What is the Stewart Stage Preamp?

[DynoCzarus Rex]

Just saw a Stage model rhodes with a Stewart Stage preamp. What exactly does that mean?

[laberge]

Here's some info:

I also managed to find an old Stewart pre-amp, which is a little op-amp board powered by a 9v battery. It boosts the signal and gives you some EQ control. Stewart Electronics is now a big, proper, company, with a big, proper product line. I talked to one of the founders of the company at NAMM many years ago, and asked him about the Rhodes piano preamp. He gave kind of a boy-those-were-the-days chuckle, and said that the Rhodes preamp was their very first product. This humble little device gives the Rhodes an amazingly clear bell-like sound if you want, or it can get all burly and fat.

http://www.oceanbeach.com/ches/daves_gear/rhodes.html
Actually some other super neat info on that site too.

and a picture: http://retrorentals.net/product/1972-fender-rhodes-mark-1/ (bjammerz' company? I can't remember which member runs retro rentals, he could probably help)

[Ben Bove]

Yes that's mine, thanks.  The Stewart preamp is an active 9v preamp that improves the gain for treble and bass.  Originally it came with no faceplate, but later a light blue faceplate was introduced.  So you may see a Stewart without anything identifying it as one, but a green board with a 9V slot.  There were other companies that had boards like this as well, so sometimes it can be hard to ID.

The most important part is that they're a powered preamp so the EQ possibilities are much improved.  However, carry an extra 9V!