Hammers hitting the tine base on treble notes

[metzercise]

Hello from a new Rhodes owner!!

I believe from what i have read that I have a strike line problem, but wanted some perspective.

1977 Rhodes Eighty-Eight Suitcase. I just repaired the suitcase amp and pre-amp and now getting a wonderful clear sound. Next I am getting prepped to do the bump mod, level the keys, escapement, replace hammer tips etc.

However, when i listen/ look at the highest keys, the hammer is actually striking the base of the tine. The strike line has not been modified before (no new holes, original felts, hammers, tines) but perplexed as to why this would be sent out of the factory like this.

Is is normal on an Eighty-Eight for the high notes to hit at or super close to the base of the tine?

[The Real MC]

Make sure you have mounted the harp correctly.

Not sure about the era of your Rhodes, but my piano has two holes for mounting screws on the treble end.  Only one is used and it's not hard to place the screw through the wrong one.

The holes in the harp frame are large enough that you can loosen the screw and move the harp a little.  That may fix the strike problem.

Make sure there is nothing between the harp frame and the frame support.  Any debris in there will raise the harp and change the strike point.

[73key boogie]

Are you sure only 1 screw should be installed at that end? That's a lot of weight & moving the rhodes around would be dodgy IMO

I happen to have my 1970 mk1a apart & it's got 2 screws at each end. I have no idea if that was stock, but I recall seeing 2 at each end on the fenderrhodes site/manual pages

Here it is, halfway down this page

http://fenderrhodes.com/org/manual/ch4.html