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Something familiar. Maybe it's just the blue..........

On my Mark V, I get static on my signal whenever I press down my sustain pedal. I don't know what could be causing this. I've gone over all my ground connections and replaced all the wiring, rca jack, everything. I'm going crazy here. When I touch my faceplate I get a slight buzz/hum as well. I know this sounds like a ground issue, but I don't know where it could be coming from. Any suggestions?
Thanks!

Anyone know if there's a preamp that fits the Mark V namerail? Or alternatively, a preamp with free-floating Pots? I have looked far and wide for one with no luck!

They have a different hole  layout than Mark 1 and 2's so the Major key/ Vintagebua/ Rhodes man ones don't fit.
I'm also not down with drilling my MK V namerail or modding one of the pre's.
Any suggestions?

Anyone ever used one of these on their Rhodes?
I have the opportunity to buy one cheap, but it's across the country so I can't test it first.

Lately, McMaster and Carr isn't shipping packages outside the US, so I started searching for an alternate source for grommets.
I may have found a supplier. I'm waiting to hear back from them on price for 300 and whether they will ship outside of the US.
Anyways, here's the website with a direct link to the grommets.
If I'm not mistaken, we'd need the very first size. Part number MAR-962
Check it out below and let me know what you think.

http://www.midatlanticrubber.com/prod_7.htm

Is it possible to remove the early model individual dampers that I have on my piano and replace them with the later model grouped dampers?

Hey,
I've read in the sevice manual that you're supposed to use silicon spray to saturate your key felts, thus loosening the adhesive, and then remove them from your hammers.
Do you use the same method to remove the felts if they are on your key pedestal? I've tried this method on a couple keys and it doesn't seem to work very well. I'm left with quite a bit of felt still on the pedestal.  Is there a better way?
I suppose I could just use a dremel and sand the remaining felt off, but I'm not keen on that idea.
Thanks!

Hey guys,
   I just recently got my Mark V in the mail and I'm about to do some major restoration on it. (Cleaning keys + keyfelts, lubing the action, Changing Hammer tips, Changing grommets, voicing + escapement, installing a preamp and  changing 2 pickups)

   I'm also going to be doing the V. Vibe miracle mod to my Mark 1 soon.
I was going to photo/video document all of the progress, and I should have all the videos up in the next few weeks, depending on when parts arrive.

   Is there anything specific anyone wants to see in the videos?

I was logging onto ebay tonight and checking my usual searches, Fender Bandmaster, Rhodes piano... and what do I see?
Fender Rhodes Mark v
Buy it now 700 us dollars.
After a bit of inspection I decided to buy it, after all, they're worth way more than that.
Unfortunately....
No legs, stand or sustain pedal
Good think my mark 1 has all those things!

Pics show great  condition
Check it out!!


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=015&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&viewitem=&item=250046659641&rd=1&rd=1

Would you check this out? I'm very interested who is going to get this.


http://cgi.ebay.com/Harold-Rhodes-Piano-circa-1946-RARE-vintage-keyboard_W0QQitemZ7411979917QQcategoryZ16220QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I have a 1972 mark 1 73 key Stage Rhodes.

Could I buy either of the nameplates below, and put it on my piano? I know I would need a suitcase bottom or power supply already.

Does anyone know the model name of the preamp that Stewart Electronics used to sell for the Rhodes?
I found a place that has the schematic for the Stewart MP2 which was their old mic preamp with EQ and such. So far, it's the closest I can find to what I've heard about the Rhodes one.

Check this out.
Just bought my second Rhodes.
Not in the greatest of condition (obviously).Going to take some work as well, but I'm into that. Going to need to get a cab and/or power supply. Still, 50 bucks is a hell of a deal. Worst case scenario, I have a bunch of tines/keys/hammers for spares and such.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7398699738&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Anyone have a schematic for the Major Key Harmonic Clarifier.
Or maybe even a BBE di1000 or 100x?
Thanks!

