Rhodes Mark 7 - Page 3

Sounds Great · 25th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by The MPCist

This whole waiting thing is a bit disheartening.... There is only so long people can be excited about something before the opposite starts happening.

It matters not.

Once they hit the market, the past is gone. From there, the excitement level will build or not depending on the merit of the product itself, as reported from reviews and users. People bitching and moaning on the internet prior to that will be of no consequence.

Infa · 25th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

It matters not.

Once they hit the market, the past is gone. From there, the excitement level will build or not depending on the merit of the product itself, as reported from reviews and users. People bitching and moaning on the internet prior to that will be of no consequence.

Usually your right about such a thing, but dude, over 2 YEARS of telling dealers they will "be shipping tomorrow" is ridiculous you have to admit. And the way they handling communication also is very reflective of how they may do business as well.

Add them two things together, and well, never before has a product been a "successful" one after all that.

All they have to do is communicate with their emails and phone calls. THATS IT. But they don't. So what kind of company is that ?

I hope they read this thread and it causes them to PULL THEIR HEADS OUT OF THEIR A$$'s and do some actual pre-sales customer service communication like any other normal SUCCESSFUL company does or has done in the past in similar circumstances.

For us to be loyal customers to them, they should show us they can be a loyal company to us.

Name one time in history before that a company acted like this pre-release to their hyped product and the product was a success... Name one. (and it has to be over 2 years of telling dealers it will be "shipping soon" AND combined with not ever answering one single email from anyone trying to contact them from their own site they put up, along with no phone number !!)

Man simply put that is inexcusable and I think you know it too. I agree though, like you I want to defend their actions because I am so happy about the product's possibilities... BUT it is still no excuse for them to act worse than George Bush's Katrina aid towards their possible future customers (us) and their "new product".

Sounds Great · 25th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infa

Usually your right about such a thing, but dude, over 2 YEARS of telling dealers they will "be shipping tomorrow" is ridiculous you have to admit. And the way they handling communication also is very reflective of how they may do business as well.

Add them two things together, and well, never before has a product been a "successful" one after all that.

All they have to do is communicate with their emails and phone calls. THATS IT. But they don't. So what kind of company is that ?

I hope they read this thread and it causes them to PULL THEIR HEADS OUT OF THEIR A$$'s and do some actual pre-sales customer service communication like any other normal SUCCESSFUL company does or has done in the past in similar circumstances.

For us to be loyal customers to them, they should show us they can be a loyal company to us.

Name one time in history before that a company acted like this pre-release to their hyped product and the product was a success... Name one. (and it has to be over 2 years of telling dealers it will be "shipping soon" AND combined with not ever answering one single email from anyone trying to contact them from their own site they put up, along with no phone number !!)

Man simply put that is inexcusable and I think you know it too. I agree though, like you I want to defend their actions because I am so happy about the product's possibilities... BUT it is still no excuse for them to act worse than George Bush's Katrina aid towards their possible future customers (us) and their "new product".

I'm not disagreeing with you that it is being handled poorly. I'm just saying in the big scheme of things, it will be a rather small footnote in history if the piano turns out to be a big success. Or failure.

Thebassist · 25th January 2009

The Rhodes piano is already a huge success in history!

If there was really such a need to improve the thing, why are people still so crazed about them? There's a reason that even programs like Reason have a Rhodes preset right next to the grand piano.

Like my Alabama gramma used to say, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

Infa · 26th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sounds Great

I'm not disagreeing with you that it is being handled poorly. I'm just saying in the big scheme of things, it will be a rather small footnote in history if the piano turns out to be a big success. Or failure.

Yea, that is true. We will probably (hopefully) be laughing at this thread next year as we are all happily playing our new Rhodes 7's !!! Wuuuuu Huuuuu !!

SO hey, lets get on another note, a more positive one....

Lets start talking about the versions, accessories and colors we will be getting and why.

Color:

For me, I am torn between the Black or the White, and as far as "Road Touch" or "Glossy" I have to physically see the difference to help me decide that one. But I know for sure I am not getting the Red. To me it is too flashy and just plain not "Rhodes" feeling to me.

