Should mention the history of the Rhodes: it was to get pianos into poor urban schools and other public institutions (e.g. the YMCA, etc.) to teach music to more people. The Rhodes was much less expensive to manufacture than a full upright piano. Rock, jazz, and funk discovered it in the 1960's and gave it a completely different purpose!
That's incorrect. The rhodes was made by a stationed marine, and he built what was at that time a transportable toy piano, to teach other marines... in the process, they exposed over 250k people to music. The marine was positioned as director of music in the marines, specifically to teach other marines. His toy piano ended up in a lot of schools, yes. But it wasn't the fender rhodes, it was a toy piano. He went on to develop the fender rhodes a few years after this. I literally just watched the story of the fender rhodes last night lol, I recommend watching it for the full story on the rhodes. You were close, but no cigar. It's misinformation at that rate.
@@tjblackmore7863 you need to watch "the story of the rhodes". The marine who developed the first transportable toy piano (possibly electric, I cant remember) ended up designing the fender rhodes later on. And I believe this was the first guy to ever develop any type of portable electric piano, which is why this was a big deal. His toy piano invention prior to the rhodes, he made while stationed in the marines and he developed it out of scratch metal. He was a genius
I had a Rhodes Stage model and ordered the suitcase stereo tremolo pre-amp which came with the whole front aluminum face board and installed it. I also ran a chorus with it which adds a lot to the sound. I ran it stereo through a mixer, 200W amp and EV PI-15-3 (15" 3 way) speakers. The difference in sound on any Rhodes comes from how you tune the tines with respect to the pick-ups. There are springed screws that move the tine and tone bar up or down and you could get a beautiful bell tone or a real funky wank tone depending on what you wanted, or somewhere in between. I think this is why Stevie Wonder had like 13 of them. He also tuned them to different keys. The two Rhodes you are playing probably have the tines adjusted slightly differently. You are also playing them through different sound systems. The suitcase just has 2, 12” speakers. I had keyboard players wanting to borrow or rent my Rhodes rig all the time.
James, this is one of the MOST COMPREHENSIVE instructional video I have seen. You are truly the consummate historian on The Rhodes, and I learned a lot. I will have to reopen my 73 suitcase and check the build date and see if it ever had a Miracle Mod done to it. Thank you for this enlightening information!
So glad to have another 1973 suitcase owner drop by my channel, if you need any action work done to your Fender Rhodes I can let you know who did the work to mine.
I’ve got a 79 stage 73 mk1 rhodes with the full plastic hammers. The thing plays better than any other rhodes I’ve ever heard, but it lacks a certain percussiveness. If you want to play it and are ever in Ohio maybe we could jam out, I’ve got a Hammond CV/Leslie 145 too, would be a fun time geekin out about keys :)
Overall, the Fender Rhodes gets my vote, although the simpler, more focused tone of the Rhodes has its own charm, and worked well for the Bach pieces, I thought. Fascinating video. Thanks so much.
Although they share several similarities, it is noted that they sound different, the fender rhodes sounds more focused on the mids, while the Rhodes is more scoop in the EQ and make more "bell type" sound. With any of the 2 instruments one will not be wrong, it all depends on the taste of each one and what you are looking for. Great video by the way, keep doing this great comparisons. Cheers.
I have always said that modern electronic keyboards emulate the Rhodes very well, until you hear the real thing! I don't care what anyone says you cannot emulate exactly the mechanical sound of hammers hitting metal tangs electronically. Same with a Hammond through a Leslie cabinet - a mechanical sound of spinning speakers. Again, done very well with electronics, until you hear the real thing. Hammonds and Rhodes pianos are both iconic instruments that will never be replaced with anything as good.
Actually the emulations are fine, both sampled and modelled. Closer to the mark than acoustic pianos, you can't tell in band settings or recordings. But I still regret selling my rhodes 20 years ago and will buy one at some point, because playing it was so cool and straightfoward.
I am a jazz drummer but with big interest in amplification. I also have a technics px100 piano. I worked or many years in the U.K. With a great keyboard player who often surrounded himself with many keyboard instruments rather like Joe Zawinul in weather report. He used a Rhodes stage and extracted many different different sounds from it. The technique was to constantly change the Rhodes output volume and the H&H amplifier. Overdriving the amp and using more physical power and then turn down the Rhodes and the H&H amp up to produce softer sounds . He could make a Rhodes growl.
