Rhodes pianos

brightonalex · Post by **brightonalex** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 11:39 am

Hello.

Are they reliable? If I buy an old one in good condition from Ebay, will it fall apart?

thanks in adavnce

creature · Post by **creature** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 11:42 am

I think rhodes pianos are built like tanks because they are used on stage alot. Provided it has been well maintained and looked after then it should be very reliable.

How much are you getting it for if you dont mind me asking?

Steve

brightonalex · Post by **brightonalex** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 12:00 pm

Hello creature. I haven't looked for one yet. I have a little bit of extra money and thought I might be able to take advantage of the credit crunch misery and buy one, as I've always wanted one.

But as I understand it they are more mechanical than electronic, and that usually means there are more things that can go wrong!

monobeach · Post by **monobeach** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 12:42 pm

Hi!

I cannot comment so much on the technical aspects, but I will tell you this:

i have been playing keyboards in a band for nine years. a couple of years ago, I got a Nord Electro - felt awesome; like a new league

I had never touched a Rhodes before, but it was my favourite keyboard sound and the main reason I got the Nord

I always hesitated also, to get a real Rhodes from ebay or somewhere else, in fear it could be too heavy, worn out, useless, whatever...

This summer, I saw someone near to my place offering a Rhodes, so I called the guy, drove there and the first moment I sat down to play, touched the keys and heard the sound (crappy little amp) I was sold! I bought it without hesitation, after having played it for like 2 hours.

It's a Mark I, form 1974.

I regret, I hadn't tried it a couple of years earlier.

So: do it!

I think, you can always resell it at a good price (the guy I bought it from here in southern germany claimed he had requests even from the UK)

for the mechanics, I plan to find some piano tuner, that will tune the thing, and maybe readjust the keys etc. (the keys are definitely worn out and the tuning is not perfect)

great sound and feel, nevertheless; great vibe

yes, it's heavy - I don't think I can carry it on my own. But if you care about the Rhodes souund and playing keys, you will not regret it, I am sure

sorry for the long post - love the thing!

nimbledoe · Post by **nimbledoe** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 1:47 pm

i had the suitcase model with the 300W Quad Speaker underneath (thus Suitcase...)

amazing sound but weighed as much as a small car. i miss it but dont miss lugging it.

brightonalex · Post by **brightonalex** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:21 pm

Thanks everyone. I wouldn't carry it about I would just play it at home. I think I'll get one.

earsmack · Post by **earsmack** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:37 pm

Look at the nord electro 3 before you buy a real rhodes - they are pretty amazing keyboards and more flexible (and reliable, and lighter) than a real Rhodes. Good luck!

brightonalex · Post by **brightonalex** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 3:39 pm

earsmack wrote:Look at the nord electro 3 before you buy a real rhodes - they are pretty amazing keyboards and more flexible (and reliable, and lighter) than a real Rhodes. Good luck!

£1,500!!! too much for me.

Ruud · Post by **Ruud** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:06 pm

The Old Rhodes is a beautifull instrument. The only disadvantage is to keep the forks
in good tune.
Its a lot of work to get them tuned. And don't mess with it just to turn a litlle with a screwdriver.

There is a new build Rhodes as well

http://www.rhodespiano.com/

logic_user99 · Post by **logic_user99** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:10 pm

the keyboard play from my old band used one on stage. It took three of us to lift the bugger out of his car at each gig!

However, it was one of the best sounding pieces of gear on the stage (aside from ma drumses!). Get one! Failing that, get a nice MIDI controller keyboard and a copy of NI Elektrik Piano - I got that 'cos I couldn't afford a proper Rhodes.

parma · Post by **parma** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:19 pm

go for it.

I've always loved the sound of a rhodes and I finally got one this summer and it is probably the best musical purchase I have made in terms of pure fun.

However, you need to be willing to perform maintenance and keep it up. It's not as hard as everybody makes it out to be. And once you get it set up the way you want it you can let it go for awhile with maybe the occasional tuning.

When I got mine I had to replace a couple tines and make some basic adjustments to the forks. I moved the pickups slightly closer to the tines so I could get more of that rhodes "bite" - it was set up for a very mellow tone when I received it.

As for tuning - get yourself a cheap strobe tuner and just do it yourself. There are some guides online on how to tune a rhodes. It requires some screwdrivers some elbow grease and some patience. A regular piano tuner will probably not be able to tune or modify the key action of a rhodes any more than you could do.

ethios4 · Post by **ethios4** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:25 pm

I play in a band that has a Rhodes. It is a beautiful instrument and my respect for it has grown a lot! The way it distorts is incredible!

They really are built like tanks....I can't believe the one we use is still working. It has been moved around a LOT, the vinyl is all coming off the case, but the wood is amazingly intact...no problems at all. Tuning is an issue, only because it is such a huge ordeal to tune it, but it's stayed mostly in tune over the years.

I'd recommend getting a direct box for it....it can be pretty noisy without.

bosonHavoc · Post by **bosonHavoc** » Mon Dec 22, 2008 5:35 pm

Ruud wrote:The Old Rhodes is a beautifull instrument. The only disadvantage is to keep the forks
in good tune.
Its a lot of work to get them tuned. And don't mess with it just to turn a litlle with a screwdriver.

There is a new build Rhodes as well

http://www.rhodespiano.com/

wow
they look pretty sweet

and the am series has usb/midi .. nuts lol

i still think i'd have to get a wurly

brightonalex · Post by **brightonalex** » Tue Dec 23, 2008 4:59 pm

Actually the reviews of the Nord are pretty good...

http://reviews.harmony-central.com/revi ... +2+73/10/2