Author Topic: The Fender Rhodes Documentary (Read 98798 times)

apple_scruff · « **Reply #90 on:** February 24, 2013, 06:03:32 PM »

Donated.... and excited to watch it when it arrives! Thanks!

Ben Bove · « **Reply #91 on:** February 27, 2013, 07:00:06 PM »

Thanks again for your support, wanted to mention those that haven't subscribed, there have been new YouTube webisodes since last posting:

Robin Lumley, Brand X
http://youtu.be/LY3A8ToJMYE

Greg Phillinganes
http://youtu.be/9D5Z_G8-K8I

Quincy Jones
http://youtu.be/pmh-H6Z2JC0

Allee Willis, Songwriter EW&F
http://youtu.be/EfStFDvZhI4

sledge-mk1 · « **Reply #92 on:** March 05, 2013, 01:45:28 AM »

Just donated/ordered mine.. Yesss..

apple_scruff · « **Reply #93 on:** March 08, 2013, 06:50:38 PM »

Just arrived in the mail and looking forward to watching it this weekend!

Ben Bove · « **Reply #94 on:** March 15, 2013, 12:01:41 PM »

Thanks again for all your comments, Earth Wind & Fire fans will enjoy Larry Dunn's webisode posted below. Appreciate your shares and support!

http://youtu.be/eA2vEUh325E

Abraham · « **Reply #95 on:** March 15, 2013, 02:47:45 PM »

This Rhodes sounds AWESOME, I wish mine sounded like this, betcha!

Abraham · « **Reply #96 on:** March 16, 2013, 02:25:02 PM »

Hey Ben would you please share with us, how did you record the rhodes on this take?

I mean its obviously NOT recorded trough the same mic as larry's speech, and it really doesn't sound to me like a suitcase speaker output, also there is that little spring reverb added... I got this compared to my suitcase and it could never sound like this without further processing. I really enjoyed the sound so I will appreciate some hints on getting THAT sound from mine,

thank you!

Ben Bove · « **Reply #97 on:** March 18, 2013, 11:42:27 AM »

Hey Abraham! It started with a really well set up piano obviously, but on the 5-pin Rhodes I have a little more overtone adjusted in to the tonebar setting. So they're a little closer to center on the pickups which helps bring out more of a mid-range sound that I feel is missing on the EQ curve of the 5-pin preamps.

It was recorded direct out, from the suitcase amp. This helped eliminate room noise or other "clicks" and "pops" that would show up on a microphone.

With the direct signal, some plate reverb was added for that vintage sound. Lastly, a little more EQ was added for that missing mid-high range. But the secret really is just to take a lot of time on each note and really set up the piano well.

Ben Bove · « **Reply #98 on:** August 05, 2013, 01:03:11 PM »

Just wanted to list webisodes that we put up since last posting:

Jay Graydon
http://youtu.be/vgvv5UFcimg

Ramsey Lewis
http://youtu.be/_PmzWh1N5Us

Maurice White
http://youtu.be/WeAejlzuFMQ

Steve Molitz
http://youtu.be/QhOXmpJq9Ms

Ellis Hall
http://youtu.be/noXKqVtiGzc

Appreciate any opportunity to share them on Facebook or other social nets to spread to word. Thanks again for your support!

Piano&Drums · « **Reply #99 on:** August 20, 2013, 09:44:29 PM »

Just downloaded and saw it. Awesome job!

Ben Bove · « **Reply #100 on:** October 23, 2013, 02:31:36 PM »

I wanted to make a special announcement, the book version of our documentary is finally complete and now available!

Through Hal Leonard books, we have published a nearly 300 page color book with the full length interviews from the musicians, many never-before-seen photos of the artists and a lot of Rhodes history. Included in the back cover is the exclusive Blu-Ray HD version of the documentary as well, with superior video quality and bonus interviews. It has been a huge undertaking, and we are very excited for its release.

To order a copy, please visit our website at www.fenderrhodesstory.com which has links to online ordering.

Thanks for everyone's continued support, please follow us on facebook, twitter etc. and help us continue the legacy of the Fender Rhodes!

martin · « **Reply #101 on:** October 23, 2013, 06:59:21 PM »

when are you interviewing stevie wonder???

Ben Bove · « **Reply #102 on:** October 23, 2013, 07:57:39 PM »

We've been in front of him on multiple occasions and he's been receptive to the idea. We're still excited for when he's willing and ready to have time to come through for the project.

Student Rhodes · « **Reply #103 on:** October 24, 2013, 12:18:42 AM »

Hey Ben,
I own the DVD, and it's great.
Is this book pretty much just a transcript of the documentary?
If not, how much additional material is in the book.
I know the doc focused mainly on the players and their styles. Does this book have sections on the mechanics etc. of the Rhodes?

Ray

Ben Bove · « **Reply #104 on:** October 24, 2013, 08:20:47 PM »

Hey Ray! The book includes the unedited full interviews from each player and CBS techs. To put it into perspective, the film is about 2 hours - all the footage transcribed into the book equals 40+ hours of footage. Needless to say, there is a ton more information that we didn't include in the film for the sake of run-time on a movie.

There are definitely great stories from the CBS folks talking about the factory, the production line, design, inner mechanics and more. The focus is definitely on the players that made it famous and their music, but I learned a lot myself when we conducted the full interviews with the original techs like Steve Woodyard and Mike Peterson.

