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Average Price: $1,700

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Description

Step back into the golden era of electric pianos with the Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73. This classic instrument captures the essence of vintage sound while providing modern reliability for both studio sessions and live performances. With its 73-note keyboard, the Mark II offers a full range of warm, bell-like tones that have been the hallmark of Rhodes pianos for decades. Its iconic action and unmistakable timbre make it a favorite among jazz, rock, and R&B musicians alike.

The Fender Rhodes Mark II stands out with its intuitive mechanical design, allowing for expressive dynamics and a natural playing experience. Its robust build and road-ready construction ensure it can withstand the rigors of touring, while the thoughtfully designed preamp provides the flexibility to shape your sound to perfection. Whether you're a seasoned professional or a passionate enthusiast, the Mark II delivers timeless quality and an unmatched playing experience.

Key Features:

  • 73-note keyboard for a broad tonal range
  • Classic Rhodes sound with bell-like tones
  • Durable build for reliable performance
  • Road-ready design for touring musicians
  • Intuitive mechanical action for expressive playability
  • Versatile preamp for sound customization
  • Iconic choice for jazz, rock, and R&B styles

Product specs

Brand Rhodes
Model Mark II Stage 73-Key Electric Piano
Finish Black Flat Top
Year 1979 - 1983
Made In United States
Categories Electric Pianos
Analog / Digital Analog
Key Size Full Size
Keyboard Action Weighted
Number of Keys 73 Keys

FAQs

What type of sound can I expect from the Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73?

The Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73 delivers a warm, bell-like tone with a distinctive, smooth sound that is ideal for jazz, rock, and soul music. Its analog design produces a rich, dynamic range that is favored by many professional musicians.

How does the weighted action of the keys on the Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73 affect playability?

The weighted action of the keys provides a more authentic piano feel, offering better control and expression for dynamic playing. This feature makes it suitable for pianists looking for a realistic and responsive electric piano experience.

Is the Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73 suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73 is well-suited for live performances due to its durable build and classic electric piano sound. It offers reliable performance and a distinctive tone that cuts through the mix on stage.

What is the primary difference between the Rhodes Mark II and traditional acoustic pianos?

Unlike traditional acoustic pianos that use strings, the Rhodes Mark II uses metal tines struck by hammers, creating its unique sound through electromagnetic pickups. This design provides a more portable option with a distinct tonal character.

How many keys does the Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73 have, and are they full-sized?

The Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73 features 73 full-sized keys, offering a broad range for versatile playing while maintaining a compact form factor compared to an 88-key piano.

Jack Rownes

Jack Rownes

Fender Rhodes MkII Electric Piano Demo

Video thumbnail for Fender Rhodes MkII Electric Piano Demo by Jack Rownes

Fender Rhodes MkII Electric Piano Demo

Jack Rownes

Jack Rownes

Video thumbnail for Awesome Vintage Rhodes MkII Stage 73 electric piano! by PTD Unlimited Vintage

Awesome Vintage Rhodes MkII Stage 73 electric piano!

PTD Unlimited Vintage

PTD Unlimited Vintage

Video thumbnail for Super Clean Vintage Rhodes MkII Stage 73 Electric Piano by PTD Unlimited Vintage

Super Clean Vintage Rhodes MkII Stage 73 Electric Piano

PTD Unlimited Vintage

PTD Unlimited Vintage

Video thumbnail for Fantastic Vintage Rhodes Stage 73 Mkii Electric Piano! by PTD Unlimited Vintage

Fantastic Vintage Rhodes Stage 73 Mkii Electric Piano!

PTD Unlimited Vintage

PTD Unlimited Vintage

Video thumbnail for Rhodes Mark II 73 at Collar City Guitars by Collar City Guitars

Rhodes Mark II 73 at Collar City Guitars

Collar City Guitars

Collar City Guitars

Reviews

PROS

  • Unique vintage sound that distinguishes it from other electric pianos

  • Great piece of musical history with a nostalgic appeal

  • Ideal for studio recordings, offering a distinctive tonal quality

  • Comparable to the legendary Mark V, just slightly less refined

  • Perfect for at-home use, adding character to personal music spaces

CONS

  • Design flaws that some users find unavoidable

  • Not the best option for touring due to its size and weight

  • Sound quality may not match earlier vintage models

  • Requires frequent maintenance and tuning adjustments

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73.

Setup and maintenance

  • Owners note that replacing broken tines on a Rhodes is as simple as unscrewing and screwing a new one on, comparable to changing guitar strings.

    Source
  • Adjusting the magnetic pickup position can easily fix uneven key volume issues, referred to as "voicing a Rhodes."

    Source
  • Factory bumped pedestals in '78-'79 models are considered optimal for smoother action.

    Source
  • 1980s models may suffer from bad pickups; owners recommend testing with a multimeter to identify problematic units for replacement.

    Source
  • Owners note that rewinding pickups is labor-intensive but rewarding, potentially restoring full functionality in a neglected Rhodes.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Adding a custom preamp circuit into the "name rail" significantly enhances sound when running through tube amps or pedals.

    Source
  • Replacing worn rubber buffers greatly improves sound quality if the instrument hasn’t been restored.

