prize for serving fender rhodes mark 1 73

[climax]

Hi! I play a mark 1 73, and it´s starting to sound pretty bad, so I was wondering if anyone might know how much it would cost me to have someone looking over it??
Or maybe there are adjustments that I can do myself?

PS: I´m NOT very technically talented

Thanks in advance /Max

[snowtires]

i'm in the same boat as you: i need my rhodes to be serviced and the thought of taking it apart myself gives me nightmares.  BUT, the cost of repair by a licensed rhodes repair place is almost always more than people have paid for the rhodes itself.  

i emailed speakeasy (in pennsylvania) about repairs, and their estimate was '$400-$1000.'  f that.  i paid $650 for my rhodes, i'm not about to pay almost double that for repairs.  

the fenderrhodes.org site has a link to the repair manual.  if you want to not spend an arm and a leg, i'd say go there.  i think you can pretty much repair and replace everything important by yourself for under $100 if you know where to look.

[j_tour]

Thumbs up to getting the service manual.  I really, really hate working on my Rhodes -- I don't have the patience to get it completely right, but if you can muster the patience and maybe enlist the aid of a friend for moral support, you should be able to do pretty much everything yourself.

If you join the Yahoo group Rhodes or Rhodes-tech (I think it's kosher to mention the latter in public), you'll get a lot of help just by reading the archives.  You'll also get some idea of what things you should do first -- like resetting the strikeline -- before ending up having to redo a bunch of fiddly stuff.

[tnelson]

I agree that the best place to start is to read the service manual to learn how the piano works, what can be adjusted, and what parts can be replaced. However, it will take a considerable dedication of time and learning curve for you to get your Rhodes in the playing shape that an experienced tech could do for you. If you consider that it costs $50-$100 to have an acoustic piano tuned by a good tech, a job taking about an hour, a few hundred dollars to restore a beat-up Rhodes to excellent shape isn't really much. Check out the cost of replacement parts--hammer tips, felts, grommets, etc.---add many hours of skilled work.  How much have you already spent on that synthesizer or software that perhaps got you hooked on the Rhodes sound in the first place? Just  keep things in perspective. You can get an old Rhodes cheap, but you need some investment to make it a great playing and sounding piano. Even when they were new back in the 70's, the pro musicians would usually factor in the cost of having a tech "finish" the Rhodes, because they came out of the factory pretty raw and in need of adjustment. You may find a "cheap" tech who claims he can do this for you, but there are few real Rhodes experts out there now, and the good ones are worth what they charge. The repair guy at your local Guitar Center isn't going to have a clue. Before you decide to do it all yourself, you need to ask yourself what your own time is worth and whether you'd rather spend the hours playing the piano or working on it.

[CherryFive]

i'm in the same boat as you: i need my rhodes to be serviced and the thought of taking it apart myself gives me nightmares.  BUT, the cost of repair by a licensed rhodes repair place is almost always more than people have paid for the rhodes itself.  

i emailed speakeasy (in pennsylvania) about repairs, and their estimate was '$400-$1000.'  f that.  i paid $650 for my rhodes, i'm not about to pay almost double that for repairs.

Hmm.. I think that the value is really in how well your Rhodes is. I personally think the tech work is more valuable than the Rhodes itself usually. There have been many instances where cheapo Rhodes patches would've done a better job at behaving like a Rhodes than a REAL Rhodes itself! The mistake was paying 650 for a Rhodes in need of service. $250 seems to be the price for the average "used and abused" rhodes.

[snowtires]

Hmm.. I think that the value is really in how well your Rhodes is. I personally think the tech work is more valuable than the Rhodes itself usually. There have been many instances where cheapo Rhodes patches would've done a better job at behaving like a Rhodes than a REAL Rhodes itself! The mistake was paying 650 for a Rhodes in need of service. $250 seems to be the price for the average "used and abused" rhodes.

my rhodes is in perfect condition except for needing the action tuned up a little bit.  even so, the best estimate they gave me was $400-$1000.  

good luck finding someone who's going to sell you a rhodes for $250, unless it's missing half of its keys.  

keep in mind that some of us aren't made out of money and we can't just toss $1000 bucks to some tech to do something that, if we put forth a little effort, we could do ourselves for about 1/10th of the price.

i've never heard a rhodes patch sound like a rhodes.  ever.  even the nord electro doesn't have it right.  maybe they got it sounding good on a computer, but i'm not bringing a computer with me to play gigs; i've tried that before, for drum machine parts and sequencing, and computers just aren't reliable.

