A couple of questions regarding Rhodes history...

[JanustheManus]

When the Fender Rhodes Mark I series is described, the dates are referred to as 1969-1974. But I've never seen a black top 1969 Rhodes Suitcase. Do Black tops go back this far and if so does anyone have any photos of a 1969 Mark I Suitcase?
Also what was the first year that the Super Satellite mod first came around? 1970 because the first stage models were available then?

Thank you for whatever information you might have!

[pianotuner steveo]

I'm not an expert on the dates, but am 90% sure they were only sparkle tops in 1969.

Don't forget that the piano bass came out in 1959, a full 10 years earlier, and I think some full sized pianos go back as far as 1965 (?) I'm sure the experts will know. I know more about Wurlitzers' history

[pnoboy]

I'm not sure about this, but didn't the Mark IIs come out in '79?

[JanustheManus]

Mark II s definitely came out in 1979. 1979-1982/3 I believe?

[sean]

Well, we could trust the models listing on the Rhodes SuperSite. 
I have a 1983 Mark II Suitcase top (with plastic keys) dated 4082/0933 that stretches the Mark II into March of 1983. 

Freddan's history is nice:  http://www.fenderrhodes.com/history/narrative.html

There is a timeline of sorts, my favorite entry is from 1989:
http://www.fenderrhodes.com/history/timeline.html


Bjammerz Ben - Didn't at one time you post a summary timeline based on your Production Survey results?  I can't find it.

Sean

[Ben Bove]

The very end of 1969 in regards to date stamps is when the first black lid pianos came out.  I'm sure they were intended to hit the showroom floor by 1970, but physically the harps were produced in 69.  Here's an example, though the photo links are broken you can click on the album link.

http://ep-forum.com/smf/index.php?topic=8758.msg47080#msg47080

The super satellite system did not come out initially in 1970 in tandem with the stage model.  I believe it was developed later as an amp system add-on.  Could've been around 1972/1973-ish as a wild guess.

I can confirm that yes the Mark II date stamps begin in 1979... probably a similar pattern to have them hit the showroom floor by 1980 but production began before that.

[JanustheManus]

I have read information from the supersite before, but not Freddan's (and his entries are very interesting!) And thank you Mr. Bove for the album! I guess as a new decade rolled around, a new piano showed up as well.