Which Mark 1 would you prefer? '75 or '77

[soul]

Hey all,
Ive found myself with two Rhodes Seventy Three Mark I Stage Pianos. Trying to decide which one to sell.

I've had my 1975 since the mid 90s. I did the Vintage Vibe bump mod to it. Sounds a bit gritty, probably needs a good tuning. But its got sentimental value having owned it an written many songs with it for almost 30 years.

I recently acquired a 1977 in very clean, like new shape, good tuning, not much grit at all.

Which year is preferred in general? How are they different? I can see the hammers are plastic on the 1977, can't remember what's inside of my 1975.

Any advice/opinions appreciated

[soul]

FWIW ChatGPT says 1975 is more sought after

[soul]

Also just discovered the newly acquired is a 1977 model, not '80

[filigroove]

Yes in 1980 the MkII was in production. I have a '75 too (but with plastic hammers) and a '79. They are completely different and I prefer the '75, more dynamic, more mid range. I suspect that a good technician could make the '79 sound more like the '75, I can't  .

[soul]

My 75 has wood hammers. The 77 has plastic hammers. The 75 is spongey, which is why I installed the bump mod. It's still a little spongy but Im okay with it, I play sloppy.

The 77 has more clean high end bell tone. I think I prefer the 75 - and likely plan to keep it. Quick ChatGPT chat says the 77 would sell faster and for more since it's in near-mint condition - so that's a factor to keep in mind along with the sentimental value of the 75.

[sean]

I am surprised that your 1975 Rhodes has wooden hammers.  For that reason alone, keep it.  I thought the wooden hammers disappeared in 1974.  Does your 1975 piano have individual dampers, or damper modules (twelve dampers per module)?

Sean

[The Real MC]

They both come from eras of different pickups, which is the major contributor to tone.  Therefore preference is highly subjective, there is no "correct" Rhodes.