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Average Price: $2,100

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$4500+

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Description

The Fender Rhodes is a quintessential electric piano that has shaped the sound of countless genres, from jazz to rock. Known for its distinctive, warm tone, the Rhodes has an unmistakable, bell-like sound that can't be replicated by any other instrument. Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring musician, the Rhodes offers an expressive playing experience that resonates with music lovers worldwide.

Equipped with 73 weighted keys, the Fender Rhodes provides a tactile feel akin to acoustic pianos, making it ideal for performers seeking dynamic control. Its compact design and robust build make it a reliable choice for both studio sessions and live performances, where its legendary sound can truly shine.

This vintage instrument is celebrated for its unique tine-based sound generation system, which combines mechanical and electrical components to produce its signature tones. Since its introduction, the Rhodes has remained a favorite among musicians for its ability to seamlessly blend into a wide range of musical styles while retaining its own character.

For those looking to recreate iconic sounds or explore new musical territories, the Fender Rhodes is an instrument that offers endless possibilities.

Key Features:

  • 73 weighted keys for authentic acoustic piano feel
  • Unique tine-based sound generation system
  • Signature bell-like tone ideal for jazz, rock, and more
  • Compact design suitable for studio and live settings
  • Durable construction for reliable performance
J3PO

J3PO

catching a vibe with my 1973 Fender Rhodes Mark I

Video thumbnail for catching a vibe with my 1973 Fender Rhodes Mark I by J3PO

catching a vibe with my 1973 Fender Rhodes Mark I

J3PO

J3PO

Video thumbnail for Fender-Rhodes Mark 1 Stage Piano | Reverb Demo Video by Reverb

Fender-Rhodes Mark 1 Stage Piano | Reverb Demo Video

Reverb

Reverb

Video thumbnail for Complete Restoration 1973 Fender Rhodes Electric Piano (In English) by soundlutions

Complete Restoration 1973 Fender Rhodes Electric Piano (In English)

soundlutions

soundlutions

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Rhodes (General).

Setup and maintenance

  • Factory-bumped pedestals on '78-'79 models are preferred for smoother action, making these years a sweet spot for restoration projects.

    Source
  • Inspect for mechanical issues like bent chassis, stuck keys, buzzing, and hum. Check for crackling potentiometers and low note volume indicating pickup issues.

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  • Tone bars and pickups often require replacement; missing pieces can drastically affect functionality, requiring extensive repairs.

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Use cases and applications

  • A Fender Rhodes typically sounds best when amplified through a tube guitar amp like a Fender Twin Reverb, which is believed to match the factory voicing.

    Source
  • The Mark V is not considered highly collectible; potential buyers are advised to look inside for damage from overplaying, such as broken or bent tines.

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  • When testing pickups, note that one dead pickup can affect an entire octave due to series wiring.

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User experience

  • Owners emphasize the uniqueness of each Rhodes, suggesting a hands-on trial before purchase due to varied action and tone between units.

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  • Owners describe the Mark V as having a bright tone not suitable for darker, classic Rhodes sounds like "Riders On The Storm".

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  • Vintage Rhodes are heavy and not practical for frequent transportation, often leading owners to alternative solutions like Nord keyboards.

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Mods and upgrades

  • The Miracle Mod by Vintage Vibe is recommended to address sluggish action, enhancing playability significantly.

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  • Vintage Vibe offers a refurb kit for replacing worn rubber tips and grommets, allowing for DIY restoration to improve playability.

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  • Tines and Reeds in Germany and EP Service in the Netherlands are recommended for sourcing parts and services.

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Comparisons

  • The Yamaha Reface CP is favored for its portability and simplicity, offering effects and ease of use compared to the heavier, maintenance-intensive Rhodes.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The Mark V is rare, with only about 2000 made, but prices can be high. Ensure condition justifies cost, especially if repairs are needed.

