Topics

Folks,
   something is wrong on the server with the sending of email notifications.

This will affect many functions on the forum including password resets, PM notifications and anything that involves the forum sending you an email.

If you are having any issues with things like this, email me at admin@ep-forum.com and I will assist ASAP.

In the meantime, I'm working on this email issue to get it sorted as soon as possible.

UPDATE: All sorted now

Nothing more than a teaser for now at https://wurlitzerpianos.com but it looks like this iconic EP is going to be reproduced.

You cannot view this attachment.

An entertaining video from Dr. Mix from a visit to Ben Bove's living room

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttGPyYRWAN8

Just came across this video about the Dyno story and appears to be part 1 of a series..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VozbhqIjr8

Hi,
    this is an example of a message that uses image attachments. When creating your topic or reply, click the "Attachments and other options" section below this text box to expand it to show the attachments section.

You can drag and drop images you wish to attach onto the area marked "Drag and drop your files here", or click the "Add Files" button to use a file selection dialog and select the desired images. You can attach gif, jpg and png images, PDF, text and MP3 files. Once the given file is selected, you then must click the upload button to complete the upload.

Attachments are individually limited to 1Mb each with a total attachment limit of 2Mb per post.

See an example here of the attachments section after uploading an image of a sunflower and having selected another image of a cat to upload....
You cannot view this attachment.
Note that the sunflower image is uploaded but the image of the cat is not yet uploaded. So you would need to click on the "Upload" button alongside the cat image to complete the upload.
 
One an image is uploaded, it will appear as an attachment with the message you create (see the bottom of this message). There is also an optional "Insert" button shown that will allow you insert a link to your attachment into the text. This will allow you position your image for inline display in any desired place.

Once clicked, text like this will appear in the compose area of your post..

Code Select Expand

[attach id=6411]Screenshot 2022-12-18 at 11.24.16.png[/attach].. that is BBC (Bulletin Board Code) that references the unique attachment and you can cut and paste this as required to reposition the display elsewhere in your message text.



Just PM myself if you are having any difficulty with this.

[Register an account]

So you want to join this forum and contribute to the discussion. Here's what you need to do:

Register an account
First you'll need to create an account on the forum. You do that by clicking the link below to register a new account. When you click that link, there is a terms & conditions page shown to you. Do not skip over it. It lists steps you need to follow to get a security code to use in creating your account. When you click past that page you are then asked to select your username and enter your email address and provide the security code you received. These steps are used to fight off spam bots that try to auto-register accounts on web forums.

Once all that is complete, your account will be created and put into a pending state. We'll approve the account ASAP and you're all set.

If any of this is confusing you, just email admin@ep-forum.com and we'll help get you going

Register: https://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?action=signup

Rules
Also as a new member of the forum, make sure you read the rules:
Rules: https://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?topic=6149.0

Vendor
And finally, if you're a vendor in this space, selling instruments, parts or repair services, then please read this additional rule set for vendors:
Vendors Rules: https://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?topic=7294.0

Folks,
  a belated happy holiday and new year

I've put up a new logo. Many thanks to new forum member Damian (d-rock) for volunteering his graphics design expertise and giving us a new logo for the forum banner.

And now for something different.. an interesting clip I saw today from Japan where a piano tech used springs to improve the repeat action on upright pianos.

I don't think the idea of springs is totally new. Some comments on the Youtube clip mention that several makes through the years had utilised something similar. There's also one part of the video where they used a Hitachi jig-saw to drive the repeat test on the keys .

enjoy..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivuczNJPubo

Folks,
  just testing an issue we're having with another user. Just ignore

This lady must have tines in her larynx..

Polyphonic overtone singing -
Anna-Maria Hefele:
http://youtu.be/vC9Qh709gas

Folks,
   I got a Mk1 88 stage a couple of years back and have tweaked it here to get it into playable state. I'm very happy with the results at this stage and would think I've got it as far as I probably can. The next project might be a re-tolex.

