What is Dyno-My-Piano/Dyno-My-Rhodes?

[james]

Once upon a time, there was a guy named Chuck Monte who decided that electric pianos were cool, but they weren't really good enough for professional use. Under the name Dyno-My-Piano, Chuck took stock Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Hohner and Yamaha pianos and customized them extensively, giving them a better sound both in the studio and on stage. The "Dyno Rhodes" grew in popularity with recording artists in the 1970's, and by the 80's its punchy, bell-like sound had practically taken over the Top 40 and R&B airwaves. The list of Dyno clients was a long one that included Joe Zawinul, George Duke, Tom Coster (Santana), Rick James, Russell Ferrante (Yellowjackets) and Larry Dunn (Earth, Wind & Fire).

Dyno-My-Piano started in 1974, with Chuck being the sole proprietor. What began as a method of fine-tuning the piano's tone and action evolved into a much larger operation by the late 70's, involving custom electronics, new hardware and other performance-oriented improvements. Eventually Chuck could not do all the work himself (his clients numbered in the thousands), so he began training Dyno service technicians in seminars across the US. These seminars focused more on understanding the inner workings of the Rhodes than installing hardware: the first step toward producing the Dyno sound was to optimize the harp setup. This process involved moving the pickups as close to the tines as possible, along with adjusting the position of the tines to emphasize the overtones more than the fundamental.

Once these ideal settings were achieved, the Dyno EQ could do its job. The EQ was part of a custom preamp installed in the namerail of the Stage models, replacing the existing Volume and Bass Boost controls. The new preamp had two pairs of concentric knobs, one for Bass Boost and Overtone, the other for Volume and "Normal" (a post-EQ gain control?).

The harp adjustments and custom preamp alone were enough to give you the Dyno sound, but that was just the beginning. Another popular option was the Tri-Stereo Tremolo, an effects unit that was installed on the right-hand side of the namerail. The Tri-Stereo Tremolo was a 3-way panner (left-center-right) with several waveform options (square, sawtooth, sine), taking the Suitcase Vibrato concept to a new level. A set of stereo outputs was provided on the front panel, as well as an effects loop (inserted before the tremolo).

And then there was the Percussion Pedal, which wasn't really a "pedal" at all. This was a knee lever that was installed on the underside of the piano, allowing the performer to adjust the position of the harp assembly in real time(!). By shifting the harp slightly in relation to the pickups and hammers, a wide range of new tones became available. One Dyno ad from the time compared it to pitched percussion instruments like the kalimba and steel drums.

But one of the most important Dyno products was the Flat Top Conversion Kit, which most Mark I players desperately needed. The idea was fairly simple: take the lid of the Rhodes case and saw it in half. Part of the lid stays on when you setup the piano at the show, providing a flat and sturdy surface for your Clavinet, Minimoog, etc. Of course, the problem that arose from placing a keyboard on top of the pickup rail was that the piano now amplified the noise from that keyboard's power supply. The Dyno Shielding Kit was an option that helped in dealing with 60-cycle hum and other sources of interference. By installing a metal shield on the underside of the harp cover or the Dyno flat top, noise that would normally be amplified by the harp was greatly reduced, if not eliminated completely.

In addition to these standard modifications, Chuck was responsible for customizing pianos to suit the needs of individual clients. This ad from 1981 gives you an idea of what was possible:

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The Studio Model 4000 is a Rhodes piano that has been modified extensively by Dyno-My-Piano. It has been designed to eliminate the problems that may crop up in using the Rhodes piano in recording and performance situations. The piano includes an interface for connecting to a synthesizer, and onboard capability for running effects loops through the piano. Other features include a patented stereo equalizer, fine-tuned action and tone adjustments, inboard stereo chorus, inboard overdrive circuitry, stereo modulation and keyboard split, tone modulation circuitry which splits the EQ filters into two groups (panning between the two groups to give a wah-wah effect), a musical instrument input switcher that assigns the left and right location of inboard effects to interfaced keyboards, and an AC power distribution system module that remotes the power supply (it also supplies six extra outputs and will put out 110 volts, 240 volts, and 230 volts).

