New (yes, new) Rhodes MKV on Ebay !!!

[Funkatized]

Quite unbelieveable, isn't it?

Do you believe them?
//http://cgi.ebay.de/Fender-Rhodes-Mark-V-Rare-still-in-the-Box-NEW_W0QQitemZ140253853539QQihZ004QQcategoryZ16220QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD2VQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1638Q2em122

Regards,

DeeGee

[Mark II]

boring [Homer:off] :wink:

sorry, but this thing has been on ebay for so many times.

Mark II

[taco]

Dont be rude Mark II....everytime I see it on Ebay I wish I had the Money
Last time it was offered for 10k I belive. I wonder what they price it when the
"who cant be named" [woldemort?  :wink: ] comes out.

[Ben Bove]

I wonder how the fees are for trying to sell this piano so many times now.  I thought when you start a listing at a high amount, you have to pay an "insertion fee" for the percentage listed.

Maybe it's just when you use a reserve, I forget, but it can't be a bright idea to keep losing money on a piano that's about $7,000 overpriced.

[Mark II]

Dont be rude Mark II....

sorry, I should have used some emoticons. no rude behaviour intended.

Mark II

[Dan Belcher]

I wonder how the fees are for trying to sell this piano so many times now.  I thought when you start a listing at a high amount, you have to pay an "insertion fee" for the percentage listed.

Maybe it's just when you use a reserve, I forget, but it can't be a bright idea to keep losing money on a piano that's about $7,000 overpriced.

Bear in mind it's a great advertising opportunity for Speakeasy as well -- people see this auction all the time and see it's done by Speakeasy Vintage Music and decide to check out their website or Google them, etc.  Pretty smart in my opinion!

[keysandslots]

I wonder how the fees are for trying to sell this piano so many times now.  I thought when you start a listing at a high amount, you have to pay an "insertion fee" for the percentage listed.

Maybe it's just when you use a reserve, I forget, but it can't be a bright idea to keep losing money on a piano that's about $7,000 overpriced.

Bear in mind it's a great advertising opportunity for Speakeasy as well -- people see this auction all the time and see it's done by Speakeasy Vintage Music and decide to check out their website or Google them, etc.  Pretty smart in my opinion!

For me it has the opposite effect.  I wouldn't do business with anyone who thinks a Rhodes is worth $12,000.

Randy

[Ben Bove]

well it's that old philosophy - do you buy the classic 1969 mustang with 6 miles on it, just to buy it and put in a glass case, or actually use it?  I don't think there are a lot of "glass case" Rhodes collectors out there.

[tomnardozza]

1966 mustang bjammerz.....1966.....!!

[matt.musicman]

I agree, Randy.

[raemon80]

well it's that old philosophy - do you buy the classic 1969 mustang with 6 miles on it, just to buy it and put in a glass case, or actually use it?  I don't think there are a lot of "glass case" Rhodes collectors out there.

u mean a '62 Impala?  

[The Real MC]

Most sellers lower their opening bids each time they re-list it.

These guys never lowered it on that piano and it has never had a single bid for YEARS...  can you say CLUELESS

[Funkatized]

In this case it looks like they don't really wan't it to be sold.....

[geyster]

Well, I've sent speakeasy an email a couple of days ago asking them if they had any models for sale, and the so called "brand new MarkV" was in their listing...
Here's the list they sent me, I almost fell off my chair:

73 stage is 4800.00
54 stage is 4800.00
Mark V restored is 6500.00
Mark V still in the Rhodes Box 12,000.00

:shock:
What's so special with their Rhodes ? Have they been owned by Herbie Hancock or Chick Corea or something ? I don't get it !! :?

[Funkatized]

Somebody has to remind them to take their pills !

:twisted:

[Rob A]

They aren't selling fixer-uppers. The idea is that price includes the price of premium tech service and restoration. So if you are a working pro wanting a Rhodes to tour with, it makes sense to buy one ready to put on stage in a completely prime condition.

[Funkatized]

How much did they offer you for this ?  :lol:

[Rob A]

20% of everything you spend.

[speakeasyvintage]

Well, I've sent speakeasy an email a couple of days ago asking them if they had any models for sale, and the so called "brand new MarkV" was in their listing...
Here's the list they sent me, I almost fell off my chair:

73 stage is 4800.00
54 stage is 4800.00
Mark V restored is 6500.00
Mark V still in the Rhodes Box 12,000.00

:shock:
What's so special with their Rhodes ? Have they been owned by Herbie Hancock or Chick Corea or something ? I don't get it !! :?