I'm thinking about doing a re-tip, but I've noticed a difference between my stock tips, and the speakeasy/majorkey tips.

The tips in the upper register of my piano are wooden, but they have a  hollow space in them. On the slanted edge that is closest to the action rail, there is space between the rubber and wood. The hammertips are more L shaped than triangle shaped.

The Majorkey/speakeasy tips don't have this empty space. Would this affect the tone at all?

Hey.
I'm about to start sanding my tines, but I have one quick question.
What should I sand, part A, part b, or both?
This isn't my tine, just a random picture.
Don't mind the amatuer art. Heh.

http://www.behringer.com/MIC100/index.cfm?lang=ENG

Anyone ever tried this thing on their rhodes? I know someone who swears by it for vocals. I know someone else who will sell me one for cheap in pretty much brand new condition.
Should I just buy it and see? I guess I could always sell it again.

I was inspecting all my tonebars prior to a re-grommet and I noticed what looks and feels like wax underneath all my tonebar springs. It goes all the way from one end to the other.

I'm just curious if that's normal and what I should do about it. I've never seen it on any other Rhodes. When my tonebars are off, should I try to remove? It looks like it will come off easy enough.
I've included a couple pics as well.

http://img189.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rhodeswaxside2fb.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rhodeswaxtop2mk.jpg

On the back of my Damper release bar there's a spring. I assume this is normal. When I press down on the damper pedal, and play a few notes, I can hear a sort of reverb. If I strike notes, then dampen the tines with my fingers it's still there. I've established that it's the spring that's making the reverb and the pickups are picking it up a bit. Is there anything I can do to stop this? I don't really like the sound of it. Do you think I could try putting a peice of felt down the center of the spring to make it stop?
Thanks
TJ

Last night I pulled out all of my keys on my piano. (Mark 1a 1972 73 key stage model) I polished and cleaned all the key caps (oh my god.....yuck) and  brushed all the schtuff out of the pedestal felts. This morning I went out in search of some lube. I ended up getting CRC brand "Heavy Duty" Silicone spray recommended on the supersite. After a couple spot tests, I decided I was good to go.

I lifted all the green felt circles on the key guides. I used a small paintbrush to dust all the debris off the bushings, and the around the guides. After I put all the felts back on, I gave the pins a little lube. Then I lubed up all my pedestal felts and let it all dry for about 2 hours. I vaccumed out all the dust and dirt out from the keybed and then put the keys back on. This thing plays like a dream now! I thought that the action was fine before. Now it's lighter, more responsive, man it's great.
I would highly recommend this if you have the time.

I've pulled my Rhodes apart down to the keys coming off, the harp off, and all of the sustain mechanisms off. I'm curious about how difficult it is to re-attach the bridle straps if I take off the hammers and dampers.
Also, when I take off the action rail, is there going to be anything to adjust? I've never seen the action rail and I'm worried about messing something up.
Give me some heads up! Thanks guys.
TJ

Hey.
I recently purchased a 1972 stage 73 key Rhodes. I'm having a serious buzzing issue. When I turn my volume up past 2, I get a VERY loud buzzing noise. If the tone is all the way down, the buzz is quieter but still quite loud. I'm not sure if it's a grounding issue because when I touch various parts of the frame, the buzzing generally just gets worse. I've resoldered most of my ground connections (other than the pickup chain) with no luck. The foil on either side of the pickup chain is in good shape. The thick black cord (Looks like RCA)  that connects the volume and tone pots to the piano sometimes cuts out if I play with it as well.  Is it possible that my piano is picking up weird frequencies from my apartment building? The dimmer switch in my room makes a hell of a lot of noise through the piano. If anyone knows what my buzz problem could be, let me know.
Thanks!
TJ
Oh yeah, I did a search for problems like this and none of the suggestions help.

Has anyone every used one of these?

http://cgi.ebay.com/FENDER-RHODES-STAGE-PIANO-PRE-AMP-KILLER_W0QQitemZ7376477775QQcategoryZ29552QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Thanks.
TJ