Rhodes Mark 2 with wooden keys appreciation thread!

[goldphinga]

Just had to say, I love my 4980 MK2 Janus panel Stage. Everything seems to be spot on with it! Super fast but controllable action (wooden keybed), beautiful sounding tines with long sustain, plays and sounds amazingly. Anyone else have a wooden keyed MK2 and want to express their love for it...?! These wooden key MK2's are a far cry from the plastic action models which I avoid like the plague...

[Ben Bove]

The 1980 Mark II with wood keys is a favorite of mine as well.  That post I did recently about how Mark IIs are often cast off as being sub-par pianos, it's mainly this vintage that doesn't get enough appreciation.

[goldphinga]

Yep, great to know yours is a good one too. Was the one you played in the youtube vid a 1980 model as it sounded stunning? I actually sold mine to a friend and I missed it so much i bought it back from them as they needed the cash. I toured with mine from 2001 to 2007 and it never missed a beat.

So apart from the case and longer hammer throw, do the 1980 models use the same tines as the Mark V? I've heard a lot of MK2's that sound really bell like and clean but mine sounds more like a mid production MK1 with loads of woodyness, bark and bite and thats without modding the hammer tip ranges. I put all new VV screws, washers, grommets and tips in last week and its like new now.

And the best thing apart from the tone is the action, its SO fast but controllable too. I guess some pianos just came together right when they were being made...

[Ben Bove]

Yes it was a wood key model.  I don't believe they changed tine vendors in the 80s so a Mark II should have the same tines as a Mark V. 

In my opinion they really got the action right on the mid '78 to early '81 wood bump integrated keys.  A little escapement adjustment usually, and they're completely even, light and responsive - my favorite action.

[Student Rhodes]

I agree, that '78 is a great action.  The factory bump makes a huge difference in feel.  Also the key caps feel very solid, but they're not as brittle as the 76-77 keys.

I guess the knock on those pianos would be that they don't have Torringtons, if that's the sound you're after.  My friend has a stage model with a 78 action and 76 tines.  It's got the sound, and feels solid and smooth.

I could see having one as a second or third Rhodes.

[The Real MC]

Nothing beats wood keys, but it doesn't imply great action.  I made the mistake of buying a '76 Rhodes stage 73 with wood keys thinking the action would be great - NOT!

Pianos made later than 1978 had the pedestal bump - THAT gives great action!