A Rhodes piano from Speakeasy is the Best of the Best. Our restored pianos are ground up restored. The process is a 18 to 22 week job.  Down to the last bolt & nut.

Steven Hayes

[Funkatized]

Still the prices are inappropriate :wink:

Regards,

DeeGee

[pianodano]

I have been hanging around here for a while now and I have fully come to realize that most (not all, but most) of the Rhodes fans seem have have totally unrealistic expectations as to the time in labor and materials that are involved in restoring a Rhodes. I recently did a total restoration on mine and I can tell anybody that cares ... It is a awesome amount of work. To properly execute, it requires the skills of many craftspeople, many  of  which are now fast disappearing from todays world. It is a shame that so many folks can not understand or appreciate workmanship of high quality.

When executed to near perfection and tweaked to better than original factory condition, a Rhodes is a sight to behold and a joy to play and own. Conversely, when the work is  executed using third rate or jackleg workmanship, a Rhodes should be considered what it really then is - a piece of junk. NO, I am not connected with Speakeasy, but I did buy some parts from them.  I would just like to see some of the folks around here get real as to there expectations. Nobody cares to work for nothing. And guys that can bring a Rhodes back to original condition are worth a lot. Just my 2c.

Danny

[james]

I have to agree considering what they did to my 12-note Mark II, which was half destroyed when I shipped it to them.  I don't know how much time went into the restoration, but they rebuilt the rotted out cabinet for one thing.  What would you pay for that?

I got a couple of tines from their latest run yesterday and will be checking them out in the long zone where I'm missing #1, #2 and #3 on my Stage 73.  That's the area where Major Key's reproduction tines had the most trouble, so it'll be interesting to see what happens...all I can say is that out of the package, they look fantastic Steve!

[pianodano]

I have to agree considering what they did to my 12-note Mark II, which was half destroyed when I shipped it to them.  I don't know how much time went into the restoration, but they rebuilt the rotted out cabinet for one thing.  What would you pay for that?

I got a couple of tines from their latest run yesterday and will be checking them out in the long zone where I'm missing #1, #2 and #3 on my Stage 73.  That's the area where Major Key's reproduction tines had the most trouble, so it'll be interesting to see what happens...all I can say is that out of the package, they look fantastic Steve!

Who knows how much for a case?  I am a cabinetmaker and I have had several guys pm me wanting to know if I would build replacement tops or bottoms. It is more work that most would be willing to pay for so I usually don't respond.

I bought  some of Speakeasy's tines in February. You're gonna like those tines. Before I found out Speakeasy was making them, I bought tines 1 and 2 on ebay from the king of Rhodes demolishers, but they were 25 dollars each.  I seriously doubt that they will last very long.

Danny

[Rob A]

Still the prices are inappropriate :wink:

I think there's a "keyboard player" mindset that's distinct from the "piano player" mindset.

I happen to own a grand piano. I pay more to my technician (who is no less than gifted) each year to tune and maintain this instrument than I paid for my suitcase Rhodes. The investment is necessary, and makes sense for someone who wants to own a premium instrument in top playing condition. Specifically what I mean by that is that I can go into pretty much any piano showroom and sit down at a $40k instrument that is not set up as well as mine and feels terrible by comparison.

Piano owners get this--having a relationship with a skilled piano tech is crucial if you are going to own a non-trivial piano.

And here you have a company who besides making a quality tech service available to us, also provides a wealth of technical support (see their Youtube channel) back to the community of enthusiasts. They've worked to bring replacement parts to market that you couldn't otherwise obtain. My view is that they deserve compensation for what they do no different than my piano tech does.

At such time as I need to tour with a Rhodes*, I know precisely who I'll contact to buy my touring rig from. The fact that I can tech myself doesn't matter. When I am in the position of having to rely on my equipment, I will take full advantage the best tech services available.

* I no longer play professionally. That's not changing in the foreseeable future.

[geyster]

Well, I've sent speakeasy an email a couple of days ago asking them if they had any models for sale, and the so called "brand new MarkV" was in their listing...
Here's the list they sent me, I almost fell off my chair:

73 stage is 4800.00
54 stage is 4800.00
Mark V restored is 6500.00
Mark V still in the Rhodes Box 12,000.00

:shock:
What's so special with their Rhodes ? Have they been owned by Herbie Hancock or Chick Corea or something ? I don't get it !! :?

A Rhodes piano from Speakeasy is the Best of the Best. Our restored pianos are ground up restored. The process is a 18 to 22 week job.  Down to the last bolt & nut.

