Thinking of Buying a Fender Rhodes? Any Suggestions?

Philly Stress · Post by **Philly Stress** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 6:59 am

I'm thinking of buying a Fender Rhodes? Any Suggestions? I heard there is a verison of Rhodes with MIDI?? Is this true?

Jazzpunk · Post by **Jazzpunk** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:15 am

Start your research here;

http://www.fenderrhodes.com/models/index.php

I've got a 1973 MKI and will never part with it! As far as midi goes, the new ones are supposed to have midi out to control other gear but there may be a way to retrofit older models if you really need that.

Post by **wiss** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:16 am

this goes in buyers guide......????

yeah, they are great. fav electric piano of all time. the new ones I know have midi, if they are ever released.

uncle silas · Post by **uncle silas** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:21 am

I think the new Rhodes will have MIDI but the old school mark I - V's won't have any MIDI unless there's some retrofit.

I have a 1972 Mark I Suitcase and I love it. Unlike old synths I can actually maintain the Rhodes (it's all mechanical).

Things to watch for: the most common models are the 73 and 88 key mark I and II's. IIIs are extremely rare, IVs never made production and V's are rare and very expensive.

The pre Fender Rhodes (about 1969 and earlier) used felt tipped hammers that are hard/expensive to replace. After Fender bought the Rhodes line the design was changed to use rubber pads and the tines were improved. The Fender/Rhodes models are cheaper to maintain.

Finally the sound difference between the Mark I and Mark II is that the I has more of a 'bark' sound and the Mark II is more 'Bell' like. For most people that's the determining factor in which model the get.

I prefer the bark but the wooden-keyed Mark I I own is less responsive than a plastic key Mark II so fast playing is difficult. Still, while the action of my Rhodes isn't ideal the sound is f**k perfect.

I played a few others before landing the one I have. That era (70-72) is regarded as the best time for the MkI rhodes.

Finally, the two models are different in one key way. The Stage model has legs and uses a mono output to a guitar amp or PA while the Suitcase sits on a big speaker cab. The Suitcase has the much soughtafter Vibrado.

There are a number of other differences but you'll have to sort through those over at www.fenderhordes.com

Good luck!

Post by **WDW** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:22 am

And magically the thread is teleported to its proper home...

WD

Clavier · Post by **Clavier** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:31 am

1) http://www.fenderrhodes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2924

2) http://www.fenderrhodes.com/models/mark5.php

I should point out that there are lot's different types of Rhodes/Fender Rhodes. The design was revised several times from the mid forties to the mid eighties. The sound of different era pianos varies quite a bit. If you want to know what one is for you, you will have to do some research and find the one that like sound wise the most.

This site:

http://www.fenderrhodes.com/home.php

...is the definitive resource for Rhodes nuts of all sorts.

Jazzpunk · Post by **Jazzpunk** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:38 am

I wonder how many more people will steer him towards the same site lol. Definitely a great resource.

Clavier · Post by **Clavier** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 7:46 am

When I started my post, no replies had yet been made.

Mark, is there anything you don't have?

stevebirss · Post by **stevebirss** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:28 am

You know, I searched for a Fender Rhodes for about 4 years, until finally I found a guy who had a Wurlitzer 200A for sale. I bought it thinking, "Well it's not a Rhodes, but I guess it will do." Now that I have it I freaking LOVE my Wurly, I will keep that thing for the rest of my life!!! So don't just limit yourself to the Rhodes, check out the Wurly's. One upside to the Wurly, is one person can carry it on their own (about 65 pounds), whereas I've heard Fender Rhodes weigh about twice that if not more.
Peace
Steve

Clavier · Post by **Clavier** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:53 am

I agree, electric pianos and electric acoustic instruments, in general are usually quite wonderful sounding. It matters most what you like. After that recent encounter with the combo harpsichord, I have been realizing just how much I will want one in the future. I have been listening to the appropriate Beatles tracks daily ever since.

Here's my wish list in no particular order:

-Baldwin Combo Electric
-Wurlitzer 140
-Wurlitzer 200
-Yamaha CP-80
-Wurlitzer 4600
-Yamaha CP-30
-Clavinet D6
-Fender Rhodes (wood hammers; raymac tines) suitcase (or better yet Super Satellite)
-Rhodes Mk II
-etc.

stevebirss · Post by **stevebirss** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:02 am

Dude, I would LOVE a CP-80. To be able to play live anywhere with a real piano, just plug her in and go. Oh, sick!!!!! By the way Clavier, get a Wurly, you'll freakin' love it!

Jazzpunk · Post by **Jazzpunk** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 9:06 am

stevebirss wrote:So don't just limit yourself to the Rhodes, check out the Wurly's. One upside to the Wurly, is one person can carry it on their own (about 65 pounds), whereas I've heard Fender Rhodes weigh about twice that if not more.

No reason one can't own both! I'd never give up my Rhodes for a wurli but I'd certainly love to add a wurli to my rig. Both are great sounding instruments.

spookyman · Post by **spookyman** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:24 am

Don't forget that you can make a Mk1 sounds more bellish than barky, and a Mk2 sounds more barky than bellish.

Sure, there is a difference between the Raymac tines and the old pick-ups from a 1968 Fender Rhodes and the Shaller tines and newer pick-ups from a Mk2 1981 Suitecase...but, with a little help of a screwdriver and some time, you can adjust the distance and height between tines and pick-up, and this allows you to achieve some significant changes to the sound.

I have a Mk1 from 1975, sounds more barky than bellish. And like uncle silas said, is not so responsive like the Mk2 1980 from a friend...never. But i tried to help a little bit with some magic powder on the wooden hammer...it helps a little bit, but it's never so responsive and easy to play like a Mk2.

hageir · Post by **hageir** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 3:05 pm

spookyman wrote:But i tried to help a little bit with some magic powder on the wooden hammer...it helps a little bit

what's that *magic powder*?
some cocaine?

anyways, I've always wanted an electric piano and just the other day, I had the honours to play a Wurlitzer 200/a/ -I don't remember..
anyways, it was beautiful!
the following nigh, I actually dreamt that it was mine and that it was sitting right here, in my living room

then I dreamt; what can I give the guy to make him trade it to me?!

all I know is, that if you love electric pianos; you will love what ever you buy, IMO!
and yes, who says you can only have one?

good luck and post some pics if you buy one!

spookyman · Post by **spookyman** » Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:47 pm

Oooooooh yessssss....cocaine.

No. Simply some special Teflon Powder, also used with string instruments. It's working well with the felt.

As a substitut for cocaine ? I don't know...Either not.