Messages

This is my '77 Stage Rhodes with the legs and pedal - no braces. I picked it up for a grand and got a Wurlitzer 200 for free. Sold the beat up 200 for a grand!

I just need to find braces for it - this is my 4th Rhodes, the best was a '75 Super Satellite 88, but alas the action was pretty heavy.

The feel of the '77 is great, I did add for $10 my own version of the miracle mod using Plastruct. Works great!

Not sure about the dowel. Need a pic. Both Stage and Suitcase models have a 3/4" dowel
that the sustain rod pushes which in turn lifts the damper bar.  The Stage model has a
large hole in the bottom with a filler cup and a smaller hole that guides the sustain rod.
Not sure about a Suitcase. Could be the filler cup fell out and the dowel dropped into the
hole.

Prior to 1970 (not sure) the namerail for the suitcase had four holes. Three for the control
knobs and a larger one for the 4-pin connector. After a some point all Mark I models had the
two extra holes for "Accessories". They were just hidden behind the faceplate.

At least this is the way it is on my son's

As far as "88 KLY" goes, the first thing that came to mind was Robert Keeley who is famous
for guitar effects pedal mods. Low and behold I found this. Maybe you can contact them and
find out what they did to it.

http://www.12fret.com/new/Keeley_Robert_Electronics_pg.html

Keeley home page

http://www.rkfx.com/home.php

I wonder about that, it did have a customer preamp where a few extra holes were drilled through the rail. It's pretty battered, but the inside it clean and relatively rust/corrosion free - certainly less so than the MKII I used to own (as seen in the avatar). It'll be a cool project to fix it up for sure, its just a shame I put all those Vintage Vibe parts into the one I sold.

To unlock your door, you need a KLY.


I guess the E didn't get perfectly stamped on the label.

Haha, that's entirely possible!

D'oh - there's no flanges for the legs, it must be a suitcase! Anyone know what Mod. '88 KLY' means?

Hi All;

I just picked up a 1972 Fender Rhodes 88, as I sold my mint Super Sattelite 88 last year and have been looking for once since. This one is totally road worn, but has some interesting links to Toronto - repairs at the 12th Fret in the 70's and 80's. I got it for cheap as a project.

I'm curious - there is a wooden dowel where the hole normally is for the sustain pedal (on a stage model). Is it because this was once a suitcase? The knob faceplate is gone, but there is 3 holes, then a 4th bigger one. Someone also drilled 2 holes on the far left (maybe effects send).

Also, the Fender Rhodes name sticker on the harp says Mod. '88 KLY'. Not sure what that means.

Any help identifying? Thanks! Scott

Haha I got a '71 Wurly 200 - I still haven't got the sustain pedal because its too pricey. I find Wurlitzer's are always more on Craigslist (between $1K-2K!)  than a Rhodes, even though its a total beater.

I've got to say, the Rhodes is definitely easier to maintain and parts are easier to get for reasonable prices. I use the Wurly for gigging but still haven't quite mastered the tuning/voicing part - it's a total pain.

Hahaaaa...yes it is hot glue...well, it works anyway...

Hi Stevo;

Thanks for the reply, actually the 'Aux' output is the clean one (no crackles, etc.) Interestingly, the vibrato doesn't work on this output.

The 'Phones' output carries the vibrato effect, but its really noisey. I don't know if someone re-wired it in the past. The guy who I bought it from said it had a problem with one of the outputs.

He also said it used to belong to producer Brendan O'Brien, but I think he just needed the money...

*Re-post* (I think I only hit preview with my other message)

I see a lot of talk about cleaning tines with kerosene, or metal polishes. My MKII has white oxidized/rusty tines and I managed to clean ~20 with Scotch Brite, but they don't look too pretty.

My question is - is there any benefit in terms of longevity if you clean them, or is it cosmetic? I don't care how they look, I'd just like to prevent them from turning to dust.  

I'd prefer to leave them as is if there's no benefit in terms of longevity, durability, etc. It's a badass job and I got to install the Vintage Vibe refurb kit yet.

If I did use kerosene, how long would you soak them, and would you need to sand them immediately afterwards or can it wait until they're dry? :?

Hi All;

Here's some better pics:

Vibrato:
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz329/The_Cause2010/Wurlitzer/Vib1.jpg
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz329/The_Cause2010/Wurlitzer/Vib2.jpg

Amp:
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz329/The_Cause2010/Wurlitzer/Amp1.jpg

Pre-Amp:
http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz329/The_Cause2010/Wurlitzer/Pre1.jpg

Hi All - My Wurlitzer 200 has always worked alright, but now's the time to give it some TLC. One problem I've always had is the vibrato channel is noisy/static-y (snap, crackles *and* pops) - the other channel (without vibrato) is fine.

I think the outputs are reversed (ex. Phones / Aux) as well.

I think at some point somebody did some 'restoration' on the vibrato circuit/pc board/preamp - I'm not sure who, but they replaced the caps with Canadian Mallory's.

