' models). The harder hammertips adds this bell component. I din't thought that you will hear that on an brandnew piano... This 'bell-effect' is mostly known from pianos with old, worn-out hammertips. But to my ears, it's acceptable, not too annoying.

Jenzz

[fjzingo@hotmail.]

Glad you liked the videos, the hammertip thing was quite interesting since I reacted quite abit to that myself while playing. It kind of gives you a quite sharp attack when soloing thet cuts in a dense mix. I will experiment a bit with the voicing.

I'll see if I can do some recordings with the preamp, else I think I wil use it on a gig at Kom bar in Gothenburg sweden 31st october.

/Fredrik

CANTALOOP on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Videos
Fredrik Zetterberg on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Videos

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by Jenzz

Hi .-)

The hammertip hardness changes at the a# / b transition (just as on the 'old' models). The harder hammertips adds this bell component. I din't thought that you will hear that on an brandnew piano... This 'bell-effect' is mostly known from pianos with old, worn-out hammertips. But to my ears, it's acceptable, not too annoying.

Jenzz

It's not just the lack of a bell component, it's a lack of tone depth in general. And a very abrupt transition.

-R

[Sounds Great]

Yes, it sounds very good. But, I noticed something missing in the "punch". I'm thinking old Stevie Wonder.

Maybe if someone could give the piano to Wonder for a few days?

[Sounds Great]

Is this the active or the passive model in the video?

[fjzingo@hotmail.]

Stevie is getting a midi one from what I heard so he has to wait.....

I've got the passive one.

/Fred

[hungrydave]

Wooh, talking about stevie, i just made the exact bass sound from 'too high' on arturia minimoog and have done a keysplit with my nord rhodes. Now i just need the phaser vocal (and too be able to sing). Wicked fun :-)
If anyone uses arturia moog i'll happilly email the preset..

[vudoo]

Ok, i got a spanking new Rhodes Mk7 ( passive 73 keys ) at my studio. Hopefully this one does not exhibit any of the problems i found with the demo model i've tried. Will report back soon !

[Football]

Haven't owned a Rhodes in many years but I listened to "Stella" and do not like what I'm hearing thus far from this one example.

[cheap softwere]

i think it sounds great........although it would sound much better through a twin or something similar. rhodes dont usually sound great direct, they at least need a pre amp.

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by RKrizman

Love those videos, great playing.

It seems like something happens to the tone above the breakpoint around B above middle C. It gets thin and sort of plasticky as compared to the almost old school warmth of the lower register. Where is the bell component?

Just my 2 bits.

-R

Agreed - there is a noticeable difference - my Mark I is nowhere near as prominent WRT register changes as in that example. I expect using an amp and a bit of 'hair' would help soften the 'plasticy' sound of the upper register.

OT - I need a good tech to setup my Mark I - tho the axe is in beaut condition, there's too many years gone by with no technician's love. I wish there was one close by (Toronto) as shipping is just crazy expensive...

[fjzingo@hotmail.]

I like how it's setup but wouldnt mind a little smoother transition, Freddan from supersite just called me and we willl look into different voicings and other adjustments. He has put two hours into it already.

And yes a rhodes sounds different through an amp, I wanted to give you DI so you know what you get actually all these pianos have an individual sound.

I usually use speakeasy road box and vintage preamp...sounds great on my markII.

/Fred

[PlayRadioPlay]

Is it just me, or do these things sound sterile and lifeless compared to a good, old fashion, vintage Rhodes??

[fjzingo@hotmail.]

Originally Posted by PlayRadioPlay

Is it just me, or do these things sound sterile and lifeless compared to a good, old fashion, vintage Rhodes??

It's just you

Some rhodese sound crap some sound beautiful......one thing is sure whatever RHodes you get you have to adjust it to you're likings:

/Fred

[fjzingo@hotmail.]

Originally Posted by PlugHead

Agreed - there is a noticeable difference - my Mark I is nowhere near as prominent WRT register changes as in that example. I expect using an amp and a bit of 'hair' would help soften the 'plasticy' sound of the upper register.

OT - I need a good tech to setup my Mark I - tho the axe is in beaut condition, there's too many years gone by with no technician's love. I wish there was one close by (Toronto) as shipping is just crazy expensive...

Have a look at youtube, vintagevibe have made numerous of videos on how to service you're rhodes-theyre excellent. You might be able to do it yourself.

see example below

YouTube - Fender Rhodes Piano Repair: Tine Tone Bar Set Up

Fred

[RKrizman]

Originally Posted by PlayRadioPlay

Is it just me, or do these things sound sterile and lifeless compared to a good, old fashion, vintage Rhodes??

It's not just you. I've always maintained that if they didn't go back and capture that pre-1975 sound then the new product would be a miss. Listen to some old Joe Sample, or Earth, Wind & Fire doing "Way of the World" or Stevie Wonder puttin it down on "I Wish".

-R

[xist]

Originally Posted by fjzingo@hotmail.

Hi all

two clips from yesterday of the mark 7 recorded straight into imovie through a motu828mk3, Hi Z.

/Fred

I like the playing, but please, give your new toy a bit of amp electric love, it deserves it

[PlugHead]

Originally Posted by fjzingo@hotmail.

Have a look at youtube, vintagevibe have made numerous of videos on how to service you're rhodes-theyre excellent. You might be able to do it yourself.

see example below

YouTube - Fender Rhodes Piano Repair: Tine Tone Bar Set Up

Fred

Thank you! Great to have some resource material to reference - I'm sure this will help me immensely. thumbsupthumbsup

[fjzingo@hotmail.]

Originally Posted by xist

I like the playing, but please, give your new toy a bit of amp electric love, it deserves it

later this week

[xist]

cool, sent u a pm a few days ago :-)