One thing I discovered along the way was that the right-hand wooden harp support block was not side-bolted into the hammer rail. So it was only secured from the frame below. It was in fact leaning about 2mm away from the hammer rail. The screw hole was there both in the block and rail. I had assumed that it may have been removed at some point and just never put back. Ironically when I removed the block from the frame, I uncovered the only date stamp on the entire piano.. "Jun 9 1975".

I replaced it with a similar thread to the screw used on the left block.

I thought little of it after that. However I recently noticed that the drill holes for the two blocks no longer align with the harp. So when I do go to refix the harp, I'll have to drill new holes. I even loosened the screw again to verify this observation.

So it's suggesting to me that it probably left the factory this way. Has anyone ever seen this before. I'm curious to know it this was just a build error or if it was deliberate. It probably ties into some of the recent threads on escapement.

You can get a glimpse of this gap here during an earlier stage of the restoration...


Here's that right side of the hammer rail showing the pre-drilled hole for the side screw...

Hi folks,
    just wanted to let you know about some new rules we have added in relation to vendors using this forum.

We value the contributions of all our members, and want to work with our members that have commercial interests in order to allow them to promote their businesses while continuing to contribute to our community in a meaningful way.

We recently decided it would be best to label the accounts of all our members who are in the business of furnishing, servicing, or otherwise selling electric pianos and keyboards.

By doing this, we hope to maintain an atmosphere of respectful mutual assistance for all our members. By making it clear when a poster has a commercial interest, we aren't aiming to discount that member's opinion; rather it's a way for all our members to readily identify community contributions of our valuable members who do have commercial interests.

Most of the vendors contributing to this forum have gone far above and beyond in helping our members, and we want to honor and respect that in the way we treat vendors that serve our community.

The specific changes we made are listed here..

• Vendors (those selling pianos, parts or services etc.) are required to contact the admin via PM (dresdner353) or email admin@ep-forum.com so we can change their forum member group to "Vendor". This helps clarify their position to other members. We also recommend that vendors use their real name in their account settings. It is also requested that they state their company name and contact details including website address in their signature. We will gladly assist any vendor in getting these settings sorted out.
  
• Vendors are welcome to advertise their new products, parts and services in this forum. We will assist as best we can here with making relevant topics into stickies to help promote the vendor. For example, some vendors have requested sticky topics to allow them post about new parts and services they are launching. This is quite acceptable and vendors are encouraged to contact us in this regard if they wish to pursue such topics.
  
• Be courteous to vendors that contribute to this forum. They work very hard at their job and their contributions to this forum are invaluable.
  
• Vendors with pianos and equipment to sell should post these in the For Sale board
  

You can see the full set of rules here..
http://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?topic=6149.0

Regards,
    Cormac Long, Forum Admin (dresdner353)
    Rob Arnold, Moderator (Rob A)

As a part of a dispute, paypal orders a buyer to destroy a violin.

I'd hate this to happen with a piano!

http://www.regretsy.com/2012/01/03/from-the-mailbag-27/

Just saw this new video, showing the new work shop for Vintage Vibe...
Its a true Santa Cave of all kinds of classic and new pianos, parts etc. Also some nice footage of the new VV piano harps.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqTqhJYjxJs

Saw this on Google+ yesterday.. just had to share here as I know a lot of you have a running interest in vintage synth equipment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeujZtBvMFY

Details from the Youtube description..

Filmed and Directed by Amy Hobby.
Edited by Tony Zajkowski.

Over 20 different NYC female keyboardists playing vintage keyboards at Joe McGinty's Carousel Studio in Brooklyn, NY.