Version:

I am pretty sure I will get the A Series. Unless someone explains to me more a good reason to get Midi for a Rhodes. Personally I don't like the LCD Screen on the AM Series. A Rhodes Piano just shouldn't have a screen on it in my opinion. It just makes it look non-Rhodesy... lol. But I would sacrifice that feeling for a good enough reason to have Midi on it. But I know for me, I do not want to trigger anything Midi from this new Rhodes. Thats what I got a cheap Midi controller for.

Size:

I THINK I will get the 73 Key. 88 key is what I like for a controller and a grand piano, but on a Rhodes, man you never use them super lows or super highs, they sound weird. JMO. But anything under 73 key is too small and not enough range. IMO

Accessories:

No Accessories for me. That stand looks stupid.

Speaker:

Will these have a actual "output" on them ? (hopefully)? So you can just plug them into a Pre, and/or directly record them like that ? Like a electric guitar. Because if so, I will be getting No Speaker. I mean whats the purpose of the speaker other than nostalgia ? Or does anyone feel you would get a actual better sound Mic'ing it with the Speaker/Amp like the old days ?

goldphinga · 26th January 2009

For me the bottom line is not whether they answer the emails but if they deliver a worthy product and i believe they will. The reason i think its taken so long to come to production is that the logistics involved, the costs (credit crunch too) and many other factors must have added up and held things back. Rhodes are very complex beasts to manufacture (iots of precision moulding and work that has to be done by trained hands and eyes and ears) and i wonder how big the team is getting them into production. Also, from what ive read none of the production is outsourced, its firmly made completely in the US which is good.

Im sure that the original shipping dates moved when Rhodes realised what a huge undertaking it is to make a Rhodes thats improved whilst bearing in mind they are rebuilding a classic and i dont envy them! However, im over the moon that my favourite instrument is being remanufactured and i believe they will be worth the money.

In terms of finish and keysize im going for a black roadtouch finish 73 with the silver stand, active with midi. Midi will be useful for me on gigs..i could create a zone for my moog LP to play in the top octave which will be great, amongst other things..an 88 is too big to carry for me..

Also cant wait to hear what Jim Williams' pre sounds like. Bet its incredible. The tone controls in the old Rhodes arent the best!As for the speaker platform, id consider that a luxury for gigging musos with a road crew but for a studio based Rhodes its great.

GYang · 27th January 2009

Rhodes with MIDI is exactly what I'm looking for.
Key point is sound, so they still tweak it, I guess.

Football · 27th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dergerd

Hey everybody

I followed the discussion with great interest, since I'm one of the quite unsatisfied pre-order customers of the new Mark 7 (ordered in September 2007)

I had the chance to play the prototypes at the trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany. And I talked to one of the engineers. When I asked him about the shipment, he assured me, that the first shipment would leave in November 2008, he said "you'll have your intrument till christmas". (that was in May 2008). He also told me about the difficulties to "get it right" and I understand that the rhodes is a rhodes and has to sound and behave like a rhodes. So they probably get a lot of "advice" on whats wrong.

To make it short, of course I haven't got it, yet. I really hope that the february date ist correct and that they finally start delivering, since they make no effort in communicating with their customers, even phone calls are not answered, no NAMM updates on their website, no email updates - nothing.

This is all really annoying, although I probably won't be paying as much as future customers in store.

bye - Gerd

Quite lame indeed.

goldphinga · 27th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trp

I don´t think they have distributors besides Yamaha for Japan, yet, do they?

I´d be surprised if they start to ship next month, at least to Europe.

Arbiter are the distributor for the UK. Things are a happening..

Sounds Great · 27th January 2009

I would go with the dull black, 88 keys, custom speaker and electronics, probably non-midi.

I had an 88 key suitcase model for many years in my youth. thumbsup

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infa

Yea, that is true. We will probably (hopefully) be laughing at this thread next year as we are all happily playing our new Rhodes 7's !!! Wuuuuu Huuuuu !!

SO hey, lets get on another note, a more positive one....

Lets start talking about the versions, accessories and colors we will be getting and why.

Color:

For me, I am torn between the Black or the White, and as far as "Road Touch" or "Glossy" I have to physically see the difference to help me decide that one. But I know for sure I am not getting the Red. To me it is too flashy and just plain not "Rhodes" feeling to me.

