Does new hardware de-value a Rhodes?

[Spaceduck]

I'm in the process of restoring a 1975 Mark I 73. A few pieces are missing such as corners, logo, glide feet and a tine. It's easy enough to find reproductions of these, but I was wondering if that would compromise the value of the piano. Should I try to find real vintage parts from 1975?

What do collectors prefer?

On a related note, I have to re-do the tolex, and I was considering some of the new tolex colours (like the "sparkle" varieties). But should I just stick with factory-standard black, for the sake of authenticity?

[Ben Bove]

It's difficult to say, unless it's like a mint mint original Rhodes, I dont think putting on reproduction hardware would devalue.  Most cases shiny new hardware would bring a better buck looking "serviced" or "restored."

[Dan Belcher]

The only people who care about definately using original stock hardware would be purist collectors.  Only if your piano is absolutely MINT condition with original stock parts would it matter to anyone.  99.9% of the time, the reproduction hardware is going to improve the look of your piano (no rust, no scratches, etc.) which will actually improve the value compared to a similar piano with rusted, beat up hardware.

And I'm torn about what color tolex I'd like ideally on a piano.  Yes, all sorts of tolex/lid color combinations look cool, but damnit, it's hard to go wrong with black.  Black just looks classy, moody, and beautiful on any kind of piano.  But beyond that, authenticity is merely up to personal taste.  Some people just want to have "that" old school Rhodes look.  Other people just want whatever they think looks cool.

[Ben Bove]

The other problem is dealing with the other colors of the piano.  The black was used with a silver namerail which looks good.  People have their opinions, but I personally don't like crazy retolex colors with the standard silver rail and black cheekblocks.  I mean if you're going lime green, I think you should go over and color scheme the whole piano.  Nothing's worse in my opinion than doing a rhodes in like chocolate brown with a black amp on the side.  It looks out of place IMO.

So I always suggest to be a designer if you're going custom, and go all the way.

[Rob A]

A 75 isn't rare enough to worry about authenticity.

[Spaceduck]

Thanks gang! This job will be a lot easier now. It's my first Rhodes ever, and I was worried about screwing it up. With that in mind, I'm sort of glad that it's not too rare because now I can chop away with confidence

bjam, I hear what you're saying about the colour combinations... I've seen some real doozies. I'm sure someone out there thinks lime green, black & chocolate brown is a great mix... but if you can't find that person I bet you'll have a tough time reselling it.

There was one Mark I on eBay not long ago which had a ton of weird modifications... like separate outputs for treble & bass () and a few other things stuff cut into the namerail. It sold for a pretty low price.

[MikeMalone]

The other problem is dealing with the other colors of the piano. The black was used with a silver namerail which looks good. People have their opinions, but I personally don't like crazy retolex colors with the standard silver rail and black cheekblocks. I mean if you're going lime green, I think you should go over and color scheme the whole piano. Nothing's worse in my opinion than doing a rhodes in like chocolate brown with a black amp on the side. It looks out of place IMO.

So I always suggest to be a designer if you're going custom, and go all the way.

I couldn't agree more! No one ever bothers to paint the cheek blocks! Even the so-called Rhodes experts when they do a job they leave the cheek blocks black! LAME!! If youre gonna do it, go all the way....

[Rune W]

I saw a 'woody' Rhodes on ebay some time ago. The old tolex was removed, and the case and lid had been oiled in som way to make the wood-pattern really look nice. It's a matter of taste... Personally I prefer the original black tolex. Adding new shiny hardware won't hurt