I took lessons from Mr. Rhodes at the Fender Factory in Fullerton in 1970, at the time they only has suitcase pianos there, I believe I saw a prototype stage there in 1971. the I bought my first stage 73 in 1977. It was the higher quality still.
@@TimToussaint Oh dude, nope. You can even look up for the following video: RAY MANZAREK - RIDERS ON THE STORM. (it´s all in caps). He tells the full song story and confirms that it is a Fender Rhodes in the song
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Wow I didn't know David Spade was a superb musician too. Just kidding. I loved and enjoyed your break down of these iconic beautiful instruments. That sound!!!!!! Just sublime. Thank you so much!!!!
Wow! The stuff you have access to is just amazing! The Rhodes was, and is, a beautiful instrument. My only suggestion is I wish we could have heard something with more of a rock feel. I thought the suitcase model excelled at sounding pretty, but I heard some crunchy distortion starting to come through the stage sound, which probably would have sounded awesome if you were really pounding the keys. Anyway, great review of these keyboards.
Listening to them played side-by-side in my opinion (and this is just my opinion) I prefer the sound of the suitcase model. This was a great video, JPS. 🎹💖👍
A lot of people are confused between these two models. I had a chance to purchase the stage a year ago, but was looking for the right suitcase. I picked it up so I could take the time to find the exact suitcase I wanted.
Very cool, thanks for taking the time to show us these things. I listen to a lot of 1960s and 1970s music, and I distinguish between an earlier and a later rhodes, the latter which seems to replace the earlier one from the mid-1970s onwards. The earlier being a little lower and more natural-sounding (which I prefer), and the later one sounding higher and more plasticky (fittingly, as the (dreaded) 1980s approach). I'll link two examples when I find ones.
I always pictured Richard Carpenter playing a Rhodes, until recently when I saw a special on the Carpenters and saw to my surprise that he was playing a Wurlitzer electric piano on their songs!
Classic electric pianos, I love them both. Its nice to learn about the actually instruments that my digital RoM /sample player keyboards try to emulate.
I am going to be doing a comparison of top end stage pianos, and one video will deal with the Fender Rhodes Suitcase comparing it to those stage pianos trying to emulate the Fender Rhodes sound.
Just a note, but you need to be an ol' fart electronics tech to know this: The plug you show at 18:25 is actually a standardized plug of the time. The socket on this unit is more typically used for a single pole / single throw plug-in relay. The plug is from a whole series of plugs made to fit various configuration relay sockets making the pair usable in all kinds of applications. It seems proprietary because it's twice obsolete, replaced (around the 1970s by the 5/8" and 1/2" radial pin plug and socket you show around 8:15, which was eventually replace in the 80s and 90s by the 3/8" and 1/4". When I say replaced I mean in all of electronics, not just this instrument. Also: Since you supplied your own amplifier for the stage model, most amps had their own vibrato control. The difference (I think) is the Fender's vibrato was actually a "ping-pong" effect between the left and right speaker while an instrument amp's vibrato was simply a "vibrating" or oscillating volume for a single speaker.
Wow, the Rhodes plaque is crooked on the Rhodes stage piano. I had a Fender Rhodes suitcase. I bought it based off I think Herbie Hancock's demonstration of the vibrato. I liked that effect. I used to lug this thing around, this was considered a portable piano in the 1970s. But I did notice that the Wurlitzers were lighter and had I thought closer to a piano sound. The Fender Rhodes played well, the action was close to an acoustic in some ways. I also liked that, unlike digital pianos, they made a sound when they were turned off, and you can hear it better in the higher keys because it used tines and not digital samples or models. The input jack was definitely proprietary on both ends of it from the speaker to the piano. Overall, it's an iconic instrument and still sampled on keyboards today. Definitely preferred the Suitcase to the Stage. The Stage seemed more muddled and flatter. Your test piece is better on acoustics. But some music is better on Rhodes, like fusion jazz and such.
The input socket on the suitcase model looks like a DIN socket. It was probably added so a performer could add a tape recorder that would play through the instrument's speakers.
