Messages

1

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: The Rhodes in a Chickering Box/Rhodes Porn

« on: August 21, 2017, 07:07:48 AM »

No, that is a Rhodes on Daniel. Elton only used Wurlitzers in the very beginning, I believe. Lady Samantha, the original demo of Grey Seal, and other songs from the Lady Samantha / Empty Sky era. I can't think of any later songs of his with a Wurlitzer, but there may be some I am just not thinking of.

Another great song with a stereo Rhodes is Elton and John Lennon doing John's "One Day at a Time".

Funny, after listening more carefully to the song it's a Rhodes for certain. It has been years since I heard this song, you're absolutely right
--Roy

2

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: The Rhodes in a Chickering Box/Rhodes Porn

« on: August 19, 2017, 02:43:42 AM »

I seriously doubt that this was built for Elton John. Yes, he used Rhodes on several tracks, but if I remember correctly, they were mainly played by James Newton Howard, (late '70's) or other sidemen.  One exception would be on "Daniel". I believe Elton played the Rhodes on that and a few other tracks. "Honky Cat" may be another since it was the album prior...

I always thought Elton played Wurlitzer on 'Daniel'.

3

Classic & Modern Fender Rhodes Artists / Re: Corey Henry

« on: August 18, 2017, 02:14:43 AM »

I live nearby NSJ but I couldn't get a ticket anymore....
This concert is a very nice combination. In fact a Rhodes can be mixed with almost anything

4

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Plural of Rhodes

« on: July 25, 2017, 10:41:33 AM »

Though english/american is not my language I would rather avoid it

5

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Photobucket "ransom" scandal and impact on forums

« on: July 14, 2017, 08:41:43 AM »

Cormac
Instead of a photo only a no-enter-sign (if that's the right english word) shows up. Maybe it has something to do with legal stuff like usa vs europe ?

6

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Strobe tuners

« on: July 13, 2017, 03:49:51 PM »

I believe stretched tuning doesn't make sense on a Rhodes piano but there are people like Donald Fagen who had his pianos tuned like that (as well as some of his synths back in the day).

When I bought my inexpensive tuning apps there were some recommendations to install them on Apple hardware rather than Samsung for example because of the quality of the microphone. Maybe that is not the case anymore nowadays.

The issue that David described sounds familiar. I use a chromatic tuner for those notes.

7

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Strobe tuners

« on: July 13, 2017, 05:43:20 AM »

I use apps:
Cleartune for the highest and lowest octave
PST precision strobe tuner for the rest of the keys with visibility of overtones.

They aren't expensive and work great

--Roy

8

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Strike Line Question

« on: July 07, 2017, 02:57:43 PM »

Vintage Vibe just happened to upload a vid regarding this matter today
(It is not about escapement only)
https://youtu.be/hSvOh8oMIUw

9

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Tolex colour

« on: June 27, 2017, 03:12:31 PM »

Black for sure.... and if I really had to choose a colour it would be blue

10

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: High notes lacking sustain

« on: June 22, 2017, 07:16:40 AM »

Thanks Oliver,
I tried the tricks that David wrote as well, but nothing helped. It's a really pain.....

The only thing I hadn't tried is the tuning spring. This could well be it because it started since I  last tuned my Rhodes about 10 months ago as far as I can remember

--Roy

11

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: High notes lacking sustain

« on: June 22, 2017, 02:08:17 AM »

That is good news! Do you mean by WORLD that it is now a good or acceptable sustain or just an improvement? Just curious.....

12

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: High notes lacking sustain

« on: June 20, 2017, 03:02:41 PM »

I still have this issue with the highest note (the E #73) on which I have tried several things. Many of these tricks I found here but these are new to me. Thanks I will try these soon

13

The Wurlitzer Electric Piano / Re: Wurly or Wurli? (informal poll)

« on: June 14, 2017, 03:58:06 AM »

All the options mentioned remind me of the preset names of the digital versions 

14

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Which glue for felt hammers?

« on: June 01, 2017, 08:19:05 AM »

Yes, the producer says it it also suitable for wood.

--Roy

15

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Which glue for felt hammers?

« on: June 01, 2017, 03:59:37 AM »

Hello Oliver,

I always use Pattex superglue or gel. This is also recommended by ep-service.

Good luck... Roy

16

Parts, Service, Maintenance & Repairs / Re: Fender Rhodes Mark I tone bar #1-8E

« on: May 27, 2017, 06:59:14 AM »

2 years ago I asked them about some hammer tips (turned out to be VV stuff) through email. They did respond so it's worth a try

17

Parts, Service, Maintenance & Repairs / Re: Few keys sound problem

« on: May 24, 2017, 08:29:25 AM »

I think it might be more than just the damper arms. Sometimes with mixed tines you can have a striking line issue. Try playing around with the harp (start with right side only) and notice what happens with the metal like sound. I had the same issue with different tines and I found a setting that improved the suspected tines without affecting the other tines or at least not too much.

I have found the era right tines that I still need to install....

