What's The Most PREFERRED Key RHODES 73 OR 88?

[Electrickey]

Would like to know what the consensus is on the key preference. The longer boards or the shorter? Searched the archives could not find any recognizable info.

[David Aubke]

Missing option: Fifty Four.

The Fifty Four is so easy to transport and set up and I hardly ever smack the left cheek block with my pinky while trying to find something below its range.

[Electrickey]

Missing option: Fifty Four.

I had considered that but due to its rarity, I focused on the longer models.

[Alan Lenhoff]

I have no idea if there is a consensus on this, but I prefer the 73. Due to the limitations of the technology, I find that the extreme registers of the 88 don't sound that great.  And it adds more weight, too.

Alan

[Rob A]

I'm a 73 for reasons stated immediately above.

[Cormac Long]

I'm an 88 but would have preferred a 73 in hindsight.

It could be just my piano.. but the upper notes were awkward to manage as the dampers were barely able to clear the pickups. I had to bend the tips such that the felt was angled forward to clear the pickup diagonally and actually dampen the tines. I did test out slight angling of the harp so it gave more clearance space for the dampers and pickups, but you end up with hammers hitting or jamming on some of the tine blocks.

The lower range is OK.. but the lowest 2-3 keys are not great. The pitch range of the 73 is in the ideal spot really.

[jean-papa]

happy with my 73, but i have to say that a few lower notes would be great!
my ideal rhodes would be a 80!
C lowest note and G highest...any good tech interested in building it?

[AFeastOfFriends]

I have an 88 and like that it gives you a couple more bass notes. I don't use the upper extreme, and the bottom two or three of the 88 could be cut off and I would never notice. I can't seem to get them to sound good, so I don't bother with them.

And they do  make it heavier, but I don't notice the extra 10 pounds or so since I use the couple extra notes it gives me. And I don't really move it much, although I might later on. (and then regret having the 88, maybe)

[Electrickey]

Thank you to all for the informative points. I can see where the 73 has its "just enough keys" appeal and considering its range, most of the popular notes and chords are in the middle of the board.

[B3legene]

Hi

I have a 73 and a 88 - but the actual number of keys have no meaning to me: as stated above the top notes and lowest notes of the 88 is a bit "difficult" to use. I bought the 88 because it has this sweet and deep sound that made me go "wauv!!!" - and I bought the 73 because it has a rather aggressive and shallow sound that also made me go "wauv!!!" - which leads to my personal point of view: to me the most important issue is the SOUND of the individual piano and not the number of keys, - to paraphrase: "if it sounds good - buy it and play it" 

[Electrickey]

Hi

I have a 73 and a 88 - but the actual number of keys have no meaning to me: - and I bought the 73 because it has a rather aggressive and shallow sound..
I bought the 88 because it has this sweet and deep sound - which leads to my personal point of view: to me the most important issue is the SOUND of the individual piano and not the number of keys, - to paraphrase: "if it sounds good - buy it and play it" 

Interesting comment!

[Abraham]

...besides, suitcase amp is designed to fit a '73, so if you put an 88 on top, this oversizes on both sides which is ugly inmho... (sorry!) not a real problem anyway

[The Real MC]

Hi

I have a 73 and a 88 - but the actual number of keys have no meaning to me: as stated above the top notes and lowest notes of the 88 is a bit "difficult" to use. I bought the 88 because it has this sweet and deep sound that made me go "wauv!!!" - and I bought the 73 because it has a rather aggressive and shallow sound that also made me go "wauv!!!" - which leads to my personal point of view: to me the most important issue is the SOUND of the individual piano and not the number of keys, - to paraphrase: "if it sounds good - buy it and play it" 

The voice of reason speaks

[Ben Bove]

Very interesting reply by Jean-papa, I have had the exact same thoughts.  The perfect piano for me would have a few lower notes added on the 73, and maybe a couple up top but around 80

Rhodes in my opinion sounds better in the lower register on the 88 than the upper register on the 88.  I can't remember once ever going up to the very top it's just too shrill.  But the intention was to model the Rhodes after the grand piano so you can assume they were going to make one have 88 notes.

The acoustic piano really is almost the same though.  Who really goes down and grabs that low A on an acoustic, unless you're Tori Amos or are playing for effect?

The other technical aspect, is that an 88 has a different output sound than a 73.  I haven't had the time to do the test, but either it's the additional pickups on the signal chain, or the component in the top register for the purpose of reducing hammer noise on the very top, that slightly affects the tone and makes it darker than a 73.  It's on my to-do list but might get into heavy wiring chain tests and things.

[Electrickey]

The other technical aspect, is that an 88 has a different output sound than a 73.  I haven't had the time to do the test, but either it's the additional pickups on the signal chain, or the component in the top register for the purpose of reducing hammer noise on the very top, that slightly affects the tone and makes it darker than a 73.  It's on my to-do list but might get into heavy wiring chain tests and things.

Sounds like a valid research path.