There are also some incredible photos from the 40s 50s and 60s that I had never seen before, and have to give a huge thank you to Kenneth Manning for making that happen.

Thanks again for the support!

kphlx2000 · « **Reply #105 on:** October 24, 2013, 08:40:52 PM »

Thanks a lot Ben. It was a pleasure being a part of this project and can't wait to get my copy of the book. Great work guys(Ben & Gerald)!

Kenneth

vanceinatlance · « **Reply #106 on:** October 25, 2013, 11:21:14 AM »

Already enjoy the video, but can't imagine not having the book to accompany it, Ordered! Well put together, thanks for your efforts and can't wait for the delivery!

Loucas · « **Reply #107 on:** October 25, 2013, 11:46:36 AM »

I ordered before one hour !
Maybe the first one to enter Greece!
Thanks Ben for everything!

P.S: Amazing stuff too Kenneth !

voltergeist · « **Reply #108 on:** October 28, 2013, 09:48:08 AM »

Watched "Down the Rhodes" last night. Excellent work, very well done. Thanks!

LeonSpinks · « **Reply #109 on:** October 29, 2013, 06:28:20 PM »

Any Executone sightings/information in the book and/or movie?

Ben Bove · « **Reply #110 on:** October 30, 2013, 11:58:10 AM »

Haha I believe Kenneth had/has one and did have photos, but I will say a couple of rare birds have landed in there.

voltergeist · « **Reply #111 on:** November 08, 2013, 04:12:49 PM »

bjammerz, what's the story behind that pimp suitcase you're playing in the doc?

Loucas · « **Reply #112 on:** November 09, 2013, 12:31:02 AM »

Ben , also what kind of setting did you perform on that "unreal " Fender Rhodes suitcase in the dvd ?The one that appears in most of the videos (Ray Manzarek etc).

Ben Bove · « **Reply #113 on:** November 12, 2013, 11:52:11 AM »

Haha - the pimp suitcase aka "Solid Gold" was set out to be my building of the ultimate Rhodes.

It started out as a 1974 suitcase 73, one of my preferred eras and I also prefer the 73 key sound vs 88 sound. However, I wasn't a fan of how relatively low output the Peterson power supply is on stage. So I wanted to pair the top with a speaker cabinet from late 70s with the more powerful 5-pin power supply. As well, I really like the Eddy Reynolds EQ mod that was done to Peterson preamps - so the custom preamp I have is modeled after that sound, powered by a "Janus" 5-pin amp with a '74 top. For me it's the best of all 3 worlds and the piano is killer.

Of course it was also a total internal restoration, even changing out so-so tines, recapping the keys, key bushing job etc. so it's pretty new. Jensen C12N speakers.

I designed the faceplate online from Front Panel Express which turned out great. Found some gold shiny tolex-ish material, custom fabric for the speaker cloth - but my favorite is the "Chameleon" paint job on the lid. So in different lights, it's from green to gold to brown sparkle, from Alsa Corp.

I haven't had it out in the sunlight to capture the full effect so I'll snap a good picture in the near future.

Ben Bove · « **Reply #114 on:** November 12, 2013, 11:59:13 AM »

That suitcase 88 is also a 1974, and I've been over that piano meticulously time and time again. I have a good deal of overtone compared to fundamental set up in the tonebars... the 88s tend to be muddier for me so I try to get some more mid-range out of them. Just a lot of time invested in adjusting each note, swapping out funky tines and playing with sustain in the high register... There are a couple funny moments where you catch a sticking key to which I always say, "I can't win!" haha.

For the film it was recorded stereo line-out of the power amp, and some slight EQ and reverb. But it's all really how the piano is set up to get a good sound.

voltergeist · « **Reply #115 on:** November 12, 2013, 12:04:00 PM »

bjammerz, did you put backchecks in your pianos?

It looked like George Duke's piano had backchecks, other than that it didn't look like any piano in the doc did (though I don't remember paying attention to that detail on "Solid Gold").

Ben Bove · « **Reply #116 on:** November 12, 2013, 12:10:15 PM »

I've actually grown accustom to the action without backchecks. Pianos should have them by nature of an action design though.

voltergeist · « **Reply #117 on:** November 12, 2013, 12:24:05 PM »

I'm definately more of a tech than a player, but I'm suprised that more players don't consider back-checks a must-have mod.

Loucas · « **Reply #118 on:** November 24, 2013, 05:07:22 AM »

Hi.
Just receive the Book along with the blue ray .
This is a must for every Rhodes fun on earth .
This is a dream came true : A book full of Fender Rhodes story and not only.
Amazing testimonies from dozen of players.Plus photos etc.
THANKS BEN AND JERALD !

Mark S 1 · « **Reply #119 on:** January 07, 2014, 04:54:44 AM »

Just watched the video (MP4 download). Then watched it again with the wife, and afterward she handed me a shopping list of CD's to buy! Fortunately I had some of the material on LP, but I still spent 10x the cost of the video buying music!

Very well done Benjamin! That must have been an amazing experience getting to interview all those legends. The editing and recording was superb! I especially liked how the person interviewed would play a part of a song and then you would continue that song in the background. I assume this was a loop of their performance as it appeared seamless. And boy can those guys still lay it down. Wow!

Oh, and my wife loved the story of Phillinganes asking Stevie to call his Mom - hysterical!

Thanks again!
Mark

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Author Topic: The Fender Rhodes Documentary (Read 98798 times)