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Average Price: $2,100
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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
Videos
J3PO
catching a vibe with my 1973 Fender Rhodes Mark I
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
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Factory-bumped pedestals on '78-'79 models are preferred for smoother action, making these years a sweet spot for restoration projects.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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The Yamaha Reface CP is favored for its portability and simplicity, offering effects and ease of use compared to the heavier, maintenance-intensive Rhodes.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 12 Ratings
Artist usage
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Anthony Marinelli is confirmed to use the Fender Rhodes, as it is featured at 17:48 in his studio tour video titled "My Synth Studio Revealed | Studio Tour 2025," authored by Anthony Marinelli Music on YouTube.
His 73-key Mark I is featured at 2:13 in this video tour of DJ Spinna's studio, released August 5, 2009 on High Water Music's YouTube channel. It was previously listed in this June 1, 2001 Remix article.
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The liner notes of Intergalacic Soul specify its use on "Where's Your Love?", "Back 2 U", "Peace and Quiet", "Butterfly Girl", "Could It Be Too Soon", "We Can Change This World", "Show Us How You Fly", "Living My Life" and "Bye Bye Bye".
Patrice Rushen is known to use both the Fender Rhodes 73 and 88, as noted on her official website.
In the video titled "Reese Wynans: B3 and Leslie Speaker 101" from Inside Blackbird, a Fender Rhodes can be clearly seen to the right of Reese Wynans at the 0:45 second mark, situated against the wall.
My current set up has the Virus TI Polar 2; the Nord Stage 2 for all of those Rhodes, B3, Acoustic Piano, and wurly sounds; Apple Mainstage for all of the plug-ins, and sometimes two other generic keyboards for all the bread and butter stuff.
Jürgen Fritz is credited with playing a Fender Rhodes on the album "Pompeii" by New Triumvirat, as noted in the liner notes and documented on Discogs.
Interview with Tommy Mars TM: Well it’s just amazing, when I did my audition and Frank said “You brought some gear with you?” I brought my Rhodes, and I brought my Electrocomp, and my Taurus bass pedals, and he said “what’s this?” and I undid it and I played something, and of course my signature sound was a French horn kind of brass sound that it did, it was my kind of signature, and his jaw dropped . I don’t think he’d had ever heard a synth kind of do that kind of sound in that kind of expression that it was able to have.
And I said “this E-mu you that you have?”, and he was just like so proud of his E-mu, this is so funny man!), and the only sound that he had on it , which is the easiest sound in the world to make, was a little pipe organ sound, an eight foot and a four foot, no envelope, no nothing, I said “you mean with all this that’s all you got?”(laughs), and he says “Yeah?” and I said “Well I don’t think you noticed that the Electrocomp is very similar, I could set this sound up exactly for you on the E-mu, and then you’d have five voices, you’d have complete polyphony”. And in those days that was like, you know, going to the emerald city, like follow the yellow brick road!”
Album Usage
The Fender Rhodes (General) has been featured on the following albums:
It Was A Short Summer, Charlie Brown (Original Soundtrack Recording 55th Anniversary Edition)
Vince Guaraldi (2024)
Alive & In Person
Geese (2024)
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (50th Anniversary Edition)
Vince Guaraldi (2023)
MOTHERLESS [Feat. Eryn Allen Kane] (Robert Glasper Rendition)
Robert Glasper Experiment & Killer Mike & Robert Glasper (2023)
A Boy Named Charlie Brown
Vince Guaraldi Trio (2021)
Circles
Mac Miller (2020)
Mother
Charlie Puth (2019)
Slide (feat. Frank Ocean & Migos)
Calvin Harris (2017)
Discovery (Remastered 2015)
Mike Oldfield (2016)
Do Hollywood
The Lemon Twigs (2016)
IV
BADBADNOTGOOD (2016)
It Was the Worst of Times, It Was the Worst of Times.
Gavin Castleton (2014)
Random Access Memories
Daft Punk & Daft Punk (2013)
Double Booked
Robert Glasper Experiment & Robert Glasper (2009)
Three
Ph.D. (2009)
Intergalactic Soul
Dj spinna (2006)
10:1
Rogue Wave (2005)
Discovery
Daft Punk & Daft Punk (2001)
Whatever
Oasis (1994)
El Álbum
Charly García (1994)
Live Forever
Oasis (1994)
Mahavishnu
The Mahavishnu Orchestra (1984)
The Many Facets Of Roger
Roger "Rogga" Pettersson & Roger Troutman & Roger "Trotwood" Nowell (1981)
Free Smiles: Live At Montreux
Mike Mainieri & Warren Bernhardt (1978)
Amigos
Santana (1976)
Larry Young's Fuel
Larry Young (1975)
Live At The Rainbow
Focus (1973)
Completely Well
B.B. King (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 (General), it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
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