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My 75 has wood hammers. The 77 has plastic hammers. The 75 is spongey, which is why I installed the bump mod. It's still a little spongy but Im okay with it, I play sloppy.

The 77 has more clean high end bell tone. I think I prefer the 75 - and likely plan to keep it. Quick ChatGPT chat says the 77 would sell faster and for more since it's in near-mint condition - so that's a factor to keep in mind along with the sentimental value of the 75.

Also just discovered the newly acquired is a 1977 model, not '80

FWIW ChatGPT says 1975 is more sought after

Hey all,
Ive found myself with two Rhodes Seventy Three Mark I Stage Pianos. Trying to decide which one to sell.

I've had my 1975 since the mid 90s. I did the Vintage Vibe bump mod to it. Sounds a bit gritty, probably needs a good tuning. But its got sentimental value having owned it an written many songs with it for almost 30 years.

I recently acquired a 1977 in very clean, like new shape, good tuning, not much grit at all.

Which year is preferred in general? How are they different? I can see the hammers are plastic on the 1977, can't remember what's inside of my 1975.

Any advice/opinions appreciated

Seems the whole thing is flat.. I bought a tuning wrench on amazon and l got it plugged into Pro Tools with a chromatic tuner plugin. Gonna try and get it in line this week. Still looking for advice on the F damper that's clicking, I'll address it later. Looking forward to getting in tune and writing/recording on this baby

Here's the F key with broken hammer. Any ideas on what I need to repair/replace? Everything else is pretty clean, got some legs under it today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdZwYRUvaz4&feature=youtu.be

Looks like I found some legs and pedal. Could use some advice on fixing a couple of dampers that fall and mute the string immediately. Anyone have any insight how to repair/replace?

Hey all,

I recently acquired a CP70 in pretty good shape. I just got a power supply today, plugged it in, sounds great! Its relatively in tune, not too bad at all. But it has 2 keys where the damper falls down immediately, so they wont sustain with key held (just a quick muted tone). (I can upload a video if it helps)

How involved is it to repair this? Seems like there are only a few parts involved. I'd appreciate any advice on how to do it or where to buy parts (or both).

p.s. Im also ISO legs and pedal for decent price

thx,
Steve

I acquired a CP70 this week But no legs or pedal  . I cant wait to put it together and see how it sounds. I see people selling leg sets for around $350-400, a little rich for my blood. Any other ideas out there?

Sure enough, that did it!  Thanks so much for your help. As for age, its got a red ink stamp of 12 75 on the tines board, so I suppose 1975. I loosened the screw a couple of turns and voila. thanks again, cheers!! Steve

Hey guys, need a little help. My Rhodes Seventy Three Mark I is having eternal sustain. I can take the lid off and lift up and set it back down, then its ok for a while. But eventually the sustain remains on for a bunch of notes. Is there a quick adjustment I need to make?
thanks,
Steve

Can anyone show me a photo of what the ground wire looks like?  I dont think I have one.  I thought I had this solved, but the output is full of hum and low level. The only way I can hear the piano is to crank up the mixer and that makes the hum really loud.

Its got the 4 chrome legs and damper pedal with the steel rod same as my 73 mark I.  I did not check the keys to see if they are plastic.    Thanks all. 

How much should I pay for it in mint condition?

by clean, I mean it looks like it never left the old lady's house

I found one in the local music store, looks really clean, comes with pedal, cover,and some kind of external preamp.  I cant find any for sale on eBay, so I have no idea if this is a good deal or not.  Any advice?  I can upload a pic if it helps.

So its generally understood that it is a much lower output?

Stevo & co,  I have my Rhodes 73 mkI and my Wurlitzer 200A set up in my studio. I noticed that the output of the Rhodes is waaaay lower than the output of the Wurli. 

Is it is supposed to be that way?  I'm guessing that maybe because the Rhodes has no power, it gives a smaller output? 

Thanks

p.s. Why do they call the output jack an input?

This thing is looking sweet with a new coat of ArmorAll!    Just found the damper parts at vintage vibe.  Gonna get a new faceplate and knobs too, along with a new damper for key1.  Output sounds good, no noise, but the headphone output is loud and distorted.  I had to solder the wire to the jack where it broke in two.  Wonder if that is causing the harsh headphone output?

[Q:]

Looks like I need  the little springy-thing that goes under key1 (A) damper.  It is broken. 

Q:  Where can I find one?  Or do have to find a replacement damper? 

BTW:  I glued the sticker back together with wood glue, looks good.  I also took all the keys off and cleaned everything.  Found an old 5 cent stamp, an oxidized penny and hair pin.

Turns out this is the only broken key!  the others were just stuck on pennies and hair pins 

My next move is to try and remove some of the rust, and look into the amp section. 

Thanks fellas.  Yea, I think the damper arm (sticker) is broken off.  It is not attached at the bottom.  I tried to take it out to look at it closer, but you're right, it wouldn't come out very easily, I gave up before I made it worse. 

I'd be interested in that replacement and any advice on how to install it. 

Gonna take another look at it tonight and check the other keys that aren't working. 

Ok, Im starting to tear it apart one key at a time.  Starting from the low end...

item #1:  Key 1 (A) on the low end doesn't work.  The damper doesn't spring back down.  Also, this piece in the back is loose.  Is it supposed to be glued or attached somehow?  I assume that it is, because the A key is just sorta hangin around loose.

I found some pieces of white and pink paper wedged underneath the keys as shims.  Are these factory? 

Thanks,
Steve

Getting ready to restore the 200a I bought for $50 15 years ago.  Im guessing this was mfg in '71?  Anyone help me with dating it? 

Serial: 122594L, no logo on the back
volume pot marked: 203643 (could be 203693)
vibrato pot marked: 208697
transformer marked: 203715
middle f stamped: 71011008
f# key looks like its stamped 81011... hard to see

Its got a lot of rust on the metal chassis inside, probably lotsa beach gigs, or just left out in the rain.  Plays ok, all tines intact, a few keys that dont work. I think they are broken.  and there is some distortion on the output.  I cant wait to get it cleaned up and running.

I think I got it fixed now!  Put the pitman back in place.  Only has felt on one side.  I don't have a ground wire connection there.  There is a spring that hooks on the sustain bar and to a rod beneath.  It was hard to tell but I think I got it, the hum has disappeared.  Thanks to all of you! 

BTW:  Does anyone wanna sell me that metal rod that connects the pedal to the sustain bar?  Mine broke right at the threads.  Ive been trying to find a way to fix it.  Looks like I'll had to take it to a machine shop/welder.  Prob cheaper to buy another.

Thanks!  So, it looks like I need to take the whole thing apart to see whats going on with the aluminum damper bar, find out if the ground wire is attached.  Ive never taken it apart.  Is it a straightforward process?  Anything to be cautious of?

Hi all,

I need a little assistance getting rid of some annoying ground hum that all of a sudden appeared on my Rhodes 73 Stage mkI. 

I had my friend replace a couple of tines, and since then Ive had some issues, including a buzzing noise that I can't get rid of. When I touch any parts inside the piano the hum gets louder. 

I am assuming this is a ground issue.  I have checked/cleaned the little grey RCA connector from the output jack to the board using Tronic Clean.  No difference.  Looking for some other suggestions ideas for troubleshooting.

...Also what the heck is thing I found rolling around the bottom of the piano?