[tnelson]

I think Speakeasy does a lot more than adjust the action for the quote you got. My recollection is that their minimal job includes parts replacements, escapement, intonation, pickup placement, damper adjustment, strike line, tuning, key leveling and all that. Perhaps you can do it for a tenth the amount if your time is unlimited and free, as long as you don't need more than $40-100 worth of parts. You need to acquire the skills to do it right, though. You can only get so much from reading posts and manuals. I'd be suspicious of techs who offer to do a very limited job on the action, because all of these adjustments are interconnected on the Rhodes. It takes hours even for a very skilled tech to get it all just right. This may be beyond a particular individual's budget, but that doesn't make it a rip-off.

[hrees]

If your rhodes is in good shape it can be adjusted to sound good very cheaply, especially if it is a post 1975 model.

The essentials are tine/pickup voicing, tuning, key pedestal lubrication and replacment of wood core tips. If done well these will give you a dramatic improvement. Other factors such as escapement adjustment, regrommeting, damper adjustment will probably come into play in the basic setup.

I'm not saying the Speakeasy price is not good value. From what I've heard their work is to a high standard and you will get more than what I've listed (look on their website) which equates to many hours' work.

[CherryFive]

my rhodes is in perfect condition except for needing the action tuned up a little bit.  even so, the best estimate they gave me was $400-$1000.

What year is it anyway? If your saying all you need is an action adjustment, then you can do it yourself. But I would really have to play it to see how perfect of condition it is. Actually do you have any sound samples? Im just curious anyway.    

good luck finding someone who's going to sell you a rhodes for $250, unless it's missing half of its keys.

Well...you'd be surprised. Thats how much I paid for a complete 1976, and I also paid a little more for a 1977 (which wasnt exactly complete). You have to know the "art of the deal". These people weren't asking 250-315, they were talked down to $250-315. They usually dont know s**t. They often feel embarrased when i say "jeez, this thing needs a lot of work to brought up to factory spec"      

keep in mind that some of us aren't made out of money and we can't just toss $1000 bucks to some tech to do something that, if we put forth a little effort, we could do ourselves for about 1/10th of the price.

i've never heard a rhodes patch sound like a rhodes.  ever.  even the nord electro doesn't have it right.  maybe they got it sounding good on a computer, but i'm not bringing a computer with me to play gigs; i've tried that before, for drum machine parts and sequencing, and computers just aren't reliable.

I think all rhodes patches sound like garbage, but Ill take volume and dynamic eveness and playability over a trashed rhodes that needs hours of adjusting. Also, I wish I were rich! Ive actually never taken any rhodes to a tech. I do all my own work, but after working on a few pianos, I can truly value a techs small price to pay. Rhodes aren't easy in my opinion. Strike like is always fucked up, tines never line up with hammer tips- there are just too many variables involved. Id say 400-1000 isn't much money at all. You could probably save a couple hundred in a period of 4 months no?

best

[snowtires]

this forum is ridiculous.

not two months ago, i asked almost the exact same question ('is there any way to get a rhodes repaired without it costing an arm and a leg') and everyone who replied told me to fix it myself.  after thinking about what my rhodes needed, fixing it myself seemed like a reasonably cheap and relatively painless thing to do.

but now, a couple weeks later, you aren't supposed to fix it yourself because the rhodes manual can only do so much; you're supposed to pay the thousand dollars and have a tech repair your keyboard for you.

make up your minds, which is it?

[tnelson]

You asked a different question. If you want cheap, your only alternative is to do it yourself. The result will depend on your skills and patience. You will pay with your time. The messages posted above just say that if you want someone skilled and experienced to do it, don't complain that their experience and skills cost something significant.

[CherryFive]

this forum is ridiculous.

not two months ago, i asked almost the exact same question ('is there any way to get a rhodes repaired without it costing an arm and a leg') and everyone who replied told me to fix it myself.  after thinking about what my rhodes needed, fixing it myself seemed like a reasonably cheap and relatively painless thing to do.

By all means fix

[realbiscuit]

Just speaking for myself, a newby to Rhodes ownership and maintenance, I love even the dreaded Rhodes issues.  I paid hefty for my Rhodes 1973, and realized it needed more.  What do I do?  Weigh the pros and cons.  I can't afford the 500 - 1000 for repairs, and don't forget parts. (not including shipping which is an issue)  I got down to brass tactics and decided to do it myself.  Is the Rhodes complicated and a bit intimidatting?  Of course.  Was it designed with the intention of owner repairs?  I think so.  Either way we are lucky to have these forums.  I think it is all there.  Techs have their secrets earned from practice.  That can be worth paying for.
All this aside, let us remember what it's all about.  The amazing and wonderful sound these unusual critters produce.  Their stamp on music in general.....rhodes patches, VST rhodes this, rhodes that.  The sound of a well maintained Rhodes still rules.  No one argues that.  They are worth it.  How many electric instruments keep humping 30 years out.  And in music we go to the lengths to capture a sound...allusive at times, but like music itself it is only found with hard work, practice, love, desire and sometimes with the fear of 'never gonna get it'.  Referring to the latter ask yourself if you belong to this family.
If your crying about your bandaided Rhodes... s**t or get off the pot.   :!:  :wink:  :wink:  :!:

