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Top E on Rhodes 73 strikes almost left of the tine

Started by lukevintage, May 15, 2022, 10:31:23 AM

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lukevintage

What is the common cause for a hammer strike very left of the top E on a 1979 73 Rhodes? I'm happy with the strikes on the other keys but it does mean that strike line adjustment is limited.

sean


There is a good chance that the hammer flange is broken.

There is a smaller chance that the hammer is simply not seated in the hammer flange.


lukevintage

Quote from: sean on May 15, 2022, 02:16:11 PMThere is a good chance that the hammer flange is broken.

There is a smaller chance that the hammer is simply not seated in the hammer flange.



Thank you, Sean, for your reply. I hope to reopen the Rhodes to find a solution for the key dip so I'll take some photos of the hammer and cross my fingers that it is only sitting badly.

Jenzz

Hi .-)

Keep in mind that the top e hammerflange is not part of a 12-piece hammer flange. To achieve the 73th note, this is a single flange with its own screw. Since this piece is cut from a former 12-piece flange, the securing pins at the bottom are only on one side. This will cause the flange to have a lot of side-play if the screw is not tight.

Jenzz
Rhodes tech in Germany
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VintageVibe 64 ACL + Type 120 (DIY MXR MX-120 clone) Env. Filter, EHX SmallStone, EHX NeoClone

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In the Past:
Stage 73 Mk1 (1977)
Stage 88 Mk1 (1975)
Stage 73 Mk2 (1980)
Stage 73 Mk2 (1981 - plastic)
Suitcase 73 Mk1 (1973)
Suitcase 73 Mk1 (1978)

lukevintage

Quote from: Jenzz on May 16, 2022, 02:22:48 AMHi .-)

Keep in mind that the top e hammerflange is not part of a 12-piece hammer flange. To achieve the 73th note, this is a single flange with its own screw. Since this piece is cut from a former 12-piece flange, the securing pins at the bottom are only on one side. This will cause the flange to have a lot of side-play if the screw is not tight.

Jenzz
Just came online to update the exact same information:the securing pin that sits in the trough now sits true. I'd say it's been this way since it left the factory. In fact, the presence of flecks of metal from the original drilling confirm so.
Not perfect by any means but better than before.

Good call, Jenzz! Thank you.

lukevintage

I put the harp back on to see that the work hadn't made any difference at all. I fear this hammer was born this way. It could be the flange doesn't sit perfectly or that the drill wasn't perfectly vertical.
I'll try again but I don't want to screw too tightly and risk damaging the flange assembly.

Jenzz, that was interesting the point you made about the single flange coming from a former 12-piece flange.

lukevintage

Once I put the Rhodes back together, I saw that it had made zero difference. The hammer was born that way. The good news is it's not broken. However, I'm unsure how to adjust it so that it strikes correctly.