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  • A 1977 Fender Rhodes in poor condition with missing parts may require an additional €2000 in parts for restoration.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 12 Ratings

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Artist usage

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See how Edgar Froese uses Fender Rhodes (General)

Edgar Froese

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Tangerine Dream

...
Verified via The Music Aficionado

... This is the story of Tangerine Dream’s Ricochet.... The array of electronic equipment used by Tangerine Dream on that tour was formidable indeed. For its time it looked nothing short of a futuristic world controlled by machines. For the die hard rig fanatics, an approximate list of the machines used by the three members of the group at the Coventry Cathedral show included:

See how Shigeto uses Fender Rhodes (General)

Shigeto

Music Producer

...
Verified via XLR8R

You can see his Rhodes in several of the pictures. He also states "I had the main components—the Rhodes [electric piano], my drums, the Micromoog [synthesizer], and the Critter & Guitari pocket-piano synths and some other smaller stuff."

See how Paul Meany uses Fender Rhodes (General)

Paul Meany

Singer, Keyboardist

MUTEMATH

...
Verified via YouTube

Paul Meany used a Fender Rodes on tour druing earlier Mutemath Shows. In this video where Mutmath is playing Break the Same live at Criminal Records in 2007, the item can be seen best at 2:36.

See how Mathew Jonson uses Fender Rhodes (General)

Mathew Jonson

Music Producer

Cobblestone Jazz

...
Verified via fabric london

"Most of it was done with the [...] Fender Rhodes"

See how Geoff Downes uses Fender Rhodes (General)

Geoff Downes

Keyboardist

Yes

...
Verified via Muzines

"That's when I got the Fender Rhodes, which I still use occasionally. At the time that was the standard setup: Hammond and Fender Rhodes."

See how Thomas Dolby uses Fender Rhodes (General)

Thomas Dolby

Singer, Keyboardist

Bruce Woolley & The Camera Club

...
Verified via Muzines

"The Transcendent was soon joined by a Moog Micromoog, a Crumar string synthesiser, a Fender Rhodes, a Roland Jupiter 4, an early PPG system (with which he performed his original solo concerts), a PPG Wave 2.2 (a gift from PPG because the original instrument was so unreliable), a Jupiter 8, a Fairlight Series II and a Fairlight Series III."

See how Black Moth Super Rainbow uses Fender Rhodes (General)

Black Moth Super Rainbow

Music Producer

Black Moth Super Rainbow

...
Verified via Photo

In this image a Rhodes Electric Piano can be seen (below the SXSW banner). I’m unsure on which exact version it is but it does appear to me to be a Rhodes MK I (1975-1979) as there is no Fender logo.

See how Matt Johnson uses Fender Rhodes (General)

Matt Johnson

Keyboardist

Jamiroquai

...
Verified via SoundCloud

At 5:27 in this interview, Matt says, "Well, I use a Fender Rhodes; it goes through a Line 6."

See how Brian D'Addario uses Fender Rhodes (General)

Brian D'Addario

Guitarist, Bassist

The Lemon Twigs

...
Verified via YouTube

In the "these words" music video, Brian can be seen playing the classic Rhodes Got confirmation from this photo of the twigs performing at austin city limits: https://www.baeblemusic.com/photos/10-9-2017/austin-city-limits/the-lemon-twigs.html#lg=1&slide=2

See how Nick Hexum uses Fender Rhodes (General)

Nick Hexum

Singer, Guitarist

311

...
Verified via 311

Listed on the official 311 website, http://www.311.com/band/equipment

See how Michael D'Addario uses Fender Rhodes (General)

Michael D'Addario

Guitarist, Bassist

The Lemon Twigs

...
Verified via Altcitizen

In this set of photos on ALT citezen, Michael can be seen playing the Rhodes that makes quite a few appearances in their music.

See how Robert Glasper uses Fender Rhodes (General)

Robert Glasper

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Robert Glasper Experiment

...
Verified via YouTube

Robert Glasper & Bilal At NPR Music's 10th Anniversary Concert at 18:39 can be seen playing suitcase version

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 (General), it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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dazedjames

dazedjames

Gear IQ 126

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