Anyway, I've deduced that the noises are coming from the signal traveling through the vibrato circuit and would like to re-solder/correct it. Can anyone make sense of this bird's nest?:

Image:

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz329/The_Cause2010/Wurlitzer/IMGP4825.jpg

On a lighter note, there's a 'Kilroy was Here' doodle on the the underside of the tonebar rail...

Haha actually he did have the speakers when I tried the piano out at his house - it was sick (that is to say, it sounded great). I didn't have the cash (or space) for the whole deal though. Thanks Sean I'll probably look at the VV power supply as they're good guys over there.

S

Well, this preamp is the same preamp that was sold with the Suitcase pianos in the mid seventies.

http://www.fenderrhodes.org/ch11/fig11-8.jpg

The Super Satellite System was available as an add-on kit that included a pair of speakers (master and slave), a long cable, and a replacement namerail with the preamp installed.

http://www.fenderrhodes.com/models/amp.php

You can buy a power supply that is sold for the "4-pin Suitcase" with a four-pin cable (and finally see if your preamp works).  However, if the guy you bought it from still has the Satellite Speakers, you can confirm that the preamp works, and bonk him on the head and steal his speakers.   Err, uh, I mean kindly ask if he will sell them too.

Power supplies combined with a pair of 1/4" output jacks are available, for instance:

http://www.vintagevibe.com/p-553-fender-rhodes-piano-suitcase-cheek-block-power-supply.aspx

http://www.ep-service.nl/joomla/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=178&category_id=51&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1

http://www.vintagevibe.com/p-528-rhodes-4-pin-5-pin-power-supply.aspx



sean

Aha!  :lol:

Thanks T - I wasn't considering the 'clip' in my count of the pins - so what do you think? 4 pin = Super Sattelite?

Hey All - It's definitely a 5-pin connector (excluding the centre hole). Also, now that I look closer it says 'Stage 88' on the inside label.

I found this '74 pic posted by Bjammerz, its identical to this one:

http://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?topic=5234.msg25963#msg25963

Hey all - thanks for the info

I assumed it was a super sattelite because the guy who sold it had the matching speakers and it kind of looked like it on the SS site.

There's actually no 'super satt.' on the namerail, nor on the inside. It does have 4 legs flanges and a 5-pin connector with vibrato/eq controls.

It's stamped '2274' on the pickup rail, and the hammers are wood/plastic.

Here's some pics!

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz329/The_Cause2010/Rhodes88/IMGP4900.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz329/The_Cause2010/Rhodes88/IMGP4899.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz329/The_Cause2010/Rhodes88/Rhodes88d.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz329/The_Cause2010/Rhodes88/Rhodes88a.jpg

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz329/The_Cause2010/Rhodes88/Rhodes88c.jpg

It should be that you get sound out of the top jack labelled Accessory 1, because 1 is the "send" and Accessory 2 is supposed to be the "return."

No biggie; your piano has these jacks flipped around.  Sometime between 1974 and yesterday, somebody was fiddling with your preamp, and either flipped the wires, or flipped the jacks around.

Cool.  Show us photos!


How can you tell it was a Super Satellite system and not just a plain old suitcase model?  Is there any mention of the Super Satellite silk screened on the control panel on the namerail (around the knobs and jacks)?

Does it say Super Satellite on the serial number decal on the harp?

Or is the harp and guts from 1974 with a preamp added later?

A 1974 preamp should have had the four-pin connector, and concentric knobs (and may not have had the accessory jacks until 1975?).

If the model info is blank on the harp decal, the dead giveaway might be the underside of the piano.  Does it have four leg flanges?  

If you have the later preamp with five-pin connector with sliders and knobs, then the preamp was added later in the piano's career.

   :lol:

Hey All;

I just picked up a *mint* '74 Rhodes 88   It sounds great, and was really taken care of (no rust, wear, etc.).

One question - it's got the Super Sattelite preamp, but I don't have the speakers. I use the 'Accessory 2' (1/4") output to plug into my amp.

If I plug into Access 1 (1/4"), I get no sound.

It's also got a 5-pin DIN connector. In order to get the vibrato sound, do I need a DIN to 1/4" stereo connector?

Thanks!

Hi T;

I have access to a Dremel and was thinking of using it to remove some rust/corrosion on my MKII pickups. Did you just leave the pickups in place? Also which wire brush did you use?


Thanks!

Hi!

I took the entire harp off the piano, removed the tonebar rail from the harp and left the pick-up rail in situ to save all the hassle.

This was the sort of brush I used:

http://www.plumbersurplus.com/Prod/Dremel-532-Stainless-Steel-Brush-End-Shape-%285-Pack%29/95620/Cat/1259?RefID=CJ

I initially tried this brush:

http://www.rainydaymagazine.com/RDM2008/RainyDayGarage/TireTote/WireBrushBig.jpg

But then spent most of the day avoiding the stray wire which would come loose and propel itself into me. So avoid it if you can, but if you can't wear some thick clothing (more than a t-shirt) and some goggles!

