Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $2,250
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$2499
$4500+
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Description
Introducing the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass, a legendary instrument that shares a deep history with rock 'n' roll. This is the first Rhodes electric piano that was built in collaboration with Fender, bringing together the best of both worlds. It features a 32-note range that is similar to a bass guitar, making it a versatile and unique addition to any musician's collection. Loved and used by some of the most iconic artists including Led Zeppelin, Herbie Hancock, Radiohead, Ray Charles, and Jamiroquai, this piano bass holds a special place in music history. Its unique tonal qualities and dynamic range make it a must-have for any serious musician looking to deliver an unforgettable performance.
Key Features:
- First Rhodes electric piano built in collaboration with Fender
- Features a 32-note range similar to a bass guitar
- Used by many iconic artists across genres
- Offers unique tonal qualities and a dynamic range for versatile performances
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Rhodes Piano Bass |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1970 - 1974 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Electric Pianos |
| Analog / Digital | Analog |
| Key Size | Full Size |
| Keyboard Action | Weighted |
| Number of Keys | 32 Keys |
FAQs
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What is the primary use of the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass?
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The Fender Rhodes Piano Bass is designed to provide bass lines using a keyboard format. It covers the same pitch range as an electric bass, making it ideal for musicians who want to add bass parts without a traditional bass guitar.
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How many keys does the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass have?
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The Fender Rhodes Piano Bass features 32 full-size, weighted keys, which allows for expressive playing and a feel similar to a traditional piano.
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What makes the sound of the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass unique?
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The Fender Rhodes Piano Bass produces sound through vibrating tines, offering a mellow timbre distinct from traditional pianos. The tone can be adjusted by changing the position of the tines relative to the pickups, creating its signature "bell" sound.
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Is the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass is popular for live performances due to its portability and unique sound that fills the low-end frequency range, complementing other instruments on stage.
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What era is the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass from?
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The Fender Rhodes Piano Bass was manufactured between 1970 and 1974 in the United States, making it a vintage electric piano with a classic sound and design.
Videos
RhodesG101
1966 Fender Rhodes Piano Bass Demo 4
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Rhodes Piano Bass.
Features and functionality
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The Rhodes Piano Bass is noted for having a "Bass Boost" knob, which acts as a passive EQ filter to manage low-end frequencies.
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The instrument typically includes the bottom 32 notes from a 73-key model, enabling bassline play while performing leads or chords on another instrument.
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Some owners have specific models like a gold sparkle and brown finish, mirroring the iconic style used by Ray Manzarek.
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The use of an Acoustic branded amp, similar to those used by The Doors, can significantly enhance the instrument's output volume and tonal clarity.
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User experience
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Owners often describe the tone as having a "hot aggressive bark," distinct from the darker, more brittle sound of a full-size Rhodes Suitcase 88.
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The weight of the Rhodes Piano Bass is approximately 50 pounds, offering portability compared to the 130-pound full-size Rhodes.
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Owners with expansive collections, including vintage keyboards and guitars, often regard the Piano Bass as a standout piece due to its unique tone and historical significance.
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Use cases and applications
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The Doors' Ray Manzarek famously used the Piano Bass live, often stacking it with an organ to play bass and lead lines simultaneously.
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Ray Manzarek's style showcased the ability to play fluid right-hand lines while maintaining bass lines with the left, crucial to The Doors' sound.
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The Fender Rhodes Piano Bass was produced approximately from 1962 to 1980, with Ray's preferred style made between 1966 and 1969.
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Pairing the Piano Bass with a Gibson Kalamazoo organ replicates Ray Manzarek's setup from 1967, offering authentic vintage rock sounds.
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Comparisons
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Unlike a full-size Rhodes, the Piano Bass provides a lighter action, influencing its playability and tonal character.
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Value and pricing
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Early '60s models, like the one used by Ray Manzarek, cost around $2,500, but deals are possible on late '70s versions if you are patient.
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3.5 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings
3296
Very useful for bands w/o bass player
I have a silver sparkle-top Piano Bass, and I’ve gotten great use out of it over the years. The instrument does a solid job covering the low end when a bass player is absent. Obviously, it can’t do everything that a bass guitarist can, but I think it can hold its own when needed. It’s also very durable; I’ve dropped mine on several occasions and it’s still going strong!
Preferred Settings + Usage:
Throw it on a Gibson G-101 and get that classic Doors sound.
Artist usage
Add artist
Jack White can be seen playing a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass at 1:17 in this video.
"This Fender Rhodes Piano Bass is from the private collection of Billy Corgan.
This is one the earlier models with the centered knobs and funky colored fiberglass top. It is in mostly pristine condition, exceptionally clean for its age. The only signs of wear are two areas of slight surface stress on the fiberglass top (see photos). It is otherwise in min condition.
This Piano Bass plays comfortably and cleanly across all 32 notes, without any issues. The volume and tone knobs work as they should."
In this photo, Manzarek can be seen playing a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass on top of his Gibson G-101. Because the Doors did not have a bass player, Manzarek would play the bass lines on the Piano Bass with his left hand. He usually opted for the gold sparkle top model, which he'd place on top of either his Gibson G-101 or Vox Continental organ.
Part of Q-Tip's 2008 inventory, as listed in his January 2008 Remix interview. Transcripts can be found at the Future Producers forums (linked) and this Prince.org forum.
Fender Rhodes Bass, Rhodes suitcase Mark I
Seen in this 1967 concert in Winnipeg, Canada (according to MonkeesLiveAlmanac), on the far top right next to Peter, resides a Fender Rhodes Bass Piano, complete with the full keys. It may be that Peter used this keyboard occasionally when he did not have his Vox Continental organ with him.
"I wrote a whole load of stuff on that — the clavinet sound makes you use rhythms differently. I also used my Fender bass piano, like the one The Doors had. That changes bass lines — you use a lot more thirds and fifths.
In this SoundCloud collaboration with Broken Art Club, Flavien Berger mentions using a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass.
In this photo, Davy Jones can be seen playing a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass during soundcheck before a Monkees concert in 1967.
In an August 1967 edition of Monkees Monthly, a song-by-song recap of the Monkees’ concerts at Wembley detailed Davy Jones’s use of the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass on certain songs.
Then a personal favourite of mine—“Auntie Grizelda.” Peter singing most of the way, having ditched his guitar. Davy moves over to a piano-bass, playing booming notes with his right hand, left hand supporting him.
On to “Mary, Mary,” Davy retreating to the piano-bass again, with Peter on organ. Mike handling the main vocal line with his rather stern facial expression accenting his sheer concentration—and an ear-breaker of a scream when Davy flew to the centre for a few quick dance steps.
Yet there is still even more. They always close with “Stepping Stone,” accompanied by another burst of colour slides—each one earning a separate cheer and scream. And this is where the stage really bursts into colour and visual excitement. Multi-coloured lights flicker and change. Davy on piano-bass, Mike crouched by the amplifiers, producing wailing guitar sounds. Davy ends with his maraccas [sic]. And the show ends with incredible excitement.
Album Usage
The Fender Rhodes Piano Bass has been featured on the following albums:
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 Piano Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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