Version:

I am pretty sure I will get the A Series. Unless someone explains to me more a good reason to get Midi for a Rhodes. Personally I don't like the LCD Screen on the AM Series. A Rhodes Piano just shouldn't have a screen on it in my opinion. It just makes it look non-Rhodesy... lol. But I would sacrifice that feeling for a good enough reason to have Midi on it. But I know for me, I do not want to trigger anything Midi from this new Rhodes. Thats what I got a cheap Midi controller for.

Size:

I THINK I will get the 73 Key. 88 key is what I like for a controller and a grand piano, but on a Rhodes, man you never use them super lows or super highs, they sound weird. JMO. But anything under 73 key is too small and not enough range. IMO

Accessories:

No Accessories for me. That stand looks stupid.

Speaker:

Will these have a actual "output" on them ? (hopefully)? So you can just plug them into a Pre, and/or directly record them like that ? Like a electric guitar. Because if so, I will be getting No Speaker. I mean whats the purpose of the speaker other than nostalgia ? Or does anyone feel you would get a actual better sound Mic'ing it with the Speaker/Amp like the old days ?

dergerd · 27th January 2009

Nice to hear some positive vibes after me getting all negative

I ordered the 73 key A-Model in glossy white. I won't buy the stand (300,- is too much) and I also can't afford the speaker platform, although I think it will sound great.

But what kind of speaker combination would be good for a rhodes in a home(studio) environment? A seperate tweeter + subwoofer setup? I haven't owned or played one yet, so maybe some experts can shed some light on this?

Quote:

Arbiter are the distributor for the UK. Things are a happening..

Where did you get that info from? The official website only shows the japanese distributor.

Thanks - Gerd

goldphinga · 28th January 2009

Rhodes Pianos - arbiter.co.uk

dubrichie · 29th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by dergerd

But what kind of speaker combination would be good for a rhodes in a home(studio) environment? A seperate tweeter + subwoofer setup? I haven't owned or played one yet, so maybe some experts can shed some light on this?

Thanks - Gerd

a vintage Fender guitar amp, or any high quality new guitar amp, such as certain Fenders currently manufactured and many other "boutique" ones.

my own personal favourite amp these days is the Swart AST.

dergerd · 30th January 2009

Thanks dubrichie,

but I wouldn't need a preamp, because I ordered the active model. I would just need active speakers or a power-amplifier /passive speaker combination. Or am I wrong on this?

dubrichie · 30th January 2009

sure, any of those approaches will work.

it all depends on what kind of sound you want to get out of the Rhodes.

my preference is for a slightly overdriven tube guitar amp because that is the classic Rhodes sound that i love.

you can use any kind of amp and speakers you like, each combination of which will give you a different sound.

just plug it into a whopper big PA and it'll be loud, clear and clean.

or hey, go nuts and plug it into an Ampeg SVT-VR and the SVT-810! that would probably sound pretty damn bad ass!

dergerd · 30th January 2009

okay, this sounds like fun

Can't wait to play around with the sound. Thanks

Jazzooo · 30th January 2009

"I mean whats the purpose of the speaker other than nostalgia ? Or does anyone feel you would get a actual better sound Mic'ing it with the Speaker/Amp like the old days ?"

My opinion: having the speakers fire into your crotch was one of the best things about the old suitcases. You were monitoring it without monitors, and the sensation was as physical as playing an acoustic grand.

orange · 30th January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by goldphinga

Arbiter are the distributor for the UK. Things are a happening..

I think arbiter have just gone bust so I wouldn't hold your breath

The Beatsmith · 30th January 2009

LOL

sorry.

Trp · 31st January 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by orange

I think arbiter have just gone bust so I wouldn't hold your breath

Right on: Arbiter Group to close | musicradar.com

Quote: "...instrument distributors the Arbiter Group is closing with immediate effect."

goldphinga · 31st January 2009

If this is true about arbiter then its a really sad day. They have been very good to me and distributed two brands in the UK that are very close to my musical heart-Rhodes and Moog.

What this means for Rhodes and Moog in the UK i dont know but i sincerely hope someone steps in and takes over asap.

My best goes to all the great staff there that have lost there jobs if this indeed turns out to be true...

dergerd · 3rd February 2009

Hey everyone. News from Rhodes. I had a long talk with Joe Brandstetter yesterday after requiring some information on my order status in an email. He called back and I told him what I thought about Rhodes' communication policy. He understood that many customers are concerned but that they are too few people and most of the time too much involved in the production process.

