Retroflyer Preamp

[Bbudapest]

Hi everybody,

I just got myself a Fender Rhodes 73 from 1972. I already disassembled the whole piano to clean it and to exchange parts. In the end I'm planning on installing a preamp.

I stumbled upon the Retroflyer by avionstudios.com. I searched this forum and found no entries with retroflyer. This brings me to my first question:
Has anybody had any experiences with this preamp?

My second question: According to the video one has to install a name plate saying "Retroflyer by avionstudios". I know this would ruin the look of my piano so I'm wondering if there's any way to use it wothout the new plate. On my piano, there's no name plate at all, so I would like to keep it that way. My last question: Has anybody recommendations for a preamp other than Tine Bomb or Retroflyer?

Thank you very much,
Jochen

[utters]

I'm currently awaiting for mine to arrive, just ordered it a few days ago. I have a Rhodes 'home' piano with a bust amp, and have always wondered to get the speaker going again. So this is the first part of the process. Next step a power amp in there!

The reviews for this swayed me, plus it doesn't require soldering.

To answer your 2nd question, you could definitely use it without the name plate. Totally optional. I won't be using it either.

I'm pretty sure the only other one that actually installs inside the piano is the vintage vibe stereo vibe preamp. I could be wrong though.

[musomarc]

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!

[Student Rhodes]

I watched a couple videos.  The product looks good.
Might go well in one of my stage models.

[burymyteeth]

Hey all I just wanted to add my own experience with the RetroFlyer, I purchased a few months ago for my Mark I Stage 73. Im absolutely in love with the sound of my Rhodes ever since I put it in. I can't tell you how much time I spent obsessing over my Rhodes tone before I bought the retroflyer hahaha, and when I put it in it was finally like "ahhhhhh". I use it with a Roland Space Echo RE-201 as well, and it really help drives the thing properly. Most importantly the stereo outs really sealed the deal for me, as I play with two Twin Reverbs, one clean and one with the RE-201. It brought together so many pieces of the puzzle and was insanely easy to put in. If you are, like I was, maniacally scavenging for some solution to your Rhodes tone, I really don't think you can go wrong for the price.