Steven Hayes

Hi Steven
I'd like to publicly apologize here because I simply knocked on the wrong door when I contacted you, my mistake !

I was searching for an "average" condition piano you usually find on the second-hand market, but definitely not a completely restored/fully refurbished piano as you offer. But I didn't know who I was contacting when I did it actually !

And I truly believe you now that I own a Rhodes and I realized how much time and effort it takes to replace say only the hammer tips ! :wink:

Well, keep it up because we all know you're a real asset to the Rhodes world, as opposed to certain people orbiting around Harold's memory, hum... :roll:

[kineticturtle]

craftspeople, many  of  which are now fast disappearing from todays world. It is a shame that so many folks can not understand or appreciate workmanship of high quality.

Hear hear!

[keysandslots]

I must have a different Rhodes piano than some of you.  Mine is a fairly simple affair, designed to be portable and relatively easy to fix.  It was not designed to be run through expensive boutique preamps, babied by skilled technicians and lovingly restored at a cost comparable to keeping a quality acoustic piano performing well.  

It was designed to be played, bashed a bit, carried around, have wine and beer spilled on it and generally just survive (and perhaps thrive) where expensive acoustic pianos would quickly become unplayable.

Restoring a Rhodes (or keeping one in reasonable shape) takes time, a good ear, some tools and common sense.  If you are lacking in any of those then you need to be prepared to pay someone who is better prepared.  

I have had mine stripped to an empty wood box, have experimented with different wiring schemes (it's a stage piano so it's easier perhaps than a suitcase), and have built new cabinet parts for it .  I figured out for myself that things needed to be lubed, and also guessed that raising the harp or changing the mounting points slightly would affect the sound.  The damper drove me nuts for awhile but I epoxied a little washer to the underside of the damper to stop the rod from slipping around, and all has been well for the past 30 or so years.

I have had no need to replace any grommets or screws or tines or anything else, and have not added any bumps or other mods.  My piano continues to exist in much the same condition Harold intended for it to exist.

I have also helped others restore their pianos (screwed one up, too impatient - see the reference to "time" in an earlier sentence).  If you have a Rhodes that needs some work, and you cannot afford the cost of "craftsmen", do not be afraid to fool with it yourself.   I'll admit spare parts might be expensive or hard to come by, but you'll run into that with anything you attempt to restore.  

I have to tell you that I think sometimes we take this stuff a bit too seriously.

Randy

p.s.  I started piano lessons in 1964 and have been playing since then.  I would rather play a good acoustic piano than any other keyboard instrument.  I have in no way intended to insult any of the acoustic pianos out there.

[kineticturtle]

Restoring a Rhodes (or keeping one in reasonable shape) takes time, a good ear, some tools and common sense.  If you are lacking in any of those then you need to be prepared to pay someone who is better prepared.

I think that's really the point; the people these instruments were designed for all took wood shop and machine shop in high school, most of them knew how to solder and many of them didn't have to take their cars to the mechanic very often.

It's a different world now, and "s**t my A key is clicking" doesn't incite the same feeling of excitement for people who have been taught that dabbling in mechanics is for "a different class of people". That's what's sad; many people (especially the younger among us) don't have that common sense at all. We're used to cell phones that get thrown away when they don't work properly.

The rhodes is simple, but it's still far beyond the understanding of many people I know. I work as a tech at a University, and our new director of jazz studies owns two beautiful Rhodes instruments; an 88 stage mk 1 and a 73 suitcase (not sure what model, it's at his house). After I fixed the university's 73 suitcase (someone had yanked the 5-pin socket right out of the damn thing!), we were talking about how easy they are to fix. He said he's just never bothered with it, and has no interest. How much has that lack of interest cost him? I don't know, but his 88 key needs its grommets replaced, at the very least, I could tell just by playing a few keys unamplified...

As for the perceived need to play them through expensive amplifiers; early famous recordings defined the expected sound of the instrument. A lot of people want theirs to sound like that. I disagree; I love mine fat and huge through a bassman with 15" speakers; I'd love to get a second identical amp and run it in stereo! The idea of running it through a twin sounds... thin and lame, to me.

[modorange]

These are mechanical devices and there is a limited quantity of them available; once someone ponies up the dough for the one MK V in the box, arguably there will be no more of its kind at all. Considering the fact that they are somewhat collectible, and this is an irreplaceable item, I think the price should be considered taking collectible and inflation in mind. WHat was the list price of a MK V when they came out? Accounting for inflation, what would the price be today? And, accounting for collectibility, what would the price be?