To Rhodes or not to Rhodes?

sdconvoy · Post by **sdconvoy** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:48 am

i'm considering picking up a *obviously used* rhodes. i have recently become a big fan of their sound, from the softer/ bellish tones, to the growly/harsher sounds and everything in between.

is it worth picking up the real deal? i have some pretty decent patches on my Motif, and i have some VSTi's that sound pretty good... but will anything ever give me the 'rhodes' experience like the real thing?

so finally, what should i look for? i doubt i'll need a 88 key. i know there are a few differen't models of rhodes, so which ones would be the best? I'm game for tine adjusting and the like, so actual tambre isn't the BIGGEST deal *if i was reading right* as much as feel.

drummy · Post by **drummy** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:57 am

If you have the money, I would get one. I hope to get a Rhodes Stage MK1 73-key one day with a DI box (I hate amps). I've tried a bunch of VSTi emulations, but none of them sound like the real thing.

Post by **nadafarms** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:55 am

don't get a beat up one! even if its $200 you'll wind up pouring tons of time and money into. way better off spending $600-900 and a good working in tune one with a foot pedal seriously!

spookyman · Post by **spookyman** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:42 pm

+1 with nadafarms.

I bought mine for 70 $ there is 15 years, but in very very bad shape (1975 mk 1, stage 73). It was cheap, but i had to invest more than 600$ to make a restauration (full, outside and inside), and a lot of hours of work. I made all by myself with parts from various Rhodes and Fender Rhodes models.

It was good for me, i had a lot of time to make the restauration and learned a lot of things.

But today, i would prefer to buy a model in good shape for a little bit more money, and i could play as soon as i get the piano...and not wait for months.

MrFrodo · Post by **MrFrodo** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 8:24 pm

I like that picture, spookyman. If I ever get another Rhodes (my first one was a Suitcase 73), I'm also shooting for a Stage piano (I'll take a 73, but would prefer an 88 ). I can do without the built-in tremolo; nothing wrong with effects pedals.

roboctopus · Post by **roboctopus** » Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:24 pm

spookyman wrote:

Ha ha! This picture is a dream. I have the Prodigy, and I intend to get a Rhodes. My Prodigy will look great on the top!

I say get a real Rhodes, but definately hold on for one in good shape...

spookyman · Post by **spookyman** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 10:25 am

Thanks for the comments !

Fender Rhodes and Moog Prodigy is a good pair. Perfect for funk music. In my set-up, i also have a Nord Stage and a Korg Polysix.

And to come back on the thread, the Nord Stage also have Rhodes MkI, MkII and MkV samples inside. Not bad...they fit perfect in a mix, but sounds way to "clean" and polite. Even with some Amp simulation, overdrive and everythings the Nord Stage have on board, it dont compete with the original device.

When you are playing a real Rhodes, you can feel the vibration of the tines. It has something magical, this special vibe that a sample can't bring to you.

But i can understand when someone prefer to take a Nord Stage or Nord Electro for gigs...because a Rhodes Piano is heavy, and ask some $$$ for maintenance. Every time you move that thing, you have to check if the voicing and tuning is still ok.

But in term of sound, you are getting back every minutes you invest to take care of your instrument.

44deluxe · Post by **44deluxe** » Thu Mar 13, 2008 11:43 pm

I've had a MkII Rhodes since 1991 and I can tell you that no keyboard patch will ever make you play the same as you do on the real thing.

You can keep it really simple when the sound is so good! 8)