Rhodes Eighty Eight (advice wanted)

[soul]

I found one in the local music store, looks really clean, comes with pedal, cover,and some kind of external preamp.  I cant find any for sale on eBay, so I have no idea if this is a good deal or not.  Any advice?  I can upload a pic if it helps.

[soul]

by clean, I mean it looks like it never left the old lady's house

[soul]

[soul]

How much should I pay for it in mint condition?

[Student Rhodes]

This is either a stage model outfitted to run Satellite speakers, or it's the top half to a Suitcase model.  Does this have receptacles underneath to accept four legs and a center brace?  If not, it's missing the bottom stereo cabinet.   You can Google images of the two versions to see what I'm talking about.

If it's a stage model with legs, I'd say it'd fetch $700-$1100.
A full suitcase Mk II would probably run about $900-$1500.
These prices are not scientific, just based on my own observations of what stuff seems to sell for (or more often not sell for...) The Mk II generally goes for less money than the Mk I, for reasons that may or may not matter to you.

If it's just a suitcase top, I'd expect it to go for something like $500 to $700.  They're a riskier purchase as the bottom of the shell was thinner and prone to warping and or breaking under impact or weight. 

I may be talking out my ass on this point, but I believe later models of the MK II may have mounted keys without a separate bed, so warping of the bottom would definitely cause problems with keys binding.

Best,
Ray

[David Aubke]

I may be talking out my ass on this point, but I believe later models of the MK II may have mounted keys without a separate bed, so warping of the bottom would definitely cause problems with keys binding.

When they began using plastic keys, the keyframe was eliminated.


I could be wrong but I think those are wooden keys on soulsystem's piano.

[Ben Bove]

Ray has some great points.  I just happened to catch that scrolling all the way to the right and top of the photo, there's a sustain pedal - so I imagine it could be a stage model.

Judging by the finish on the sustain rod it's chrome satin, i.e. probably a 1981 or later piano (they're hard to come by and usually original).  So that could constitute plastic keys, and perhaps a little lower market value.

[Student Rhodes]

Hey Ben,
Yeah, I saw the damper pedal, which would make one believe it's a Stage.  But after all these years, people mix 'n' match to keep these things going.  I thought possibly someone may have plopped a Suitcase top on an "X" stand and scrounged a pedal from somewhere.  That's how the previous owner was running the Gold Sparkle Student Model I bought a month or so ago.
Ray

[Ben Bove]

That is definitely the truth.  haha.

[soul]

Its got the 4 chrome legs and damper pedal with the steel rod same as my 73 mark I.  I did not check the keys to see if they are plastic.    Thanks all.