Conference napalm::commusic_v1

    I've had my Rhodes for almost 10 years now, having paid the princely
    sum of $200 for it.
    
    Would I recommend one? Does a qualified "probably not" serve as an
    answer? Here's why...
    
             1. Can you say HEAVY? I can pick mine up by myself, but
                I'm not gonna move it far.
    
             2. Only one sound, Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, and frankly,
                it doesn't do that sound all that well.
    
             3. Mine constantly goes out of tune. This is no big deal
                in the low and middle octaves, but tuning the hi-end
                is a bear.
    
    The action on mine seems to have stayed consistent over the years, but
    I'm not too sensitive to action, preferring "organ" type keyboards.
    
    My synth stand is set up around the Rhodes as such that he piano forms
    a fourth tier. It's main function has evolved into a storage shelf. I
    play it rarely, generally because I have floppies spread out all over
    the keyboard.
    
    Despite it all, I wouldn't sell it. For the price I could get, it's
    not worth the hassle of not having it there.
    
    You could get ALOT more versatility for the money you'd pay for a
    Rhodes.
    
    Edd

    I considered one too, but I'm a piano tech, and I knew I could fix
    anything that went wrong with it. But the action IS of very poor
    quality, and even with the ability to maintain it for free, I think I'd
    still rather have something more up to date. My $.o2 worth
    

    
    	Another thumbs down... I've heard thousands of them over the
    	years, and only heard *one* whose sound I liked. It had a stereo
    	chorus and was babied by the owner, and even he sold it for
    	an ARP elec piano, which sounded better. I might buy one if
    	it had *that* sound, but most sounded either like a marimba, or
    	had that damned distorted sound. 
    
    	The weight of them is another story. I tried to bench press
    	and 88 key job to impress a groupie... can you say hernia?
    
    	Guy
    

    The Rhodes was indeed an elctro-acoustic instrument.  I can't speak for
    the older models, but in my Stage 73 (around 1980 model) the thing has
    soft rubber hammers that hit tuned tines (not unlike tuning forks). 

    If you can find a good one, and *really* want *that* particular sound,
    I can't see any reason why you shouldn't be able to get it for around
    $300 or so.  Mine is in mint condition - I had it in the want ads for
    several weeks at $200, and didn't even get a call (but I'm in Ohio, and
    not the NE area).  There's no way I'd *ever* pay over that for one,
    unless you're interested one as a collector's item. 

    Unlike others, I've had no problems with tuning or action.  In fact,
    the action in my Rhodes is quite decent - it's not a Steinay, of
    course, but it beats the heck out of many newer controllers for feel. 

    Edd is right, they're heavy as lead - mine weighs in at somewhere
    around 140-150 lbs!

    An interesting aside - Roland has a 'Rhodes remake' coming out; it was
    in their last RUG rag.  I can't believe that there's still a market
    for these things such that Roland can afford to drop money like
    it appears they've dropped.

-b

    
    In fact the Roland Rhodes remake is really an electronic piano and
    Midi keyboard so it's probably more aligned to the RD300 type machines
    than the OLD Rhodes.
    
    					Paul.
    

    
    Then how about those wild Roland electronic harpsichords...what the
    heck is the market for those?  They look and sound nice though....
    
    						Brian

    As the former owner of a 73 Stage Rhodes and an 88 Rhodes I'd have
    to offer a definite yes/no on buying one.
    
    First if you really like the sound and feel of a Rhodes, and are
    not planning on moving it too much, go for it. It is a classic
    instrument. It is also obsolete, but then again so are Edsel's.
    
    I sold my 88 in near mint condition about three years ago for $500.
    The guy that bought it was thrilled with it.
    
    You should realize that because of size and weight, if a Rhodes
    has been gigged at all, it probably has the scars to prove it.
    
    Check out the action. My old 73 started out in life with felt hammers.
    I sent it in for a refit and the tech fell in love with it. She
    spent spare time for three weeks and refitted it with rubber tipped
    hammers for about $100. I was very lucky!!!
    	Treat a Rhodes roughly and it will go out of tune, and just
    about everything else. Treat it kindly and it will only require
    minor tinkering now and then.
    	Fiddle with the pickup adjustments and tone wand positions and
    change the sound brighter or more mellow. (follow this advice at
    your own risk). 
    	Gig with a rhodes and enjoy its simplicity. Pack your
    Rhodes and watch the other band members dissapear when you look
    for assistance to carry it.
    
    	For a long time I was convinced that the definition of "portable"
    only meant that there were handles screwed into it somewhere. I
    got this impression while carrying the Rhodes.
    
    	Do you want a great keyboard with all kinds of mind blowing
    effects? Don't buy a Rhodes. Do you want a classic instrument, with
    character, but limited dynamic range, that will give you years of
    exercise moving it? Buy a Rhodes. Don't bother comparing it to the
    kind of gear that you can buy nowadays, the Rhodes will lose. If
    you love the Rhodes, buy it for itself. It is a very up front
    instrument. In five minutes of inspection and playing you will know
    what you have. A Rhodes never pretends to be more than it is. (Unlike
    *some* instruments I could mention.)
    
    			regards,
    			Mark

    ...good note Mark (like a cry from the wilderness ?)...
    
    I also am lumbered with an old Rhodes which I could trade in for a 
    couple of MIDI cables. At that rate; not on your Nellie. It is a
    monster to humph, but stationary (like in my room) it has much to offer
    in the way of character (Mark - I've tried adjusting those little
    coils; the little b****s). Seriously, I reckon a sampler driven from an
    Atari (say) must be the best way to adjust (& tune) these Jezebels.
    
    Long live the Rhodes.