best Rhodes piano

I'm thinking about trying to get my hands on a rhodes stage piano, what are the best years for them? I hear the action is really tough on older ones, what year did they get lighter? thanks

The metal used in the Rhodes tines changed sometime in 1974. The MK I Stage-73 and 88 models, as well as the suitcase models, were the most popular models prior to and after '74 (the Rhodes 54, some of the student model Rhodes, and the Mk II pianos were produced later in the 1970's. ALL Rhodes have a stiff action, generally, although you can use silicon spray or teflon powder to loosen it up a bit. The older pianos (pre 1974) generally sound a little better and have more 'bite' to them, but are also subject to tines breaking easier than the models produced after '74 because of the metal used (as previously stated). Also, post '74 pianos say 'Rhodes' on the nameplate, and ones before that said 'Fender Rhodes'.

I have owned about 10 or 12 Rhodes over the years. I currently have a very unique Stage-73 piano. It was produced in late '74, after they changed the way the tines were made, but for some reason it has a 'Fender Rhodes' badge on the name rail. I was told that they were using the old stock up at the time and just stuck that name plate on it. Fine with me, since I think the older logo looks cooler.

I would probably try to find a mid-to-late '70's Stage-73. It was the most common model ever made, and usually the easiest to find. Try looking around at pawnshops or small local music stores. I have found them for as cheap as $50, but I have seen them sell on Ebay for rediculously high prices. Good luck!

>> what are the best years for them? I hear the action is really tough on >> older ones, what year did they get lighter? thanks

I find that that the Mark II's have a lighter action. I owned a Mark I stage 73 for a long time. Very sluggish and heavy action. Now I have a Mark II, the action is noticeably lighter and faster. In fact, the action on my current one is really nice - feels very much like a piano.

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I think the most important thing is to get a 73 key and never an 88. Those 88's are huge,

I'd say the opposite Apart from the 'huge' comment

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