Tonal difference between the 3-1/4 in pickup vs 3 in pickup

[DynoCzarus Rex]

So what exactly is the difference between a 3-1/4 in pickup vs 3 in pickup in terms of tone? All I know is that the 3-1/4 in pickups were used on the earlier Fender badge Rhodes.

[The Real MC]

I don't know if anyone has ever done any comparison.

I can tell you that the pickups on my '76 were a lot duller than the ones on my '67 sparkletop, and both comparisons made directly off the harp (no impact from preamp or passive stage circuitry).  I'm of the opinion that pickups contribute to the tone as much as escapement, strike point, tines, resonators, and hammer tips.  My 1st rhodes was a '72 with good tone too - but I sold it in 1983 because of the spongy action.

[DynoCzarus Rex]

Ok,so I did figure out that the 3 1/4 in pickups were used from 1970-1973;although, I'd have to say my '78  73 key suitcase model does sound brighter than my '73 88 key stage model when it's plugged straight into an amp from the harp output. I do think tines have a lot to do with the sound but I think whether or not the Rhodes is a 73 key or an 88 key model is a tonal factor too.

[pnoboy]

I believe the length difference in the pickups is only related to the blade length, and not the coil and magnet.  Of course, it may be that length and coil and/or magnet configurations changed simultaneously, but it would be the latter and not the former that had the potential to affect tone.

[rhodesjuzz]

Ok,so I did figure out that the 3 1/4 in pickups were used from 1970-1973;although, I'd have to say my '78  73 key suitcase model does sound brighter than my '73 88 key stage model when it's plugged straight into an amp from the harp output. I do think tines have a lot to do with the sound but I think whether or not the Rhodes is a 73 key or an 88 key model is a tonal factor too.

Please, take a look at http://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?topic=9086.msg49254#msg49254 in which Ben Bove explained about the difference between 73 and 88 keys. It might have something to do with wiring between the pickups.

--Roy

[Ben Bove]

I haven't done any comparisons myself either, swapping out pickups rails on a piano to A-B test.

I believe the magnets were reduced in size because the strength of the magnet was negatively affecting the tuning of the low register of the piano - being the tines are metal, I've noticed on earlier pianos the ability of the low notes to rise dramatically in pitch from this era.  It would technically have an affect on sustain as well.

Off the top of my head, an early piano with the rocketing low pitch is at 13:01 in this clip of Herbie's Sleeping Giant
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smWzj-SXe9M

[DynoCzarus Rex]

I used to listen to the Mwandishi Herbie era stuff quite bit and actually have an original LP of "Sextant." Almost sounds like his Rhodes has the felt hammer tips in the "Sleeping Giant" clip. I think this was during the same era when Harold Rhodes came to see one of the Mwandishi shows only to find that Herbie had taken the top off his Rhodes. It was then that Herbie along with several other Rhodes players told him an effects loop was needed for fuzz-wahs, echoplexes, phasers, etc. instead of plugging directly into the RCA jack on the harp.   

[rhodesjuzz]

Ben, Gwike, very good and interesting information
Now that I've heard this, it comes to my mind I've always kind of noticed the difference between 73 and 88 keys without really thinking about it.

Something tells me I'm on the hunt for a 88 key Rhodes now. Anyone know a Suitcase with 88 keys from 75 or 76 for sale 
It's funny to see suitcase 88 key pianos on ebay are mostly mark2's.

--Roy

[The Real MC]

I believe the magnets were reduced in size because the strength of the magnet was negatively affecting the tuning of the low register of the piano - being the tines are metal, I've noticed on earlier pianos the ability of the low notes to rise dramatically in pitch from this era.

Yeah I noticed that on my sparkletop too.

[pnoboy]

According to Harold Rhodes, with the 1" magnet, when the pickups were placed close enough to the tines to produce a dynamic sound, the pitch of the low notes would get higher as the sound decayed.  Rhodes hated this effect, and so, the magnets were changed to 1/2" length.  It was a very worthwhile change IMO, because I think that the tonal palette of the instrument is really improved with close pickup spacing.