last-gasp Mark I vs. early Mk II: what are the differences?

[gilded]

I'm looking for another suitcase '73. A guy in my town has an early Mk II with wooden keys. Another guy '70 miles away has a Mark I with a black grill-cloth on the amp. Assuming the the late model was made after the 'pedestal bump' was introduced in mid- '78, what are the differences between the two Rhodes? Cosmetic only, or is there more to it. Thanks!

[Ben Bove]

The only difference really is the white-tape pickups on the Rhodes Mark II.  If the piano has evidence of substantial corrosion (some is no big deal), the white-tape pickups can fail in great numbers.

Otherwise as far as tone, parts etc. - a mid 78 through 1981 wood-key Mark II really only has cosmetic differences.  They're basically the same piano.

[goldphinga]

I've also seen Mk2's with red pickups and slightly different front faceplate writing, from '79.

[gilded]

Thanks for the info, gents.

[Ben Bove]

Yes goldphinga you're correct - those 1979 Mark II darker red pickups however are the same bad white-tape pickup version (i.e. if you take the clear or white tape off the pickups, they're the same pickups 79-84).  I believe it's anything with the harp code TBJ-017249 for 73s or TBJ-017250 for 88s.  I had a '79 Mark II with clear tape over those dark red pickups, and the piano had the same corroded contacts on about 10 pickups.  Also correct - they had different writing and no white border on the faceplate