Featuring:
Kaia Wong (Mixel Pixel)
Kelly Rae Kerwin (Private Income)
Natasha Bartolf
Joanna Choy (Spray Paint Star)
Amy Merril (Mia Riddle)
Greta Gertler (The Universal Thump)
Supercute!
Anna Copa Cabanna
Rolyn Hu (True Primes)
Sondra Sun-Odeon (Silver Summit)
Michi Turner (Crash Diet Crew)
Katia Floreska (The Tall Pines)
Natalie Weiss (Unicornicopia, Camp Wanatachi)
Wendy Ip
Alice Cohen
Yvette Perez
Kelly Vaughn-Kauffman (Winstron Troy)
Yvette Perez (H*E*R)
Hula Hoop Harlot Melissa-Anne
Alix Brown (Golden Triangle)
Leah Cary (Girl Crisis)
Caitlin Jemison (Queen Of Sibyls)

Instruments featured:
Hammond M3 Organ
Fender Rhodes
Oberheim Xpander
Dave Smith Instruments Poly Evolver Keyboard
Steinway Upright Grand Piano
RMI Keyboard Computer
Jenco Celeste
Baldwin Electric Harpsichord
Bebot
Magical Musical Thing
Thingamagoop
Hohner Clavinet D6
Casio CZ-101
Wurlitzer Electric Piano
Conn Electric Band
ARP 2600
ARP Omni
Suzuki Omnichord
Yamaha CS-01
Yamaha TX802
Vox Continental
Fender Starmaster
Farfisa Combo Compact
Buzzing Bee
Optigan
Stylophone
Toy Piano
360 Systems Digital Keyboard
Hammond Synthesizer
Gibson Clavioline
Moog Little Phatty
MiniMoog
Mellotron
Mass-Rowe Vibrachime

An interesting video I found on vimeo.. some guys that have been doing research into using aftertouch to artificially sustain a vibrating tine. It works by means of an actuator positioned under the tine and fed with a sine wave current set at the same frequency of the given tine. The result is a prolonged sustain after striking the note and controlled by an after touch mechanism under the key.

Title: The electromagnetically sustained rhodes piano.
Authors: Greg Shear and Matthew Wright.

Abstract: The Electromagnetically Sustained Rhodes Piano is an augmentation of the original instrument with additional control over the amplitude envelope of individual notes. This includes slow attacks and infinite sustain while preserving the familiar spectral qualities of this classic electromechanical piano. These additional parameters are controlled with aftertouch on the existing keyboard, extending standard piano technique. Two sustain methods were investigated, driving the actuator first with a pure sine wave, and second with the output signal of the sensor. A special isolation method effectively decouples the sensors from the actuators and tames unruly feedback in the high-gain signal path.

Recorded at: 11th International Conference on New Interfaces for Musical Expression. 30 May - 1 June 2011, Oslo, Norway. nime2011.org

http://vimeo.com/26802504

I was messing around a couple of nights ago to create ringtones for my phone. I've attached some examples. They need to be short and sweet really to be effective. With modern smart phones doing more and more, it can sometimes be handy to have separate alert tones for email, IM, SMS etc.

I recorded direct from the harp through an MXR M80 Bass DI (for preamp and EQ) and then through my mixer to Reaper on OSX via a cheap behringer UCA202.

Added tremolo and reverb via reaper. The Phaser one was done via my Lexlcon MX-200 using a phaser/chorus combination I concocted to get a decent sounding phase effect.

Just an idea in case anyone else wants to share their creations!

Good news for those on this side of the pond.

I saw this video today...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3p4IINbLp8Q

..and wondered.. right lads... either you got one for yourselves.. got one to service/replair or maybe you're going to be a reseller.. and then I saw this on their website..

http://ep-service.nl ...
We import the new VVP rhodes based piano.
Available in several colors and in 64 or 73 key version
The weigth of a Wurly and the sound of a Rhodes

Interesting.

Anybody know the pricing?... hopefully they won't use Steve Jobs currency conversion where $1 becomes €1.

I've emalled them for details and will update this thread if they reply

Could be a custom job, but they just uploaded a video showing a piano bass fitted with a valve preamp. Sweet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQmYUL2w10U

Jan Delay performing on stage before voting begins. A wah pedal in use also.

Just lovely... style is returning to this competition!

Quite an entertaining set of videos. Is this a case of vintagevibe meets the "dude you're getting a Dell" Guy?