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Other things you might have seen on a Rhodes that got the "Full Monte" included a clear plexiglass harp cover, redecorated case (with the tolex stripped off and the wood finished, or maybe a "flame job"), and upgraded speakers for the Suitcase amp. It seemed that there was nothing Chuck wouldn't do to make the piano look and sound better....

As the Rhodes reached the end of its life in the mid-1980's, so did Dyno-My-Piano. Although Tom Coster and others still perform with theirs, it's not worthwhile to try to buy a used Dyno Rhodes if what you're looking for is the Dyno sound. As former Dyno tech James Page explains: "...if you do find one of our pianos, chances are that by now everything is probably out of adjustment, and if it has an EQ, it's only going to be amplifying an out-of-adjustment harp. So it is unfair to judge that 'Dyno' sound by an instrument that probably hasn't been serviced by a Dyno tech in 20 years."

[jaktron]

I think this was all gilding the lilly. And infact I don't like the sound, its very 80s and clean, too many overtones and no raw depth. Just my opinion. Tom coster now gigs with a Korg Triton Extreme and uses the stock rhodes patch, which is based on the Dynoed sound (very bell like).

[james]

The sharp bell-tone that you hear in 80's recordings doesn't always from from a Dyno-ed Rhodes, although Chuck may have been indirectly responsible for helping to create it.  You can get the same tone from any Rhodes if you adjust the tines with more overtone and add the right outboard EQ.  A Dyno-My-Rhodes was a hot rod customized the way the player wanted it, so if they wanted that crazy bell sound they could get it, but it could also sound punchy and still warm.  Unfortunately, the bell-tone and "Dyno" became synonymous at some point...Chuck, we forgive you....

[Rhodesman88]

Dyno's were absurbly expensive.  Back in the early 80's, Samson - the same company that makes the wireless microphones - came out with a 9V battery powered active circuit board called the WY Frequency Booster which enhansed the presence of the Rhodes sound. The board replaced the stock Rhodes stage controls. It had a volume knob and a set of concentric Treble/Bass cut and boost controls that looked like the vibrato controls on a Peterson pre-amp Rhodes - the ring was bass boost and cut, and the center knob was treble.  Great sound, and at the time was only $119.00.  Since I was doing Rhodes repairs at the time, I installed a lot of these for other musicians.  There were other companies that made something similar...but they did not compare with the Samson. I put one in my 1976 stage in 1981....it's still there and works great. The only thing that had to be done was to adjust the pick-up volumes ( the WY made the signal really hot) and adjust the overtones.

[pianotuner steveo]

Can anyone name some hit songs that used a Dyno?  Can only think of one, and I'm not 100% sure if that even was a Dyno. Richard Tee played it....

[geyster]

Here's a couple of hit songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZ9Pa41KJjM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_esJmpDcLM

[Rhodesman88]

Can anyone name some hit songs that used a Dyno?  Can only think of one, and I'm not 100% sure if that even was a Dyno. Richard Tee played it....

[Rob A]

See also: http://www.fenderrhodes.com/service/dyno-sound.php

[Groove4Hire]

Saving All My Love from Whitney Houston's first album is also a good example of a Dyno Rhodes... Or Russell Ferrante's Dyno on Yellojackets Mirage A Trois album...

[The Real MC]

In the early 80's Al Jarreau released his "Breaking Away" album with "Morning" and other songs.  The Dyno Rhodes is very heavily used on the album.

"Breaking Away" was not the Dyno Rhodes. 

Tom Canning, who played on the album, confirmed it was the famous "E" model rental rhodes from Leeds Rentals.  The "E" model was the inspiration for the Dyno Rhodes.

[Rhodesman88]

In the early 80's Al Jarreau released his "Breaking Away" album with "Morning" and other songs.  The Dyno Rhodes is very heavily used on the album.

"Breaking Away" was not the Dyno Rhodes. 

Tom Canning, who played on the album, confirmed it was the famous "E" model rental rhodes from Leeds Rentals.  The "E" model was the inspiration for the Dyno Rhodes.

