Different keyped bumps...

[Groove4Hire]

Got a week 22 1978 Rhodes Mark 1 Stage 88 in the other day and when taking out the keys I noticed that the pedestalbump in this piano was bigger than on the later models... Anyone else noticed this too? Pic speaks for itself...

[David Ell]

Many times I have seen this longer pedestal on '78's. Lot's of Buzz Watsons felt mods used this length as well.

[Groove4Hire]

For some reason I haven't had many early 78s in my shop... I've had early 78s with white felt on cams and regular bump on the later 78s but this is a first for me... Would you say the longer bumps are better? The escapement is totally whack on this piano so I can't really tell how it feels until I've set it up...

[David Ell]

They can be really good. You need to get the escapement right like you said before you can tell what the bumps are doing. It's the 79's bumps you got to watch out for. 
I have seen felt mods with longer bumps but the early felt interm mod was great. That white felt has not been bettered.

[Ben Bove]

Interesting.  2278 would be right around when they first started manufacturing the wood bump standard.  Could be that they decided to shorten it later due to some sort of discovery.