Messages

Hi,
I purchased a Retroflyer Preamp from Avion Studios a week ago and installed it a few days ago on a Mk1 Stage 73.
In a word it sounds "amazing"- makes a major difference and improvement in output, EQ, tonal capability and the tremolo effect is great.I have a Mk1 suitcase Rhodes also with a Janus preamp ( as well as an original "Dyno My Piano" module on another Mk 1 Stage piano) and the Retroflyer is far superior in what it does and shapes the Rhodes sound to the Janus Preamp or the Dyno Module plus it has 2019 technology and components in the PCB board and not 1970s electronics.Also I can highly recommend Avion Studios products and Morgen as a Rhodes tech and general all-round helpful person when it comes to supplying and advice on Rhodes parts and Service.
Further more the Retroflyer is easy to add to the piano and the face plate looks great, fits well and does not detract from the original Rhodes namerail of the piano.
Get one ! a great product and asset to the Rhodes sound!

Hi,
My name is Mark and I am a keyboard player from Sydney Australia who loves vintage keyboards,in particular Rhodes and Wurlitzer electric pianos.I own a Rhodes Mk1 Stage and Suitcase 73 from the 1970s and a Wurlitzer 200A. I love your site and its members contributions as a support,help and reference base of vintage keys and wonder if you can help.I had my original Rhodes Mk1 Stage 73 modified with a Dyno Piano mod in the late 70s and it is in need of repair.This was the original mod as done by the inventor Chuck Monte from the USA.
If anyone out there has a copy of the original  schematic diagrams for these mods? Would you be able to provide a schematic diagram for the Dyno Mod and the Tri-Stereo tremolo that CHUCK INVENTED?
I would really appreciate your help if at all possible.

• PS I have every issue of Keyboard Magazine from issue 1 in the 1970s to now with it's sad demise as a print issue magazine and it's incorporation into Electronic Musician and would be only too ready to help and reciprocate embers for their help for any past articles and stories over the the last 40+ years.

[/b]

Regards from "downunder"
regards
Marc

Hi tjh32.
The one I am working on is a 1973 Stage Fender Rhodes with the usual "extra angle bend" but it would be great to have a plan for a later 1970s one as well if you have one.
I noticed you have had one previously on the forum but it's been removed.
Thanks for your help!
You are a great asset to the forum.
Regards

Hi tjh392
Thanks so much for your help.
Regards

Hi Dave.
Thanks so much!
You are a great help to members and a real asset to the forum.
Regards

hi all Rhodes fan. I have a Stage 73 that alas I have no lid case for. Why previous owners lose or discard these is beyond me?!
Does anyone out there have a plan with the exact dimensions and plan for a Stage 73 lid as I am going to try and make one myself?
Many thanks and much appreciation if you can help.
Regards
musomarc

Hi.
I recently purchased a stage 73 Rhodes that has a few issues e.g It has an original Chuck Monte 1970s Dyno-my piano and Tri-Tremelo mod kit installed in the preamp rail which is not working and has been disconnected. I had my original Rhodes stage 73 converted in 1976 with the dyno mod, yet got rid of stupidly in the mid 1980s for $200 when Yamaha DX7s were all the rage and Rhodes were often given away!
Trying to re-live my 1970s music career and experiences here.
I'd really like to restore it and get a tech to check/rebuild this preamp and effect mod and get it working properly.
Does anyone out there have a circuit diagram and component listing for this great mod? (i.e composite mod rail with both Dyno eq and tri-tremolo kit installed.)
I would really appreciate any help as so far with my research I had turned up zilch!!??
Many thanks if you can help.
Regards
Musomarc

 
hi all Rhodes fan. I have a Stage 73 that alas I have no lid case for. Why previous owners lose or discard these is beyond me?!
Does anyone out there have a plan with the exact dimensions and plan for a Stage 73 lid as I am going to try and make one myself?
Many thanks and much appreciation if you can help.
Regards
musomarc

Hi Cormac and Dave,
Thanks so much for your speedy response and great help with the wiring details, diagrams etc!
Dave, when you used your 54 without the VV tone bomb preamp did you also only get a very low level of output from the piano?
Regards

Hi all Rhodes lovers,
Working on restoring a Rhodes 54 stage and have just about finished BUT am getting a very low signal from the jack out on the preamp rail compared to from the harp ( via RCA).
It's probably X3 the level from the harp compared to from the jack out on the piano preamp rail. I've looked everywhere but can't seem to find a schematic circuit diagram for a Rhodes 54 preamp amp ( the one with 2 slider pots one is volume the other is tone).
Does anyone have a schematic for this preamp?  Possibly there may be a problem from the preamp wiring or components!
Or any suggestions to boost the output level from the jack out rather than use the rca Harp output. I know some people use external preamps e.g VV Tone bomb, but am wondering if there is a simple alternative to check my preamp and level or to boost it.
Great forum and always helpful advice Thanks!!!!