Shipments: they got all the inner parts for the active and passive models finished, also the cases. What is still causing delays are the pedals that they had to redesign (produced in China, submitted changes before christmas, now delays because of the holidays over there) and the midi implementation for the AM-Models are not finished. They are looking at Mid-March as the shipment date for the passive and A-Models.

He kindly offered to do some photos of my future intrument and send them by email. He also mentioned the completely improved action over the original ones and that Harold was never quite satisfied with the action but couldn't convince the back then managers in charge to change anything.

Joe also said that his main concern isn't demand but production speed, since their team is still very small (obviously, if you get a call-back from the boss...). I could tell they have already planned the transfers to Europe by sea for mid-march.

Last thing he told me, that because of me pre-ordering I made quite a deal, because the store price are much higher.

Just wanted to share this information with all of you. I still think it would be easy for RMC to just write an email with this info to everyone who pre-ordered, but I guess it's not going to happen.

goldphinga · 3rd February 2009

Thats good news. I pre-ordered as well. Honestly though, im a bit worried as im in the UK and if the stories are true about Arbiter going under i dont know how these are going to get to the people that ordered them.

dergerd · 3rd February 2009

I think for pre-order customers there is no distributor needed since they plan to deliver them directly. He even asked if I woul prefer the faster but more expensive air shipping or if its ok to ship my instrument by sea with all the other ones for European Customers. One shipment will arrive in Rotterdam and from there on they its are open for suggestions, but they will offer various ways.

I think there is no distributor for Germany as well, but as I wrote, they are not concerned about finding a distributor. So I wouldn't be too upset about Arbiter.

coleelsaleh · 7th February 2009

Thing looks like a bathtub. With so many perfectly viable (and less weighty) alternatives for achieving "that sound", one would expect the company to be bending over backwards to communicate with its potential customer base. They're essentially "bringing back the corded wall phone" (which I imagine to be a major factor in this "hurry up and wait" new Rhodes hype-fizzle), all the more reason for them to pour on the sales pitches and hit the road with some live demos in the major markets. I was very excited about the Mk VII back in '07, but now it's two years down the road and I've spent that Rhodes money on a Nord Stage, which gives me excellent Rhodes emulations in a backpackable configuration. I also never got rid of my Korg N1R module, a one-space rack unit that in general does not impress but does offer STUNNING Rhodes and Wurly patches (worth the price of admission, about a hundred bucks used). My first keyboard was an old Stage 88, but that was in '78, when there was absolutely no other way to get "that sound". Actually, back then there weren't very many portable (relative term) keyboard instruments that produced any sort of sound at all worth amplifying. Those were the days when the Rhodes name earned its credibility. Stevie Wonder likes the Mk VII, and that's enough proof for me that it must be a fine instrument, but aside from the pretty pictures on their website it doesn't seem like the current "keepers of the flame" are doing anything at all to preserve that old Rhodes credibility. Many a great product has been denied its ascension to the throne by bad business practices. It seems obvious to me that the Rhodes Music Corporation needs to spend just a little more money and hire a PR guy or two before the rest of their enthusiastic potential customer base loses interest and they get stuck with a warehouse full of unsellable behemoth bathtub-pianos.
...Those speakers look pretty cool though...

Infa · 7th February 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by coleelsaleh

Stevie Wonder likes the Mk VII, and that's enough proof for me that it must be a fine instrument, but aside from the pretty pictures on their website it doesn't seem like the current "keepers of the flame" are doing anything at all to preserve that old Rhodes credibility. Many a great product has been denied its ascension to the throne by bad business practices. It seems obvious to me that the Rhodes Music Corporation needs to spend just a little more money and hire a PR guy or two before the rest of their enthusiastic potential customer base loses interest and they get stuck with a warehouse full of unsellable behemoth bathtub-pianos.

VERY excellent words. Couldn't have said it better myself. So true, and the holy grail of statements in this thread.

As I still want one, and still (may at this point) get one, it does not justify the way they have handled P&M and communication with vendors at this point. Also, before I get the one I want, I absolutely NEED to contact their "pre-sales/product specialist" department (as I do with all products) and ask some serious questions to get the answers "from the horses mouth" BEFORE I know which version I want and why, etc..
Questions I know only they can answer. Etc.. So see, the way I purchase things (carefully) I need communication from the company itself to help me make a solid decision. So the way they have handled themselves on this one KILLED my ability to pre-order and get a "better deal" off the soon to be "asking price"..