[snowtires]

If your crying about your bandaided Rhodes... s**t or get off the pot.   :!:  :wink:  :wink:  :!:

now now, let's not revert to internet forum tough guy mode.  i wouldn't have posted anything if i hadn't been treated like i had two heads when i said i was looking for a cheap repair shop.  the people who responded to me might as well have said, 'if you pay to repair a rhodes, you're stupid.'  so seeing people say, 'you can only repair so much, techs are the way to go,' made me a little frustrated.

[realbiscuit]

Understandable what your say.  With your further comment I can appreciate your view.  Good luck with your Rhodes.

[ian]

I used to be too scared to take the lid off my rhodes years ago...so everytime a pick-up went, or it needed tuning I used to lugg the bugger to a tech in my car on a 90 mile round trip...until the tech himself just told me that the majority of these jobs are extremely easy to fix. My advice is to say bollocks to it...get your hands dirty and learn to service the Rhodes yourself. If you plan on a having your Rhodes for the a long time its well worth the effort to know how it works...

[Rendall]

bollocks to it...get your hands dirty and learn to service the Rhodes yourself

Well said

[piano ma'am]

Some GREAT posts here!!

(fun to read too!!)

[tyler]

Hey everyone.  I haven't posted for a long time, and am happy to see such a great conversation going down.  I'd like to add a little something.  Changing tines, pickups, and making simple tonal adjustments to a few notes is something each of us should know how to do.  I've been doing the simple maintenence for years, and even re-wrapped some pickups.  I have made some BIG mistakes too.  I have an 88 that sounded and felt pretty good.  I decided I could make it sound better.  After 12 or 13 hours of following my nose, it sounded like hell.  I killed it !! That was 6 years ago.  I think a little help would be great!!.  If I can find a guy to make that piano sing again, inspire me to play it, It'd be well worth some cash.  Maybe I'd learn a bit on the way too??
Lucky for me I've got a 73 that still sounds great.

[realbiscuit]

Tyler,
Curious what you mean by "killed it".  That sounds pretty serious.  Could you elaborate?  Thx.
:?:

[andi85]

i try to do the same, too.
i´ve got a rhodes 73 in decent condition, nothing is really defect or missing, but it is still not really perfect.
i´ve found a technician, who would do adjustment, tuning and some small spare parts for 100€. by the way he can show me some tricks - i find that a great offer.

[tyler]

OK- killed is maybe a little bit strong. I was just trying to adjust the pich-ups on a few keys, and then i pulled out a screwdriver and started adjusting the tone bar and tine orientation- trying to get a little more sustain on a few notes- you know.  Really that's all i was trying to do!! Before long i decided to keep going.  That was the mistake.  I had the sevice manual in hand and a tape measure.  I figured why not learn how to do this right now!!  The intonation and sustain died on that black day. I moved nearly every pick-up.  The rhodes is fine, but I don't play it anymore.  It just sits there looking pretty.  Like I said- it'd be worth some $$ to make it sing again.  I just don't know how to do everything.  Tyler

[realbiscuit]

Thanks for elaborating.  That really doesn't sound too bad at all.  I'm sure you will get it up and running.  I tread slowly while repairing and find it so important to document the before, during, and after.  That way it is easier for me to troubleshoot.  Good luck!

[andi85]

OK- killed is maybe a little bit strong. I was just trying to adjust the pich-ups on a few keys, and then i pulled out a screwdriver and started adjusting the tone bar and tine orientation- trying to get a little more sustain on a few notes- you know.  Really that's all i was trying to do!! Before long i decided to keep going.  That was the mistake.  I had the sevice manual in hand and a tape measure.  I figured why not learn how to do this right now!!  The intonation and sustain died on that black day. I moved nearly every pick-up.  The rhodes is fine, but I don't play it anymore.  It just sits there looking pretty.  Like I said- it'd be worth some $$ to make it sing again.  I just don't know how to do everything.  Tyler

hey, just look for somebody who can do those things for you. i´m sure it will be worth the money and will re-inforce your friendship with the rhodes.

[tyler]

Thanks for the replies guys!!- I've got a line on a guy who sets 'em up.  I'll try him, and let y'all know the results.  Peace--tyler