Do Rhodes Vary Much?

soupking · 23rd July 2008

I've been looking into them and was curious, aside from size, how the earlier models vary from later ones and what kind of opinions there are on them.

Anybody?

numrologst · 23rd July 2008

If you want classic rhodes sound, you want Mk1 or a mk2 made before 1980 (I think that is the year they started using plastic keys)

bgrotto · 23rd July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by soupking

I've been looking into them and was curious, aside from size, how the earlier models vary from later ones and what kind of opinions there are on them.

Anybody?

There are huge sonic (and playability) differences between models, especially when it comes to cabinet pairings. Not to mention the difference in sound between two of the same models, which, as with any old instrument or piece of gear, can be quite severe. Never buy an instrument you haven't first played.

LRhodes · 23rd July 2008

No - we're pretty much all crazy in the head

Tube World · 23rd July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by soupking

I've been looking into them and was curious, aside from size, how the earlier models vary from later ones and what kind of opinions there are on them.

Anybody?

New ones are better imo. They are all made in Australia now and the consistency between them is so so close. The older ones were made in China and they had many quality problems with capsules back then. They really just got their old designs and improved on them, the same as SE Electronics did.

midigod · 23rd July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tube World

New ones are better imo. They are all made in Australia now and the consistency between them is so so close. The older ones were made in China and they had many quality problems with capsules back then. They really just got their old designs and improved on them, the same as SE Electronics did.

Yeah, and as we all know, replacing all 73 or 88 capsules can be a pain. Not to mention expensive! Be sure to get a Rhodes that was built after 2007, too.

Craig

James Lehmann · 23rd July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgrotto

There are huge sonic (and playability) differences between models, especially when it comes to cabinet pairings. Not to mention the difference in sound between two of the same models, which, as with any old instrument or piece of gear, can be quite severe. Never buy an instrument you haven't first played.

Seconded.

Not only that, but individual instruments may have been repaired, modded and maintained to sound very different, even from their original state.

As always, the recommended slutty solution is to buy two - a Stage 73 and a Suitcase MkI for optimum tonal palette!

ltemma74 · 23rd July 2008

They are all different.

However, most can be setup to play differently than the way they play when you buy them. Check out Vintage Vibe and purchase the Rhodes setup video. Totally worth it. I learned a lot that way. I bought a used Stage 88 on the cheap, but it wasn't as "alive" sounding or feeling as some others I have played. So I purchased the Rhodes setup video from vintage vibe and the "miracle" action setup kit and now it plays just the way I like. You can adjust every pickup for more or less volume, bark, bite and bell-like tones. If the action is slow and the keys are sluggish you can improve it. These modifications take time, but you really learn your instrument and once you've invested that kind of energy into it, you have a greater appreciation for the instrument in general and yours in particular.

My suggestion is to go with an MK1 or MK2 and fix it up yourself (or pay a tech to do it). I have an MK1 but many prefer the MK2. MK1 is ballsier. MK2 is more bell-like. But remember -- they can all be setup to sound different. The key is to buy one in good condition for a good price that doesn't smell like mildew (a sign of other problems). Another good resource is the forum at The Super Site - FenderRhodes.com.

Steffmo · 23rd July 2008

I really like the pre Fender Rhodes. They often have silver sparkle lis and the resonator bars a squarish brass. Much heavier than the later models. with a more bell like sound.

But the Mk 1s and 2s are also great. I have a 73 with the bottom....its great.

popvulture · 23rd July 2008

I have a Mark I 73 Stage Piano... it's pretty great. I got it for practically nothing (luck) and sunk about 300 bucks into it to have a tech replace some tines / pickups and get it in good running order.

That said... if you're not planning on moving it around i.e. playing live with it (really, just use a Nord Electro live, as even a stage piano is like carrying around a loaded coffin), I'd opt for one of the suitcase models w/speaker cab. They sound and play SO much better, and you can do a couple of "classic sound" enhancing mods on them that you can't do on stage pianos.

And what's this about 2007 models?

Mike Derrick · 24th July 2008

Itemma74 is right. You can change the sound of your Rhodes dramatically by opening the hood and tweaking stuff. I haven't watched the video mentioned above, but from my own experience it doesn't seem that hard to figure it out on your own. I love my Rhodes, there's nothing like it, except maybe another Rhodes.

Thebassist · 24th July 2008

Ow wow you really gotta play one first...

We had one in the old studio (MK1, I believe) that had been completely retooled. A concert pianist friend said it had action like a Boesendorfer!

For context, we bought that one for about 650.

I've seen totaly dogs going for more than a grand.

FWIW, I use the logic plug now...

Stevil · 24th July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by soupking

Anybody?