SO that is just ONE small example of how they have got this potential customer here in a pickle of NOT being able for me to give them money !!! Ridiculous.

And Stevie Wonder is a GOD !!! just thought I'd say that.

Sounds Great · 8th February 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by coleelsaleh

Thing looks like a bathtub. With so many perfectly viable (and less weighty) alternatives for achieving "that sound",

Maybe achieving something close to "that sound'. You can also get devices that emulate a 9 foot Bosendorfer. Are they close enough? Questionable, for sure.

MarkyGoldstein · 8th February 2009

I played the instrument in Frankfurt (Musik Messe) and I tell you: it sounds great. I have pre-ordered one and I am proud of the Rhodes team that fights for this revival. Thanks.

goldphinga · 8th February 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkyGoldstein

I played the instrument in Frankfurt (Musik Messe) and I tell you: it sounds great. I have pre-ordered one and I am proud of the Rhodes team that fights for this revival. Thanks.

Yep... i know from the clips that the new Rhodes sounds the biz and i think it looks great. Ive no doubt in my mind that the Mark7 is the biz.

Ill also second that its no small undertaking to bring back the Rhodes. There are just so many things to get right and it needs to be just right. I dont care how long it takes to get mine as long as its right.

As a Rhodes player first and foremost im over the moon about this new Rhodes. Hats off to them.

There is so much unjustified negativity about this Rhodes it amazes me. People should be grateful that its being brought back!!

Nothing will ever beat a real Rhodes except a better real Rhodes and that is what we are about to get our hands on!

27th January 2009	#68
GYang Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: here Posts: 4,285	Rhodes with MIDI is exactly what I'm looking for. Key point is sound, so they still tweak it, I guess. __________________ Be free or be rich ! Ask girl who knows

31st January 2009	#82
goldphinga Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,328 Thread Starter	This is terrible news.. If this is true about arbiter then its a really sad day. They have been very good to me and distributed two brands in the UK that are very close to my musical heart-Rhodes and Moog. What this means for Rhodes and Moog in the UK i dont know but i sincerely hope someone steps in and takes over asap. My best goes to all the great staff there that have lost there jobs if this indeed turns out to be true...

3rd February 2009	#83
dergerd Gear interested Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 20	Hey everyone. News from Rhodes. I had a long talk with Joe Brandstetter yesterday after requiring some information on my order status in an email. He called back and I told him what I thought about Rhodes' communication policy. He understood that many customers are concerned but that they are too few people and most of the time too much involved in the production process. Shipments: they got all the inner parts for the active and passive models finished, also the cases. What is still causing delays are the pedals that they had to redesign (produced in China, submitted changes before christmas, now delays because of the holidays over there) and the midi implementation for the AM-Models are not finished. They are looking at Mid-March as the shipment date for the passive and A-Models. He kindly offered to do some photos of my future intrument and send them by email. He also mentioned the completely improved action over the original ones and that Harold was never quite satisfied with the action but couldn't convince the back then managers in charge to change anything. Joe also said that his main concern isn't demand but production speed, since their team is still very small (obviously, if you get a call-back from the boss...). I could tell they have already planned the transfers to Europe by sea for mid-march. Last thing he told me, that because of me pre-ordering I made quite a deal, because the store price are much higher. Just wanted to share this information with all of you. I still think it would be easy for RMC to just write an email with this info to everyone who pre-ordered, but I guess it's not going to happen. Last edited by dergerd; 3rd February 2009 at 06:52 PM.. Reason: spelling mistakes

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25th January 2009	#61
goldphinga Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,328 Thread Starter

25th January 2009	#65
Thebassist Gear addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago, Chicago Posts: 382	The Rhodes piano is already a huge success in history! If there was really such a need to improve the thing, why are people still so crazed about them? There's a reason that even programs like Reason have a Rhodes preset right next to the grand piano. Like my Alabama gramma used to say, if it ain't broke, why fix it?