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xk59Vo5V0gI

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcwCbXzmans

Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2AhIksvgwM

Part 4:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w3ZvXzHBM0

Part 5:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6wa8STc_b4

Part 6:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6wa8STc_b4

Part 7:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQdC0kB3ANQ

[Registration]

Registration
To register on this forum, click the register link at the top and follow the instructions to create your account.

We will then email you further instructions regarding validating and activating your account. Please bear in mind that we are plagued with automated spam bots that can register several bogus accounts every day. So our registration policy requires that you email us with answers to several questions. This helps weed out the spam registrations. The full details are available in the registration agreement shown when registering a new account.

If you do not follow these instructions, we will not activate your account.

CSI NY Season 7, Episode 2 "Unfriendly Chat". Just aired tonight on Five UK. We get that on satellite in Ireland.

The crew were investigating the scene of a murdered musician.. clearly one with taste, as she owned a Rhodes but I digress... yet again the prop people put the cover over the front rail! Forgive them Harold, they know not what they do!

I'm beginning to think that the prop people are referring to footage from other TV programs/movies and just replicating the same mistake over and over!

Just saw this now when trying to snoop around for NAMM 2011 clips.. has some nice demos of Piano, Rhodes and Wurly sounds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHV3rnkGt3E

..looks interesting. Will be cool to hear how it stands up against the Nord in terms of sample quality etc. Apparently they are using an internal SSD to provide of GB's of sample space.

Herbie Hancock is performing at the Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin this coming Sunday 24th. Tickets still available AFAIK. I'll be there.. although I'm not betting on a Rhodes showing up, but I am ticking off one on my list to see before I die.

He's in the Everyman Palace in Cork on Saturday night as part of the Guinness Jazz Festival. That will almost definitely be sold out at this stage.

Other dates of note in the UK..

Nov 12th, Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Nov 13th & 14th, Royal Festival Hall, London

[Rules]

Rules
These should be obvious to most.. but here we go..

• This is a discussion forum for help on vintage electric pianos & synths (Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Clavinet, etc.) and their modern reproductions.
• The forum is not a place to talk about modern digital pianos/synths and related repairs.
  
• If you have something to sell, list it in the Buying and Selling section. Do not go around posting your advert onto existing threads.
• If you do see threads that may suggest people are looking for something you have to sell, then send them a personal message.
• Keep discussion clean, on topic and avoid religion, politics and stuff of that nature that may cause offence to others.
• Do not cross-post the same topic in several boards.. this is not helpful and it only causes problems with fragmented discussions. We will delete duplicate topics.
• On occasion, a member may post a topic in the wrong location. The admin may relocate this topic and will PM the user to inform them of this move
• Be nice to people.. many of those starting out on restoring/repairing old instruments will need help and not smart put downs.
• Ensure that copyrighted content is not posted on these forums neither in the form of text material or as attachments
• We allow the attachment of small mp3 files to posts (max 1Mb per file). Do not post commercial material that may violate music distribution laws. Use this feature only to post demo clips of your keyboard etc.
• Vendors (those selling pianos, parts or services etc.) are required to contact the admin via PM (dresdner353) or email admin@ep-forum.com so we can change their forum member group to "Vendor". This helps clarify their position to other members. We also recommend that vendors use their real name in their account settings. It is also requested that they state their company name and contact details including website address in their signature. We will gladly assist any vendor in getting these settings sorted out.
• Vendors are welcome to advertise their new products, parts and services in this forum. We will assist as best we can here with making relevant topics into stickies to help promote the vendor. For example, some vendors have requested sticky topics to allow them post about new parts and services they are launching. This is totally acceptable and vendors are encouraged to contact us in this regard if they wish to pursue such topics.
• Be courteous to vendors that contribute to this forum. They work very hard at their job and their contributions to this forum are invaluable.
• Vendors with pianos and equipment to sell should post these in the For Sale board

We will remove posts and if necessary accounts of anyone who abuses this forum or its users. If you are offended by a given post or PM and want to escalate an issue, contact myself either by PM or email: admin@ep-forum.com. There is also a "Report to moderator" link on each and every post which you can use to alert to us to posts or topics which you feel are inappropriate.