Once I finished cleaning the pickups with the top wire brush they looked perfect. Oh and make sure you've removed any filings left over afterwards, the magnet will hold onto it and you increase the chance of them shorting out when you power it up. So either use some compressed air or go over them with a cloth or brush and make sure nothing is left on them.

Hope this helps!

T

Awesome thanks T - I'll look into that Dremel brush for the job  

Hi T;

I have access to a Dremel and was thinking of using it to remove some rust/corrosion on my MKII pickups. Did you just leave the pickups in place? Also which wire brush did you use?


Thanks!




quote="tjh392"]

looks good.
what did you do against the rust ?
kind regards
Mark II

Thanks MK II!

The harp frame I sanded down using a delta sander for a nice even finish which completely removed the rust. I then used a grey primer and added roughly 7 or so coats of gold to give it a good level of protection. In between each layer I lightly sanded it down to smooth out the finish.

The pickups I used an ordinary dremmel, there was so much rust on them by the 73 note there was nothing left of the wire brush!
The tines, I sanded down using fine sandpaper and the tone generators I initially used the wire brush of the dremmel (what was left of it) to remove the white oxidisation but some of the tines required a bit more effort so I used some fine sandpaper on the sander, the end picture is a perfect example.
The tonebars however need a proper acid bath and re-plate so instead I purchased a clean set off eBay off a MK1 88 key for about £40. My plan is to sort out the existing tonebars and probably sell them on.

T[/quote]  

Hey All;

Quick question for you - I've got a MKII with a prod end date of Feb 1982. Does anybody know when they actually *stopped* producing the MKII's? Just curious how close to the end date mine is. It's a bit rusty, but the more work I put into it, the more I love it...

S

Hahaha...is that the one from Paul's Boutique?

This is my Mark V (pd $2300 CAD).  The story goes like this....  Like everyone, I've always dreamed of playing a MKV.  I've had a MKI stage 73 since 1996 and have been in love with the Rhodes sound since. I've been buying Rhodes' here and there, fixing them up and finding them good nurturing homes.  

I have had no history with the MKV.  I have never played one, or even seen one in real life before this one.  I've only seen some blurry pictures on the internet of the MKV running into the woods or heard accounts of people being abducted by a MK V, but until recently was convinced that this keyboard was just a myth.  

I've been checking ebay and kijiji for the last 10 years looking for a MKV and have always been discouraged at the fetching prices of these rare beauties.  I had pretty much given up on trying one, let alone owning one until last week when my boss, Alex phoned me up and told me of a MK V at a music pawn shop in Toronto.  From the picture on the website, it was missing the stand, pedal and pushrod, but the condition of the actual Rhodes was excellent.  The next day, Alex (who has a mint 73 Stage MKII)  had told me to take the afternoon off to get the Rhodes.  So I called the pawn shop and told them I'd be down to try it out and if everything checked out, I would purchase it.  

The drive to Toronto was two hours away, and the pawn shop closed at 7PM. I decided to leave at 3:30 PM which would get me there at 5:30 - plenty of time to give the Rhodes a good test drive and make sure it was what I wanted.  But who was I kidding?  My mind was made up before I even left!  Anyways, as always, I got slammed with a ton of traffic, and I missed a few exits because of construction, and ended up in the 'hood.  I dodged some gunfire, smacked some hoes, and by the time I found my way out, it was 6:50 PM and I was kind of freaking out.  I didn't know if the guy at the store didn't think I was coming and that he would just sell it to the next guy in line.  I couldn't believe that 10 years of searching for bigfoot  would boil down to a traffic jam.

Just when I thought I wouldn't make it, the traffic parted like the Red Sea and I flew into downtown and arrived at the pawn shop at 6:55.  I said hello, and ran to the back of the shop and did a quick chromatic scale up the keyboard.  It sounded amazing. The action was absolutely incredible.

I signed the bill and they packed it up and closed the shop.  I did not get a chance to talk to them and find out where this came from, who owned it, or any history at all.  Thats my story.

http://www.thelotustheory.com/rhodes/IMG_2649.JPG">
http://www.thelotustheory.com/rhodes/IMG_2653.JPG">
http://www.thelotustheory.com/rhodes/IMG_2654.JPG">

I got my Mark II Stage off Craigslist, pretty simple. It was clean on the inside, but has rust and corrosion on the times and pickups...I've got about 1/3 of the way through cleaning the tines. It's in tune though, and I'm getting the Vintage Vibe refurb kit. I just can't see spending $4K CAD on a MK7 Stage...I got a Rhodes, Wurlitzer 200, and Hammond XK3 for that price!

S

http://i840.photobucket.com/albums/zz329/The_Cause2010/IMGP4769.jpg

Hey All;

I'm looking for a Rhodes MK1 with legs/sustain pedal (good condition, no rust, etc.) in the greater Toronto area. I've got ads posted on CL and Kiijii, but I'd thought I'd give the awesome forum a try.

Cheers,

Scott