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Description
Step back into the golden era of electric pianos with the Fender Rhodes Mark I Stage 73, a legendary instrument cherished by musicians for its unique sound and timeless appeal. Crafted during the 1970s, this iconic electric piano offers a distinct tonal warmth and bell-like clarity that has graced countless recordings across genres, from jazz to rock to pop. The 73 keys provide a full-range experience, delivering dynamic expression and responsiveness that's unmatched in vintage keyboards.
Each note on the Stage 73 is generated through its signature hammer and tine mechanism, blending traditional piano feel with the electric sound that defined an era. Its portability was a game-changer for gigging musicians, allowing them to take this classic sound on the road without the weight of an acoustic piano. The robust construction ensures durability, while its minimalist design complements any stage or studio setup.
Whether you're a seasoned professional or a vintage gear enthusiast, the Fender Rhodes Mark I Stage 73 is more than just an instrument; it's a piece of music history that continues to inspire creativity and innovation.
Key Features:
- 73-key electric piano with signature hammer and tine action
- Distinctive warm, bell-like sound
- Portable design ideal for live performances
- Vintage 1970s construction
- Suitable for a wide range of musical genres
- Durable build quality for long-lasting use
Videos
J3PO
catching a vibe with my 1973 Fender Rhodes Mark I
Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 10 Reviews and 64 Ratings
74
Ain't nothin like the real thing baby
I'm a pro musician, music educator and artist and just like the title says, there's a feeling when playing and hearing a real Rhodes that is unmatched. The resonance of a MKI and the feeling of playing one with wooden keys is a pinnacle in design. Beauty form and function. I don't have the bump mod on mine yet, but I'm curious to see how it might improve the key-bed action. Mine also still has the passive preamp, but running it through some pedals really wakes up the giant. I've had great results with the American Sound/Blonde pedal (made by Tech21, cloned by Joyo and others) as it gives great analog Fender Amp simulation. Next I use the Zoom MS-70 for modulation. Finally I patch it into my spring tank, another reverb pedal or my Space Echo.
815
Well sort of used to have it....
Played one in the Jazz Band in High School for 2 years. I always found it hard to get good volume out of it and it was kind of wonky but it was still awesome to be able to go to gigs with the school Stage Band. I wish I had known more about how to get the best out of it but I was a dumb high-schooler who just was able to carry it and set it up...even the amp it was hooked up to was a mystery to me then! hehe
163
Magical tone
This is by far, my favorite instrument of all time. Unique and really modern tone, everlasting sustain and a lot of dynamics. When you understand the way it works and how to tweak it, you can achieve a lot of different tone, some more ''arsh'' and some more ''smooth''. Suitable for a lot of music styles and its perfect for ''padding'', because the tone cover the whole frequency spectrum. Amazing instrument!
41029
I have never missed a piece of gear more than this!
I have never missed a piece of gear more than this! Me and my boss at a small studio were once paid for live sound and a location recording with a Rhodes Mk1 73 key. It needed love but I fixed her up well and used her at that little studio on countless projects. When we parted ways and divied up our gear I somehow was fool enough to let him keep it because I lacked space at my apartment at the time... what a fucking mistake. I miss it so much. Every time I see one in a shop for huge money I want to cry. While I prefer the Hohner and Wurli electric piano sound just a bit, the MK1 Rhodes is literally the best sounding fender electric piano. They never improved on it. They are a maintenance nightmare and the action takes some getting sued to, but they sound amazing and are just fun to play once you get the whole Rhodes groove down. And they are easy to run into guitar effects as they send a Hi Z signal like an electric guitar.... Rhodes thru a phaser and a vox? Been there, done that, love it! The built in trem circuit sounds great too... I am getting misty eyed right now yearning for that 73 key beauty. While it must be nice having the full 88 you don't miss them because the Rhodes is all about the midrange and super-high chime notes occasionally (think Wichita Lineman by Glen Campbel... I think the telegraph lick is played on a Rhodes)... anyway. ARGH! I miss this badass keyboard.
359
Splendid Instrument
Always use in the majority of my productions, Silky sounds that go well on almost anything.
41029
pair it with a space echo.... I miss owning a Rhodes mk1, maintenance nightmare, but so worth it
111
215
Fender Rhodes MK1 88
mine is a Fender Rhodes MK1 eighty eight, from 1974. Stamped "Fender" with wood hammers
41029
nope... I had one, I miss it
Artist usage
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In the YouTube video titled "Dave Grohl - Play [Keys in Master Version]" by painmanist, Dave Grohl is seen using a Fender Rhodes Mark I Stage 73.
