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Average Price: $2,250

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$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

What is the primary use of the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass?

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.

How many keys does the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass have?

The Fender Rhodes Piano Bass features 32 full-size, weighted keys, which allows for expressive playing and a feel similar to a traditional piano.

What makes the sound of the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass unique?

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.

Is the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass suitable for live performances?

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.

What era is the Fender Rhodes Piano Bass from?

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.

RhodesG101

RhodesG101

1966 Fender Rhodes Piano Bass Demo 4

Video thumbnail for 1966 Fender Rhodes Piano Bass Demo 4 by RhodesG101

1966 Fender Rhodes Piano Bass Demo 4

RhodesG101

RhodesG101

Video thumbnail for 1972 Fender Rhodes Piano Bass by ThePianoforever

1972 Fender Rhodes Piano Bass

ThePianoforever

ThePianoforever

Video thumbnail for 1966 Fender Rhodes Piano Bass Demo 5 by RhodesG101

1966 Fender Rhodes Piano Bass Demo 5

RhodesG101

RhodesG101

Video thumbnail for 1966 Fender Rhodes Piano Bass Demo 2 by RhodesG101

1966 Fender Rhodes Piano Bass Demo 2

RhodesG101

RhodesG101

Video thumbnail for Vintage Rhodes Piano Bass | Reverb Demo Video by Reverb

Vintage Rhodes Piano Bass | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Head to Head: 1960's vs 1970's Fender Rhodes Piano Bass by Analog Emma

Head to Head: 1960's vs 1970's Fender Rhodes Piano Bass

Analog Emma

Analog Emma

Video thumbnail for My new Fender rhodes piano bass #thedoors #organ #rhodes  #rhodespiano by cristian cornejo

My new Fender rhodes piano bass #thedoors #organ #rhodes #rhodespiano

cristian cornejo

cristian cornejo

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

  • The Rhodes Piano Bass is noted for having a "Bass Boost" knob, which acts as a passive EQ filter to manage low-end frequencies.

    Source
  • The instrument typically includes the bottom 32 notes from a 73-key model, enabling bassline play while performing leads or chords on another instrument.

    Source
  • Some owners have specific models like a gold sparkle and brown finish, mirroring the iconic style used by Ray Manzarek.

    Source
  • 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

  • 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.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Doors' Ray Manzarek famously used the Piano Bass live, often stacking it with an organ to play bass and lead lines simultaneously.

    Source
  • 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.

    Source
  • 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.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Unlike a full-size Rhodes, the Piano Bass provides a lighter action, influencing its playability and tonal character.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • 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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Build quality

  • The gold sparkle finish on some models has held up exceptionally well over 60 years, indicating durable craftsmanship.

    Source

3.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
bmw100997

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
See how Daryl Hooper uses Fender Rhodes Piano Bass

Daryl Hooper

Keyboardist

The Seeds

...
Verified via It's Psychedelic Baby Magazine

In this interview with Hooper, he explains that he used a Fender Rhodes piano bass during his time with the Seeds.

In the studio we used a bass player. For most songs, we used this fella’ named Harvey Sharpe. He’s still playing, I believe, a little bit around the Hollywood area. Yeah, we used him on most sessions but when we were first together and performing, I just used the low keys on the Wurlitzer piano and then the Fender Rhodes Bass came out, a little short keyboard, and I switched over to that. And this was before The Doors were doing it, by the way.

A

Alexis Angel

Bassist, Keyboardist

Strange Days

...
Verified via Facebook

In a Facebook photo posted by Alexis Angel, the artist can be seen with a Fender Rhodes Piano Bass.

Album Usage

The Fender Rhodes Piano Bass has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Rhodes Piano Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Hologram Electronics Microcosm
1
Synthesizers.com
Synthesizers.com Modular Synthesizers
1
Waldorf Iridium
Waldorf Iridium Synthesizers
1
Universal Audio 1176LN
Universal Audio 1176LN Effects Processors
1
Wurlitzer 140B
Wurlitzer 140B Vintage & Electric Pianos
1
Roland SDE-330
Roland SDE-330 Effects Processors
1
Chandler Limited LTD-1
Chandler Limited LTD-1 Effects Processors
1

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