All trademarks referenced in posts on this forum are the property of their respective owners.
"Rhodes" and the Rhodes logo are registered trademarks of Joseph A. Brandstetter.

Just some links that may prove useful for users that like to track activity on this forum etc.

List of recent posts
The following will list recent posts on the forum, most recent on top:
http://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?action=recent

Posting images or links to images
A common problem for some users.. see here for details on what to do..
https://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?topic=10896.0

Hi folks,
   my name is Cormac Long and I'm the new host for this forum on the Fender Rhodes. I'm Irish, based in Ireland and own and play a Rhodes piano. I'm not a tech and have absolutely no commercial interests with regards to this forum.

I bought a 1974 Mark 1 SP 88 in August 2010 and have been restoring it bit by bit since then. Its a slow and painful process. I'm learning lots as I go. I'm sure it will take forever, will never play as well as the works of art that several of the pros have produced. But this is what you do on a budget!. As it turns out, it will only ever be used at home. I'm not a professional musician. Just someone that lacks a lot of practice and plays a bit at home.

I found the Rhodes Super Site forum to be pure gold in terms of a reference on all things Rhodes, especially the tips on restoration. When I found out that James Garfield was looking for a new forum host , I thought I could help. I have previous experience hosting forums. I already have the hosting space for other projects I run. So honestly, its no big deal to do this. I'm getting as much if not more back as I'm putting in.

So with the permission of James, I migrated the phpBB forum archives into this forum. This forum is based on Simple Machines Forum, otherwise known as SMF. Its software I've used before in other jobs, so its what I know. It very conveniently provided an import utility to convert the phpBB database contents into its own format. It transferred all posts, user accounts etc. So the wealth of information is preserved.

We did do some cleanup.. all accounts that never posted were deleted (over 2000 of them). Lots of spam posts were deleted. There are probably more still lurking there in the archives.

The registration process is still moderator approved. I've also modified the registration agreement, asking that new members email myself with some answers to fairly simple questions as a means of rooting out the bots! without that email, all registrations are deleted within 24 hours.

I also agreed with James and assure you now that I will not abuse this privilege. Your email addresses are sacred to me and will NEVER be shared with 3rd parties. I will also NEVER send you adverts or any sponsored rubbish etc.

Also onboard as a moderator is musician extraordinaire, "Rob A", aka volvoxburger. Rob has been an immense help to me behind the scenes over initial weeks as I was preparing this forum. He has also been assisting in cleaning up remaining spam in the archives and moving valid threads back into the main boards.

So thats it for now.. sit back and enjoy this forum!

Oh yes the rules.. do read this when you get a chance.. (only accessible to registered members)
http://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?topic=6149.0

[2]

Folks,
  first post here.. hello from Ireland!

I recently acquired a Mark 1 88 branded as a Fender-Rhodes. It lacks the serial sticker/stamp and digits on the top & bottom right of the harp.

The "Fender-Rhodes", Mark1 and curve-top format suggests a '69-'75 timeline based on my understanding of info I've read here etc.

The sustain/damper rail pivot pins are held in place on either side with a square bracket that is screwed onto the plate, with 2 screws. Also the centre of the rail has a bar and long screw securing it to the body below. I mention this as these designs seemed to vary over time and be of importance.

While the top of the harp has no markings at all, on the underside of the harp are 3 digits "242".

Going on the variable harp dating mechanisms, this as a short-form, might be week 2 or 74, day 2 of the week. But the question really.. has anyone else ever encountered one like this with no markings whatsoever and if the under-side numbering is of any use?

You can see this 3-digit numbering here..
http://picasaweb.google.com/dresdner353/2010RhodesMk188August#5503135106374937218

That link can let you see other images etc. I have a lot of work ahead to restore this baby but I'm looking forward to it TBH.

Regards,
  Cormac