+1 on the super site
Vintage Piano Models (1965 - 1984)

i've played a few & the tone & feel does vary a bit from one to another.
had a bunch of the green student model in college.
played house fender models @ many gigs & studios.
i own a Mark II 88 & love it. the top octaves are very tinny on it & stand out compared to the rest of the scale, but i rarely play up there.

mine has a preamp built in with the "vibrato" & eq, which i like. they also work with the Janus cabinet which sounds awesome if you can get yer hands on one.
when yer shopping check the front panel & see what yer output & tone dial options are.

larrykane · 24th July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ltemma74

They are all different.

However, most can be setup to play differently than the way they play when you buy them. Check out Vintage Vibe and purchase the Rhodes setup video. Totally worth it. I learned a lot that way. I bought a used Stage 88 on the cheap, but it wasn't as "alive" sounding or feeling as some others I have played. So I purchased the Rhodes setup video from vintage vibe and the "miracle" action setup kit and now it plays just the way I like. You can adjust every pickup for more or less volume, bark, bite and bell-like tones. If the action is slow and the keys are sluggish you can improve it. These modifications take time, but you really learn your instrument and once you've invested that kind of energy into it, you have a greater appreciation for the instrument in general and yours in particular.

My suggestion is to go with an MK1 or MK2 and fix it up yourself (or pay a tech to do it). I have an MK1 but many prefer the MK2. MK1 is ballsier. MK2 is more bell-like. But remember -- they can all be setup to sound different. The key is to buy one in good condition for a good price that doesn't smell like mildew (a sign of other problems). Another good resource is the forum at The Super Site - FenderRhodes.com.

+1 TO THE TRUTH ABOVE -hey that sounded spiritual, but I was referring to the quote.
I used to set them up and tune them for a music store and if you like the action of the one you're thinking of buying, the consumer can pretty much set the tone up anyway he wants by adjusting the distance to each pickup.
Pretty funny about the guy who thought you meant RODE, soup.

jmarkham · 24th July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tube World

New ones are better imo. They are all made in Australia now and the consistency between them is so so close. The older ones were made in China and they had many quality problems with capsules back then. They really just got their old designs and improved on them, the same as SE Electronics did.

As far as I know, the Rhodes were all made in Fullerton, CA until the factory
was closed.

See : Timeline: The Long and Winding Road

And according to the CEO of Rhodes Piano .. they are making them
in the US

The Rhodes piano returning to market is a fantastic triumph for the world musician. We are extremely satisfied with our developments in 2007-08 with
this great piano legacy. I want to thank all the community for the on going support and confidence.

Rhodes is an American legacy known worldwide for its sound and unique design and
all of the people that are working on the Rhodes project are dedicated in getting it
better than right.

I am proud to announce that the Rhodes electric pianos and musical instruments will
hold the stamp "Made In America" again. All of us at Rhodes feel supporting America
in making this great instrument is essential for the legacy, not only because of its
traditional past, but also for the need to establish an American manufacturing
triumph once again.

....

Best Regards,

Joseph A. Brandstetter
Chief Executive Officer
Rhodes Music Corporation

Stevil · 24th July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmarkham

As far as I know, the Rhodes were all made in Fullerton, CA until the factory
was closed.

heres a bit in the 'Rhodes Mark IV (1983)' section:

Quote:

"Harold and I got in the car and drove to the Fender plant in Ensenada, Mexico, where the harps were drilled and assembled. (Management had moved production from Fullerton to Mexico, to reduce costs.)"

jmarkham · 24th July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevil

heres a bit in the 'Rhodes Mark IV (1983)' section:

certainly not Australia and China ;-)

jeff

Sigma · 24th July 2008

remember the Dyno-My-Piano ugrade ?

roger · 24th July 2008

mmmyess......they are all different - but in this way they are not unlike blow-jobs: all different but all ultimately magical!

roger · 24th July 2008

...by the way i have a 73 AND a mk1 - my 73 is passive and the mk1 has a power supply for the amp/d.i. - i actually prefer the 73 (and not just coz i can move it by myself - unlike the mk1) but they both sound beautiful and not too different.

the thing with rhodes' and wurlies is just how nicely they sit in a mix - warm, fat, fuzzy (if you want) and so vibey........you can't go wrong - there is another thread at the mo asking weather or not you have cried in a session......well every time i plug in a rhodes or wurly the tears start to well up (well almost).

r o g

James Lehmann · 24th July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sigma

remember the Dyno-My-Piano ugrade ?

I'd rather not.

A bit like redesigning a Ferrari to look like Ford Escort.

WHY? tutt

Teo Macero · 24th July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Lehmann

I'd rather not.

A bit like redesigning a Ferrari to look like Ford Escort.

WHY? tutt

??????????????!!!!
Are we talking about the same Dyno-My-Piano, here? Chuck Monte?

Sigma · 24th July 2008

i talking about the upgrade that made it have a more biting , brighter sound..not a cosmetic job..it was a custom retrofit

tidepool · 24th July 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by popvulture

That said... if you're not planning on moving it around i.e. playing live with it (really, just use a Nord Electro live, as even a stage piano is like carrying around a loaded coffin), I'd opt for one of the suitcase models w/speaker cab.

I've moved some heavy gear around, but never pictured the loaded coffin reference!

