the IDIOT'S guide to BUYING and OWNING a RHODES!

[DQ]

so go on, tell me. how exactly do you do it. how do you make the dream come true.

how do i find a rhodes. how do i go about buying it. and then once i buy it, what else do i need? speakers? amps? pedals? what do you need to enjoy it. i need to know EVERYTHING.

i know NOTHING about music, but i'd dearly love to play with one of these.

:wink:

[dnarkosis]

http://www.fenderrhodes.com/cgi-bin/faq

All three pages.

[mindmuzack]

I don't know if that question was really answered.  I didn't see a buyer's guy anywhere on that FAQ.  Does anyone have any tips on what to look for when buying a Mark I 88 key 75-79?  Are there any signs that scream don't buy me? Thanks for all your help.

God bless,
Zach

[realbiscuit]

I got mine on E-bay, but I purchased it with "pick up" because I didn't want to ship it.  Proper shipping can be very expensive and it is usually suggested (250 - 300)  Some reputable dealers will sell a stage 73 and nicely teched for 3000.00  Most will agree that is a lot.  It just depends on how willing you are to do your own repairs.  Remember, it is an old instrument and some parts can be hard to find, but I find they are available.  Many parts are easy to find, and repair manual is available.  With these sites, yahoo, and my favorite The Musicians Forum which host "Rhodes Warriors" I find a lot of serious and helpful Rhodes users.  My investment has grown, and I think that is the nature of this instrument.  Sounds like you love the Rhodes.  Me too, and that is just enough.  You may need amps, pre-amps - want pedals, new parts, or professional teching.  Anyway you look at it I feel that when one buys a Rhodes, one makes a decision to start a bond (a relationship) with it.  That requires sacrifice and most of the time in the wallet.  For me  - worth it.  For whatever it is worth........
Good Luck

[j_tour]

Read realbiscuit's post.  Well said.  I think it depends on your personality -- you can do a lot of work yourself on a beater Rhodes, and in the process learn quite a bit and spend some short $ acquiring parts, etc., or buy from a tech you trust at a price you consider fair.  Read most of the archives from the Rhodes list at Yahoo to get a sense of who you'd like to trust among the "name" techs/companies, so you'll have some idea of what buying from a branded tech entails or possibly doesn't entail.