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It's not a Retrolinear issue. They did a great job.  It's a a "Thelonius" issue.

My ears have always been partial to warm, soft tones. I just want to tame the clank or at least balance it out a little.

Greetings,

I just bought a refurbished Rhodes from Retrolinear. It's a 1978 73 suitcase. The one thing that is bothering me with it is the graduated hammer tips.

Initially, I thought the problem was worn out tips. The notes start to clank abruptly at the B above middle C. I removed the lid and noticed that none of the tips had grooves in them until that B. Then I learned that the B (note 44 of 73) was a point where the tip hardness changed from 70 shore to 90 shore. I'm guessing that replacing the hammer tips (which Retrolinear strongly advised against) is futile. I thought the grooves were causing the clank but I'm now guessing the harder tips develop grooves more quickly.

The sound goes from nice, warm and round to percussive and clanky. I don't like it. It's abrasive to my ears. The lower and middle registers have great bark when pushed a little and sound perfect.

Anybody else run into this problem?

Any good solutions for this?

Thanks so much for your guidance and expertise.

-Greg