26th January 2009	#67
goldphinga Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,328 Thread Starter	For me the bottom line is not whether they answer the emails but if they deliver a worthy product and i believe they will. The reason i think its taken so long to come to production is that the logistics involved, the costs (credit crunch too) and many other factors must have added up and held things back. Rhodes are very complex beasts to manufacture (iots of precision moulding and work that has to be done by trained hands and eyes and ears) and i wonder how big the team is getting them into production. Also, from what ive read none of the production is outsourced, its firmly made completely in the US which is good. Im sure that the original shipping dates moved when Rhodes realised what a huge undertaking it is to make a Rhodes thats improved whilst bearing in mind they are rebuilding a classic and i dont envy them! However, im over the moon that my favourite instrument is being remanufactured and i believe they will be worth the money. In terms of finish and keysize im going for a black roadtouch finish 73 with the silver stand, active with midi. Midi will be useful for me on gigs..i could create a zone for my moog LP to play in the top octave which will be great, amongst other things..an 88 is too big to carry for me.. Also cant wait to hear what Jim Williams' pre sounds like. Bet its incredible. The tone controls in the old Rhodes arent the best!As for the speaker platform, id consider that a luxury for gigging musos with a road crew but for a studio based Rhodes its great.

28th January 2009	#73
goldphinga Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 1,328 Thread Starter	Rhodes Pianos - arbiter.co.uk

30th January 2009	#75
dergerd Gear interested Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 20	Thanks dubrichie, but I wouldn't need a preamp, because I ordered the active model. I would just need active speakers or a power-amplifier /passive speaker combination. Or am I wrong on this?

30th January 2009	#76
dubrichie Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 2,319	sure, any of those approaches will work. it all depends on what kind of sound you want to get out of the Rhodes. my preference is for a slightly overdriven tube guitar amp because that is the classic Rhodes sound that i love. you can use any kind of amp and speakers you like, each combination of which will give you a different sound. just plug it into a whopper big PA and it'll be loud, clear and clean. or hey, go nuts and plug it into an Ampeg SVT-VR and the SVT-810! that would probably sound pretty damn bad ass!

30th January 2009	#77
dergerd Gear interested Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 20	okay, this sounds like fun Can't wait to play around with the sound. Thanks

30th January 2009	#78
Jazzooo Gear maniac Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 286	"I mean whats the purpose of the speaker other than nostalgia ? Or does anyone feel you would get a actual better sound Mic'ing it with the Speaker/Amp like the old days ?" My opinion: having the speakers fire into your crotch was one of the best things about the old suitcases. You were monitoring it without monitors, and the sensation was as physical as playing an acoustic grand.

30th January 2009	#80
The Beatsmith Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: UK Posts: 3,389	LOL sorry.

7th February 2009	#86
coleelsaleh Gear interested Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7	Thing looks like a bathtub. With so many perfectly viable (and less weighty) alternatives for achieving "that sound", one would expect the company to be bending over backwards to communicate with its potential customer base. They're essentially "bringing back the corded wall phone" (which I imagine to be a major factor in this "hurry up and wait" new Rhodes hype-fizzle), all the more reason for them to pour on the sales pitches and hit the road with some live demos in the major markets. I was very excited about the Mk VII back in '07, but now it's two years down the road and I've spent that Rhodes money on a Nord Stage, which gives me excellent Rhodes emulations in a backpackable configuration. I also never got rid of my Korg N1R module, a one-space rack unit that in general does not impress but does offer STUNNING Rhodes and Wurly patches (worth the price of admission, about a hundred bucks used). My first keyboard was an old Stage 88, but that was in '78, when there was absolutely no other way to get "that sound". Actually, back then there weren't very many portable (relative term) keyboard instruments that produced any sort of sound at all worth amplifying. Those were the days when the Rhodes name earned its credibility. Stevie Wonder likes the Mk VII, and that's enough proof for me that it must be a fine instrument, but aside from the pretty pictures on their website it doesn't seem like the current "keepers of the flame" are doing anything at all to preserve that old Rhodes credibility. Many a great product has been denied its ascension to the throne by bad business practices. It seems obvious to me that the Rhodes Music Corporation needs to spend just a little more money and hire a PR guy or two before the rest of their enthusiastic potential customer base loses interest and they get stuck with a warehouse full of unsellable behemoth bathtub-pianos. ...Those speakers look pretty cool though...

8th February 2009	#89
MarkyGoldstein Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Paris Posts: 903	I played the instrument in Frankfurt (Musik Messe) and I tell you: it sounds great. I have pre-ordered one and I am proud of the Rhodes team that fights for this revival. Thanks.