Hi Dave.
Thanks for the quick response, details and pic .I have now sorted it out.
The Rhodes I got from you are going strong!
All the best
Regards

[Can anyone with a 54 Rhodes send me a pic of the far end (RHS treble end) to show the wiring of the pickups?]

Hi All,
I just recently picked up a Rhodes Stage 54 and am in the process of restoring it. It had the red coil pickups BUT 19 were out!
I know the pickup configuration in a Rhodes 54 were wired in series and different to the 73 and 88 stage models but as the last 10 pickups ( treble end were removed) I need to check the wiring to the harp and earth at the RHS end of the pickup rail.

Can anyone with a 54 Rhodes send me a pic of the far end (RHS treble end) to show the wiring of the pickups?
Or a diagram to show the pickup wiring configuration?
Also what kind of wire is recommended for connecting each pickup?
Thanks
Regards
musomarc

Hi Mike,
Does the Retrolinear Warneck amp include the preamp board as an all in one board?
OR Is it normal to replace the preamp board as well when adding the Warneck board for amp/his/buzz problems?
Hope you can clarify.Thanks for your help.
Regards

Hi Paul,
From what I know,you just need a 5 pin cable to go from the preamp ( available on Ebay US, but there is a 5 pin and 4 pin cable) on the piano to the janus box.The janus box will supply power to the piano's preamp and the 5 pin cable will carry the audio signal as well to the powered Rhodes Janus speaker box.
I'm in Australia as well.
:)Regards

Hi,
Great work on the Suitcase rhodes.
Can you show me a pic of the bottom keyboard part and how it fits/sits onto the base amp/speaker?
I've always wondered how they fit or lock in place.A friend has one and the sustain pedal dosen't seem to lock into the top and I've suggested to him it needs realigning with the two sections.
Keep on Rhodes

 
Hi,
Great work and video.What an improvement in sound!
Keep up the great work and postings.
Regards
Musomarc

Hi Dave,
Thanks for the blog and detailed comments and sound demos.
It sounds great!
Keep up the great Rhodes work and comments, they are most helpful.
Regards
Mark

Hi,
A Rhodes Mk 1 1970's had these knobs as per pic.
Hope this helps.Regards
Musomarc

 
Hi Sean,
Thanks so much for the reply.Very helpful.
This is truly a great forum
Regards
Musomarc

Hi,
I've looked everywhere that is obvious but no luck so far!!!
I'm trying to salvage and repair the thread on a Rhodes Stage,screw in leg and the leg flange that attaches to the bottom of the piano case.
Does anyone know the size and type of thread that is on the end of the legs and inside the leg flange?
e.g is it 3/4" or 5/8 and type of thread like AF,Whitworth etc
All help greatly appreciated.
Regards
Musomarc

 
Hi,
I live in southern suburbs Sydney,Australia.I am looking to buy a Rhodes piano preferably a Stage 73, but will consider a Suitcase model also in either 73 or 88 note model.
I would prefer working condition, but also open to a restoration project as these keyborads are over 30 yrs old.
All offers and enquiries will be answered.Please PM me if you have any of the above.
Regards

 
Great video! Thanks I have learnt a lot from this video.

Just one question.How did you go about setting the escapement by raising or lowering the height of the harp assembly with shims on LHS or RHS?

I assume this is done first in the escapement and strike line adjustments procedure to get the harp assembly just right as well as moving back/forward or sliding left or right.

Hope you can help. Just a clarification also, not a criticism but you are confusing the terms...tuning, voicing,tines, and tone bars.
Keep up the great work.

Regards

musomarc

Here is a link to shed some light on the Miracle Mod for Rhodes pianos circa 76-77 with the pedestal felt on the hammers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UVcRvnolQQ

Bjammerz  You Rock , awesome presentation man...

