My Rhodes Stage 88 Mark I Electric Piano
THIS ITEM IS SOLD!
I will provide some info about this great Rhodes 88 Electric Piano here on this page. I bought this in 1999 from a guy in Cincinnatti, OH. I wanted to learn how to play and I thought the perfect way was to get the coolest piano I knew of! Well, that didn't work out as well as I'd hoped (the learning part) as I still suck, but the piano has given me and my son endless amounts of joy, and sounds great. I really hope this goes to someone who can do it more justice than I was able to!
This is a
Rhodes 88 Mark I Piano, and was manufactured somtime between 1975 - 1979 before the introduction of the
Mark II in 1979. Here is a link with a bunch of great information about this piano, and Rhodes in general:
http://www.fenderrhodes.com/models/mark1b.php∞ (though the pics on this page, aren't of the standard Stage 88)
It is all there; not missing any pieces. The case is a bit scuffed up from years of gigging with previous owners, I presume. I doubt that I have added to it's scuffs much in the last seven years! Inside it's in pretty good shape. The inner top shell is in better shape than the outer case, showing only minor scuffs.
The volume and bass control knobs are fairly clean, though could use some pot cleaner to smooth them out a bit as they have been getting a bit scratchy this year. I have spent time on and off making sure to keep the pickups in line, but I think a few of the tines are getting a bit out of tune. I am sure that someone with a bit more patience than me could get her tuned up in no time. OK well not in
no time... there are 88 frickin' keys to go through. I'm not sure how good Rhodes technicians do it. Man that is some tedious sh*t.
I'm not a musician enough to describe the sound to you though. I know it is not as bright and fluffy as those used by Chick Corea or Herbie Hancock back in the day, but I think it sounds pretty good. I think it sounds a bit edgier, myself, but take that with a grain of salt, as I'm a music theory
noob. The keys seem pretty well balanced, too, with no apparent modifications done to alter the factory weighting or hammers.
As I mention later in the images, the pedal and legs are all included. I bought those separately from the original piano purchase, thereby completing this set.
Best of luck to all the ebay bidders out there. I'm sure you won't be disappointed with this great piano.
Check out the pics I have of it:
Good lookin little piano here
Closeup of the serial number and all - kindof hard to read: Serial# reads 51140, Model: Stage 88
The next two are top-down shots showing the clean innerds. Nothing missing, of course, and all the wiring and solders are clean. The plastic shielding on a few of the pickups has a tendency to peel off from the coils here and there. I have tried my best to keep them on there, but didn't want to damage the pickups, so there is some peeling going on, but it doesn't harm the sound at all.
Further closeup - the felts are pretty good. I shot this pic to show the odd felt that squeezes between the tines. It's a neverending battle with a Rhodes, keeping those felts all square.
The keys are very clean
The footpedal was bought separately from the original purchase, and did not come with this piano. The original came without the pedals or legs, and I bought those separately on ebay. I like to think that they were the originals that were reunited with their long lost mate, but ... um... OK thats just silly. But they work well... the pedal being a bit scuffed, but very workable. Kindof a gimpy setup anyway, really.
One of the rear legs has been welded, so I am sure to include a shot of that... seems very strong, and has never has a problem as I've set it up and torn it down. (and as you know, a Rhodes 88 is
heavy!!)
The box top is solid, and comes with the original vinyl leg/pedal holder. The box top is fairly clean but has a dent in it which can clearly be seen from both the inside and outside. It doesn't affect the strength of the box at all, rather, is just a blemish.
The Top
The Dent (Inside View)
The Dent (Outside Top View)
The top fits snugly, though one of the clips is broken off.
Top Raised
Top Lowered
Broken Clip - I imagine you could find the clip piece that is broken off to replace it, I'm just not sure where! Luckily it is the back right clip, so it doesn't affect how strongly the lid is held on, as it is right next to the rear hinge that is holding it on tightly.
That's it! I'll toss in a couple more odd pictures here and leave you in peace! If you are seeing this from ebay, I hope you learned enough about this piece to feel confident you are making an informed decision! -Cheers and all that...
I mean, man... just look at this guy! Look how happy he is! This... could, um... be... you... uhh. Yeah.
[end]
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