Thank you, I stand corrected and will remove my post.

[Groove4Hire]

The Model E Rhodes was according to the sources a 1972 Suitcase where Steve Woodyard modified the action so it got a longer hammerthrow and Eddie Reynolds modifed the electronics so it got brighter.

[pianotuner steveo]

Any other songs? I dont know any whiney huston songs, and i could not get the youtube videos to open ( I use an ipad)

What about Just the Two of Us?
50 ways to leave your Lover?
Are those dynos?

I think Richard Tee played both tracks but could be wrong

[Groove4Hire]

I don't think Richard Tee was a Dynouser. The stuff I've heard or seen with Tee is him on either a Mark 1 or Mark II Suitcase with an Electro Harmonix Small Stone Phaser... But listen to Mirage A Trois with Yellowjackets for example... Lots of Dyno Rhodes on that record.

[pianotuner steveo]

Hahaha I typed WHINEY by accident...but I like it.....

[bfrye55]

hello

I just joined the Forum and have posted some pics of my recently tuned and tweaked 1979 Mk I Stage 73 Dyno... Nir at FenderRhodesLA.com did the work, and per his critical evaluation, my Dyno scores a rare 9.5 out of a possible 10.  It is an AMAZING instrument.  Yes, you can tweak the overtone control of any Rhodes to get closer to Dyno sound... BUT there is SO much more that Chuck did to make this happen... the ACTIVE EQ is a critical element. 

And NO, the Dyno sound is not just brighter... in fact, the range of sounds that are possible by creatively mixing the direct harp signal with various amounts of high and lo EQ is darn near infinite.  It can be very bright and percussive... it can also be muted and serene.  And you can kick bass VERY effectively as there is an amazing amount of gain available from the Active EQ.  People wide and far mistakenly think the Dyno sound is only bright...not at all true!

The expressive capabilities as a result of the Active EQ and the other action-related mods Chuck made is quite incredible... you can ago from a whisper to a screaming hot tone easily... if you have the type of keyboard technique and dexterity to handle this level of expression.

ALSO... Chuck did quite a bit of work on the actual keyboard response... my first pre-Dyno Stage 73 was a dog when I first bought it, the action was heavy and sluggish.  I did some work myself on it to free it up... years ago, can't recall what specifically I did.  But the Dyno's action was marvelous right out of the box.  Fast, light, responsive with incredible tactile feedback... in short, the better your keyboard technique, the more musical you can be with this Dyno.  It's the best feeling and best sounding Rhodes I've ever heard / played, including many of the "legendary" ones here in LA that have been on many major recordings.

I have just launched a YouTube page with a few video examples on it... https://www.youtube.com/user/bumpercams

A bit of history about this particular Dyno... in 1979, I was managing the Keyboard and ProSound rooms at Guitar Center San Diego... back when there were only 3 Guitar Centers... and we got in 6 or so Dynos in stock.  I opened up and tried out every one, and cherry picked the best of the litter... and this is the one I purchased back then, and have had all these years.  It is a supreme example of what a Rhodes can truly be!

Bob

[jimmymio]

I am a former Dyno tech. The thing that is often overlooked is that the Dyno sound was the preamp/EQ combined with the mechanical adjustments which were what we termed "tone and volume", damper, and tuning. I saw several hundred pianos go through our shop and not once did we install an EQ or any of the other electronics without these adjustments being done first. There would be no benefit to boosting frequencies in a piano where the sonics were wrong to begin with.

[jimmymio]

As for a partial list of clients that I can remember coming through our San Francisco shop I remember these-

Burt Bacharach
Bee Gees
Robbie Buchanan- Whitney Houston/Saving All My Love
                           Al Jarreau/I Will Be There For You
                           James Ingram/Just Once
Tom Canning- Al Jarreau
Tom Coster- Santana
Dennis DeYoung- Styx
Larry Dunn –EWF
Russel Ferrante- Yellowjackets
Rick James- Stone Canyon Band
Tee Lavitz- Dixie Dregs
Greg Phillinganes
Jeff Pittson- Maynard Ferguson
Patrice Rushen