Hi,

Hi,
Just checking before installing Miracle mod on a 1975 Stage Mk1.Regarding Bjammer's advice:-
Am I correct in stating that "the resting position of the hammers after installing MM will be in a HIGHER position than without the MM bump added to the key pedestal" and that the hammers will now have less ditance to travel before hitting the tine.
Great discussion , very helpful stuff.
Regards

Hi Oliver,
I have a stack of Rhodes parts.I will have a look and see if I have some.I live in Sydney.
Regards

Hi,
I'm in the USA at present on a holiday and interested in purchasing a Rhodes 73 Stage piano in either California (San Francisco,Los Angeles) or New York.
Has anyone in Australia or the USA shipped a Rhodes to Australia and can offer some advice, info or suggestions.Please post any suggestions or PM me.
My USA cell is 415-797-9472
Regards
musomarc

Hi,
What a find and great story!
Thankyou from a Rhodes lover in Australia! Great to see someone who has researched and compiled this great historical and informative story with pics and artists on a keyboard that has shaped music for over 50yrs.
Can't wait to get my copy and watch the DVD, and yes I have gladly contributed the suggested $ to cover costs!
Thanks again.
musomarc

Hi Oliver,
Great restoration job! Congratulations "lazarus" on bringing a rhodes back "from the dead"!
It looks fantastic, well worth the effort.
I'm also doing up a  Rhodes stage 73. I gave up my first rhodes in about '84 when the DX7 was king.
I've regretted and lamented over  it for years, especially since it also had the Dyno mod done by Chuck Monte when he visited Sydney in the 1970's!!
Did you go for new pickups, second hand or have you tried rewinding and rewiring them yourself?
Any ideas appreaciated.
Regards

Hi,
I have 2 Rhodes Janus 1 speaker/amp boxes and a Rhodes Stage 73 Mk1 with a preamp mod with the slider controls and stereo vibrato and I am just checking on how to wire it up for full stereo effect.
Is it simply 5 pin XLR from piano preamp to Janus 1 ( say Left Spk) and then 2 mono  jack leads from this box's Line Outputs to the other Janus 1 ( say Left Spk) line inputs???
Or otherwise?
Just checking on the best way to connect the system.
I'd appreciate any comments,suggestions.
regards
musomarc

Hi,
I have a pair of Janus 1 amp/speakers for sale.All in very good condition amp,electrics,speakers etc working well
BUT I live in Sydney,Australia!
Home studio use only.I know ....not much help for you in USA, but just letting you and possibly others know.
Regards
musomarc

Hi,
Thanks for the reply and condolances!
No actually the piano is in great condition and pickups, tines,harp assembly look fine.Never been in seaside,salt conditions.
But no audio signal from front jack or harp RCA output? A rhodes tech checked it out and informed me 52 pickups are out.Apparently the pickup wire looks OK and he suggests unwinding a number of turns and resoldering may resurect it.
I hoping this is the case.
Regards
musomarc

Hi,
Thanks so much for your information and reply.
Regards
musomarc

Hi,
I'm a rhodes user from the 1970's and have recently bought a Stage 73 Mk2 to restore.
Unfortunately for me it has 55 dead pickups!!!
Has anyone got a complete set of rhodes pickups for sale?
I also need a sustain pedal and rod.If worse come to worse I'll have to rewire them myself.
Can anybody tell me what type of wire is used Gauge ,type etc
Any suggestions or parts for sale would be most appreciated.
Regards
musomarc

Hi,
I'm a rhodes user from the 1970's and have recently bought a Stage 73 Mk2 to restore.
Unfortunately for me it has 55 dead pickups!!!
Has anyone got a complete set of rhodes pickups for sale?
I also need a sustain pedal and rod.If worse come to worse I'll have to rewire them myself.
Can anybody tell me what type of wire is used Gauge ,type etc
Any suggestions or parts for sale would be most appreciated.
Regards
musomarc

Hi,
I'm after a set or as many lots as I can get to replace the pickups on a Rhodes Mk2.
All offers considered.Also need to ship to Australia.
Anyone who can help, please email me:-
markclifford1@bigpond.com
Thanks
Regards
Musomarc

Hi,
My name is Mark and I live in Sydney australia.
I realise this is an old post....but if you haven't found a Rhodes yet and still yearning!
See my post for a Rhodes for sale.
Mobile 0407-272487
email:- markclifford1@bigpond.com
Regards
musomarc

Hi,
My name is Mark and I live in Sydney Australia.I have collected a few Rhodes pianos ( and Wurlies).
I'm at the age where I need to sell some of them and keep one only. :)If you're still after a good Rhodes ( suitcase or stage) contact me on mobile 0407-272487 or email:- markclifford1@bigpond.com.
I recently posted a Rhodes and Wurlie for sale on this site.
Regards
musomarc