Hope this helps

--Roy

18

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Sales demo listed on fleabay

« on: May 18, 2017, 02:38:33 PM »

You'll need an extra mortgage to get all 73 of them

19

Parts, Service, Maintenance & Repairs / Re: Suspected problems with suitcase preamp + Hammer tip question...

« on: May 17, 2017, 03:14:30 AM »

You're welcome What tips are installed on the '79? If you go from angled (but equal heights across the hammers) to graduated or vice versa you might end up with a lot of setup to do. You may be lucky with hardly any setup or adjusting striking line, escapement, keybed and damper arms for example.

Maybe you can share some pics of both the pianos, so it's easier to judge....

--Roy

20

Parts, Service, Maintenance & Repairs / Re: Suspected problems with suitcase preamp + Hammer tip question...

« on: May 15, 2017, 09:23:09 AM »

Hello Prismtone Studios,

I know nothing about electronics so cannot help you with that.

about the hammer tips: I strongly recommend not to install felt hammer tips. They won't go with the era piano you have, they tear very quickly and they won't give you the sound you're after (from what I've read in your post).

Both pianos will match with the (VV) graduated (and they are angled too) hammer tips. You can always check first if they really need to be replaced (maybe some pics might help?!).

If you want the '79 to sound more creamy you might wanna change the striking line (position of the harp) and escapement as described in the Rhodes manual. But there many threads to be found on this forum about this matter

Good luck!!

--Roy

http://www.fenderrhodes.com/org/manual/ch4.html
http://www.fenderrhodes.com/org/manual/ch4.html#4-5

21

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Hammers hitting the keys problem

« on: May 12, 2017, 02:30:23 PM »

Super cool that you have a felt cube hammer tip model.  I could tell by your brown preamp board that it was an early model.

The Miracle Mod would work great for this piano, and would definitely recommend installing it while you have the felts off.  The bump looks like it would go right at the front edge of the pedestal

Ben, I guess you're right about the position of the Miracle mod , but would there be enough space for the felt/glue to hold?

22

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: How's the Rhodes market doing?

« on: May 05, 2017, 04:49:03 PM »

David, is your question about the US market only or outside of it as well?  Prices have gone up here (Netherlands) also but not really dramatic. That said, prices here have always been higher over here compared to what I mostly saw on ebay (US). Shipping costs are extremely high so it's cheaper to buy local (or surrounding countries).

I also noticed that more instruments from the Fender era are being offered lately as well as restored Rhodes pianos (none techs I believe).

The market for the latest Rhodes (the one we cannot mention) is also starting to grow....

--Roy

23

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Post your Rhodes pics and its story

« on: May 01, 2017, 01:51:20 PM »

I like the tweed . Good job

24

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Tines...

« on: April 27, 2017, 09:42:01 AM »

Actually this video made me buy the VV grommets and screws. Maybe 1 out of 10 was a bit exaggerated but there were a few screws that had this issue very slightly. So far other VV parts like the graduated hammer tips work great on my Rhodes as well.

The lowest F and A may need the tine stabilizer Ben mentioned. They oscillate quite a lot (from left to right as well) and take about 1 or 2 seconds to get to the right pitch.

25

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: A Rhodes will be on Pawn Stars tonight

« on: April 25, 2017, 11:14:22 AM »

...and?

What'd it go for? I don't get that channel so, spoilers be damned.

Ha ha.... that makes me curious.

The digital Wurly stands for what most people know about electric pianos

26

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: A Rhodes will be on Pawn Stars tonight

« on: April 24, 2017, 03:35:15 PM »

Unfortunately we're years behind with this serie. 

27

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: A Rhodes will be on Pawn Stars tonight

« on: April 24, 2017, 08:07:24 AM »

Thanks Steveo. Which episode is that? We have history channel as well in The Netherlands that starts at 9 pm but the guide only says something about some swords from the Kill Bill movies.

28

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Look what just migrated from the USA to Oz

« on: April 23, 2017, 10:20:57 AM »

That looks really amazing, allthough I'd rather keep them original. Those guys at CEP really know what they're doing

Have fun with it!

29

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Tines...

« on: April 13, 2017, 02:07:18 PM »

That's right. 20 of the 30 screws I tested were slightly bent. To be honoust some of the VV screws had the same issue but only 1 out of 10 and not as obvious as the RL ones

30

The Fender Rhodes Electric Piano / Re: Tines...

« on: April 13, 2017, 10:35:36 AM »

Yes I installed new grommets, washers and screws from RL. I have to admit the installation was a breeze, the quality great and the fit perfect. I also adjusted strike line but that made things worse on most places. VV grommets are a bit softer and their screws a bit thicker. I know Rhodes used several screws (thickness, thread all the way up or not etc.) through the years. Maybe the RL set just don't match with the vintage of my piano, but I am not a Rhodes tech and my knowledge and experience is limited. I am sure you could make that stuff work great on my piano, but your shop is just a little bit too far

VV washers and grommets are not always very consistent but in my case they sound good. And they look better because of the nickel plating