In a live performance of "My Doorbell" by The White Stripes at Rock Am Ring in 2007, Jack White can be seen using a Wurlitzer, not a Fender Rhodes Mark I Stage 73, as previously mentioned.
In this Sound On Sound article, there is this photo of Turner playing a Fender Rhodes Stage 73 electric piano.
Jonny can be seen playing a Rhodes Stage Piano Mark I 73 in this live performance.
Thom Yorke is noted to use the Fender Rhodes Mark I Stage 73, as detailed on the King of Gear Tumblr page.
The item can be seen at 0:43 where Calvin Harris zooms in the name of the instrument.
If you know how a Fender Rhodes sounds, you can clearly notice that Paul McCartney uses one of these instruments during Rockshow. You can also see the back of the Rhodes in 0:50 and 1:05 and the left side in 1:07 while Paul uses it. If you listen to the intro of the song Magneto and Titanium Man you can lock fast that he uses a that kind of instrument. The film Rockshow was recorded during the "Wings over America Tour" in 1976. The title of the video says it was in 79 but it was in 76. The Rhodes Mark 2 was published in 1979 so it can only be that one which was released before the film Rockshow was recorded. So it can't be a Mark 2. Proof URL: fenderrhodes.com/pianos/mark2.html
The keyboard can be seen in the video interview at 7:48 under Mac's Roland Juno 60.
Dan plays a Fender Rhodes Mark 1 Stage 73 piano on Oceans and Streams live at the Crystal Ballroom. You can see that it's a Mark 1 at about 1:58.
John Paul Jones playing a Fender Rhodes Mark 1 with Led Zeppelin on June 2, 1973 in San Francisco, California. The Keyboards of Led Zeppelin & John Paul Jones website covers Jones's use of Rhodes electric pianos over the years:
The Rhodes Suitcase was used on the early Led Zeppelin tours from 1971 to 1973, often with a covering showing Jones's famous rune/symbol over the speaker box.
In 1973, the "Suitcase" model was replaced by a Stage 73 model -- a similar piano, but with no speaker box. Instead, it had chrome legs to support it. It was fed to two 1960's Fender Dual Showman amplifiers so it could be as loud as the guitar amps. The Stage 73 is the Rhodes seen on the famous "No Quarter" portion of The Song Remains The Same film. The Rhodes Stage 73 model was used on the 1973 and 1975 tours.
For the 1977 tour, a third Rhodes model was used -- the larger Stage 88. It too had chrome legs for a stand, but had a full-length keyboard with 88 notes (the same number of keys as a standard piano).
Album Usage
The Fender Rhodes Mark I Stage 73 (1969-1975) has been featured on the following albums:
Angelo Badalamenti, David Lynch: Laura Palmer's Theme from Twin Peaks
Angelo Badalamenti & David Lynch (2025)
Get Back (Rooftop Performance)
The Beatles (2022)
UFO's Are Not Alone
oSleau (2022)
Please Please Please
Cats On Trees (2021)
eduardo
Ed Maverick (2021)
La Grasa de las Capitales: Edición 40º Aniversario (Remasterizado 2019)
Serú Girán (2019)
Play
Dave Grohl (2018)
Slide (feat. Frank Ocean & Migos)
Calvin Harris (2017)
Labyrinths
Daedelus (2016)
Mockroot
Tigran Hamasyan (2015)
Sing to the Moon
Laura Mvula (2013)
She
Laura Mvula (2012)
The 2nd Law
Muse (2012)
The Resistance
Muse (2009)
Twin Peaks
Angelo Badalamenti (2008)
Pablo Honey
Radiohead (1993)
Soundtrack From Twin Peaks
Angelo Badalamenti (1990)
MAKE UP CITY
Casiopea (1980)
The Song Remains the Same (Remaster)
Led Zeppelin (1976)
Head Hunters
Herbie Hancock (1973)
Talking Book
Stevie Wonder (1972)
L.A. Woman
The Doors (1971)
Let It Be (Remastered)
The Beatles (1970)
Abbey Road (Remastered)
The Beatles (1969)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Rhodes Mark I Stage 73 (1969-1975), it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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