    Source
  • Vintage Vibe's Miracle Mod is recommended for addressing sluggish action issues.

    Source
  • For pickup replacements, Vintage Vibe is frequently recommended as a reliable source for quality parts.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Ideal for studio settings where its nuanced playing response and aftertouch significantly outperform emulations.

    Source
  • Owners suggest a 73-key model over the 88 for better portability and avoiding a "mucky" lower register.

    Source

User experience

  • Transporting the Rhodes for gigs is challenging due to its weight, making it more suitable as a stationary studio instrument.

    Source
  • Tone differences between Mark I and II are mostly attributed to manufacturing variances rather than model differences.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Mark II models often have plastic keys, unlike the wooden keys of Mark I, impacting the preferred classic sound and feel.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A 1980 Mark II in poor condition can still be a good deal at $700, often requiring repair but valued higher online.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 24 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
pharrmusic

Irreplaceable

Nothing else really does what a Rhodes does. Even though there are definitely design flaws, you have to live with them.

javiwins

love my rhodes

it's a great piece of history. It's not ideal for touring or anything because it's like...88 keys hahahaha.

but some people do that....

if you have studio space, it's great. Right now though, it just lives in my room.

clutchsound

Old girls need love.

Worked on numerous times, I love it, but I hate it. So many things right, but when I record I use a VI. Boooooo.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Dominic Fike uses Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73

Dominic Fike

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video titled "Dominic Fike," Dominic Fike is seen with a Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73, indicating he owns it, although it is not his primary instrument.

See how Minilogue uses Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73

Minilogue

Music Producer

Minilogue

...
Verified via YouTube

Minilogue's studio is surrounded by serene nature outside of Malmö, Sweden. It's here that Sebastian Mullaert and Markus Henriksson compose their lush, evolving techno suites with a variety of hardware and software - with Live at the center of each musician's setup. In the video below, Sebastian gives us an overview of Minilogue's technology.

See how David August uses Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73

David August

Keyboardist, Composer

...
Verified via YouTube

In the Resident Advisor session "The Definition of Happiness," David August is seen using a Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73, positioned beneath his MacBook.

See how Francisco Durán uses Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73

Francisco Durán

Singer, Guitarist

Los Bunkers

...
Verified via YouTube

Francis usó este piano rhodes para la grabación del disco "Vida de perros", como se ve en el video musical de "Llueve sobre la ciudad", y también en varias presentaciones en vivo en los 2000s, y lo volvió a usar para la gran mayoría de sus conciertos en México destacándose las 2 fechas en el auditorio nacional el 7 y 8 de junio de 2023, y la volvería a usar para las primeras fechas de la gira "Ven aquí" en chile en verano de 2024.

See how Mathew Jonson uses Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73

Mathew Jonson

Music Producer

Cobblestone Jazz

...
Verified via Attack Magazine

In his My Studio feature for Attack Magazine, Mathew Jonson writes: "This is my Fender Rhodes Stage Mark II. That and my Yamaha CS-60 and D85 are my three favourite instruments. None have MIDI or CV so you just have to play them. I find more enjoyment sitting down at any of these than using the entire rest of my studio."

See how Ray Charles uses Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73

Ray Charles

Keyboardist

U.S.A. for Africa

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video you can see Ray Charles playing a Fender Rhodes MK II.

See how George Duke uses Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73

George Duke

Singer, Keyboardist

Earth, Wind & Fire

...
Verified via YouTube

In the short documentary "Fender Rhodes Story" by Brandon Williams, George Duke is featured using a heavily modified Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73. Known for his extensive use of the Rhodes, Duke relied on it until digital keyboards could emulate its iconic tone, making touring easier.

See how Grant Nicholas uses Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73

Grant Nicholas

Singer, Guitarist

Feeder

...
Verified via Photo

Pictured on Grant's Instagram (3rd picture in the link), he has a Rhodes in his studio

See how Jack Conte uses Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73

Jack Conte

Guitarist, Music Producer

Scary Pockets

...
Verified via YouTube

In the Pomplamoose video "Bust Your Knee Caps (Johnny Don't Leave Me)" on YouTube, Jack Conte is seen using a Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73. The band’s official website also listed this instrument on their gear page in 2012, though Conte expressed uncertainty about its manufacturing year.

See how Bill Laurance uses Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73

Bill Laurance

Keyboardist, Composer

Snarky Puppy

...
Verified via YouTube

At 3.20 and 3.31 you can see the label of the Rhodes quite clearly. He tends to use a Rhodes during many of Snarky Puppy's performances, which can be seen through their other videos to confirm this.

See how Edwin Congreave uses Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73

Edwin Congreave

Keyboardist, Composer

Foals

...
Verified via YouTube

Mark II Rhodes at 1:05

See how Fito Páez uses Fender Rhodes Mark II Stage Piano 73

Fito Páez

Guitarist, Keyboardist

...
Verified via YouTube

Paez en vivo en Tenerife durante 1998

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 II Stage Piano 73, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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dandydust

dandydust

Gear IQ 180

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blondguru

Gear IQ 2065

mach4

mach4

Gear IQ 1256

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Gear IQ 1256

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teodor_pop

Gear IQ 135

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