ID help

[JosephB]

Sorry for the noob question, folks, but an old friend just gifted this to me and I'm not 100% sure of its origins. Obviously it's a Stage 73. He said it was born in 1975 but, according to the interwebs, the stamp on the pickup board (see pic) indicates that it's a 1973. Or at least I think it does. Can anyone confirm?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[4kinga]

First off, you have an awesome friend!

And yes, the date stamp is the 40th week of 1973.

[JosephB]

Indeed I do have a great friend. Thanks.

I'm still a little confused though. It's a Super Satellite. As I mentioned in the first post, my friend told me it was a '75. But the stamp says '73. Then I ran across this:
 
https://reverb.com/item/11267636-1975-rhodes-stage-73-super-satellite-electric-piano-mk-i-fender-suitcase-w-legs-pedal-hangtags

That looks identical – the piano and the speakers (although the name rail badge on mine is gone). That listing says it's a 1975, but then the second paragraph in the description says: "This piano has a complete harp and action assembly that dates back to 1973 with the earlier Fender Rhodes branding, paired with enclosures that simply have the "Rhodes" name.

Does anybody know if this was a common thing in 1975? To sell a piano manufactured in 1973 with the Rhodes (no Fender) badge? My speakers just say Rhodes.

Related question – did they offer the Super Satellite setup in 1973? Obviously if they didn't, that would help us pin it down.

[spave]

The Super Satellite system probably is a 75, a 73 would have the "Fender Rhodes" badging.

I believe they used to sell conversion kits for existing stage pianos for the super satellite that included a new namerail which is probably what happened in that reverb listing and your own piano.

Basically that means that all of the mechanical stuff in your piano is from 1973 but the preamp, namerail and satellites are likely from 1975 or later.

Also, here's a link to the Vintage Vibe where you can buy a replacement Fender Rhodes logo for your namerail: https://www.vintagevibe.com/products/fender-rhodes-name-rail-logo

There should also be a big logo on the back of the piano as well: https://www.vintagevibe.com/products/fender-rhodes-large-rear-logo