Dubious · 24th July 2008

i have a fender 73 rhodes.. love it to death, and you you can loose alot of hours setting them up...

my buddy has a 73 RHODES (non fender) and i have to say the two are identical... i've had the lid off and the i seem to recall everything was identical.. i used this one as my live keyboard for awhile so i've logged time on both... tone was pretty much the same, ditto for the feel / action.

23rd July 2008	#1
soupking Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,337 Thread Starter	Do Rhodes Vary Much? I've been looking into them and was curious, aside from size, how the earlier models vary from later ones and what kind of opinions there are on them. Anybody? __________________ "Exceptional people talk about ideas. Normal people talk about things. Those with limited abilities talk about other people." - Quoted by Jim Coleman

24th July 2008	#11
Mike Derrick Gear addict Joined: Apr 2006 Location: near Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 485	Itemma74 is right. You can change the sound of your Rhodes dramatically by opening the hood and tweaking stuff. I haven't watched the video mentioned above, but from my own experience it doesn't seem that hard to figure it out on your own. I love my Rhodes, there's nothing like it, except maybe another Rhodes. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

24th July 2008	#23
Sigma Lives for gear Joined: May 2006 Location: phallicdelphia Posts: 4,618	i talking about the upgrade that made it have a more biting , brighter sound..not a cosmetic job..it was a custom retrofit __________________ "The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes, ah, that is where the art resides." Artur Schnabel http://miketarsia.com http://www.myspace.com/miketarsia https://members.grammy365.com/users/mike-tarsia

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23rd July 2008	#2
numrologst Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 1,955	If you want classic rhodes sound, you want Mk1 or a mk2 made before 1980 (I think that is the year they started using plastic keys)

23rd July 2008	#4
LRhodes Gear nut Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Asheville NC Posts: 97	No - we're pretty much all crazy in the head

23rd July 2008	#8
ltemma74 Gear maniac Joined: Jun 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 245	They are all different. However, most can be setup to play differently than the way they play when you buy them. Check out Vintage Vibe and purchase the Rhodes setup video. Totally worth it. I learned a lot that way. I bought a used Stage 88 on the cheap, but it wasn't as "alive" sounding or feeling as some others I have played. So I purchased the Rhodes setup video from vintage vibe and the "miracle" action setup kit and now it plays just the way I like. You can adjust every pickup for more or less volume, bark, bite and bell-like tones. If the action is slow and the keys are sluggish you can improve it. These modifications take time, but you really learn your instrument and once you've invested that kind of energy into it, you have a greater appreciation for the instrument in general and yours in particular. My suggestion is to go with an MK1 or MK2 and fix it up yourself (or pay a tech to do it). I have an MK1 but many prefer the MK2. MK1 is ballsier. MK2 is more bell-like. But remember -- they can all be setup to sound different. The key is to buy one in good condition for a good price that doesn't smell like mildew (a sign of other problems). Another good resource is the forum at The Super Site - FenderRhodes.com.

23rd July 2008	#9
Steffmo Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2004 Location: West Haven, CT Posts: 3,018	I really like the pre Fender Rhodes. They often have silver sparkle lis and the resonator bars a squarish brass. Much heavier than the later models. with a more bell like sound. But the Mk 1s and 2s are also great. I have a 73 with the bottom....its great.

23rd July 2008	#10
popvulture Gear maniac Joined: May 2008 Location: Austin Posts: 269	I have a Mark I 73 Stage Piano... it's pretty great. I got it for practically nothing (luck) and sunk about 300 bucks into it to have a tech replace some tines / pickups and get it in good running order. That said... if you're not planning on moving it around i.e. playing live with it (really, just use a Nord Electro live, as even a stage piano is like carrying around a loaded coffin), I'd opt for one of the suitcase models w/speaker cab. They sound and play SO much better, and you can do a couple of "classic sound" enhancing mods on them that you can't do on stage pianos. And what's this about 2007 models?

24th July 2008	#12
Thebassist Gear addict Joined: Feb 2007 Location: Chicago, Chicago Posts: 382	Ow wow you really gotta play one first... We had one in the old studio (MK1, I believe) that had been completely retooled. A concert pianist friend said it had action like a Boesendorfer! For context, we bought that one for about 650. I've seen totaly dogs going for more than a grand. FWIW, I use the logic plug now...

24th July 2008	#19
roger Lives for gear Joined: Mar 2007 Location: London Posts: 506	mmmyess......they are all different - but in this way they are not unlike blow-jobs: all different but all ultimately magical!

24th July 2008	#25
Dubious Gear Head Joined: Jan 2008 Location: Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Posts: 47	i have a fender 73 rhodes.. love it to death, and you you can loose alot of hours setting them up... my buddy has a 73 RHODES (non fender) and i have to say the two are identical... i've had the lid off and the i seem to recall everything was identical.. i used this one as my live keyboard for awhile so i've logged time on both... tone was pretty much the same, ditto for the feel / action.