I’ve been lucky enough to have owned both...(don’t have ‘em anymore) I prefer the richer sound of the Stage Rhodes...although the action hurt my fingers... Also, the guys in the band would avoid helping me get it out of the van, so it spent lots of time there while I played the Poly-6... I know...not cool... mVm
The 1973 Fender Rhodes seems to have a more glassy attack, where the 1975 Rhodes has a more Mirimba attack. The tremolo really makes it but you can use a tremolo pedal and two amps on the 1975 Rhodes for a simlar sound. A slight amount compressive distortion may add some high end harmonics to the Rhodes. Both are beautiful instruments. I can get similar sounds on my Yamaha DX7. I think the 1975 Rhodes is well suited to Jazz, the 1973 Fender Rhodes was more suited to Rock... hence the importance of Rhodes pianos in Rock/Jazz fusion.
In my younger days I was totally into that super-bright and cutting Dyno-My-Rhodes sound. However, these days I prefer the warmer sound of the late 60s-early 70s Suitcase Rhodes. Go figure...
James, The 75 Rhodes sound is clearer , the sound has more focus and I think it would be more complementary to the vocals and other instrument in "Riders On The Storm". The Fender is more complex and really powerful, but I still like the Rhodes better, for this piece. The Rhodes is more piano like on the last Bach piece in the right hand ,but the bass, tend to be a bit muddy. The Fender sounds almost organ like, that's the vibrato ,but a lower volume would complement the Last Bach better. Great Demo, lots of fun to listen to. Cheers, Rik Spector
Hey there, I enjoyed your video. I have a home studio that we have set up with EVERYTHING> Including, a 1973 Rhodes , Baby Grand and other synths. Along with dozens of guitars basses and percussion. I fired up the Rhodes and a couple of keys are a bit quiet compared to others. All in all it is in very good condition. It spent most of its life in a studio. Nothing like that tone though. I like seeing you younger dudes out there getting your hands dirty figuring out how it all works.
Damn, if more people took time to share the history of music on youtube like you do, I'd have a PhD in no time. Thanks for your knowledge and time. Thanks for sharing your implicit sensibilities as well. I feel you lean toward the Fender Rhodes as opposed to the Rhodes, but my intuition might be wrong?
I have a '74 Mk 1 Fender Rhodes 88, only today I gave it a bit of a service & tune. It doesn't have the Miracle Mod but I lifted the harp & lubricated the hammer felts & key pegs with silicon spray, the keys are a lot lighter now. I plan on repeating this each year, cheaper than ordering the mod kit & paying for freight & conversion to the Australian Dollar.
To be honest, I like the Rhodes a little more; I suppose I like the mellower nature of it over the treble-boosted Fender Rhodes. Plus the fact that it's not as desirable as the Fender Rhodes gives me hope that I could own one if I wanted. Too bad I'm broke and only saw this video 2 years too late. :P
Keyscape brought me here, lol, as a producer sometimes I actually want to know more about the sounds I'm using...if I randomly pull up the "Irish Bouzouki" sound in Logic and it fits into the dope Afro-pop beat I'm creating that's all that really matters, but in my spare time after mixing I might wonder what one really is....
I have a 38 74 Rhodes Stage Mk I, so I'd guess it was transitional actually. The inside is badged Rhodes, most all other marks are Rhodes as well, but the back has a Fender Rhodes and I have Fender knobs as well. Also in the Bay Area.
It's not true that after Rhodes 1975 keys were plastic. Keys got plastic in mid '80s. Rhodes Mark II has wooden keys, and it was made by the end of 1979 and till 1981.
I enjoyed learning more about my seventy-three But I’m seriously confused, I have the logo of the Rhodes and what looks like a 75 imprint on the wood upper right hand corner, but I have the vibratos knobs and the speaker cab underneath. Almost like they built it after with parts from 73?
I used to own Fender-Rhodes piano with the amp (manufactured before the “suitcase” name was applied). I was probably the third owner. In the hands of its previous owner, the vinyl covering was coming off the back, and the tremolo circuit was shot. What’s more, the fuse blew less than a year after I got it (probably due to humidity at the height of summer). After I turned loose of that piano to a buyer who thought he could repair it, I had the option of acquiring a Rhodes Stage 88 Mark II. I sincerely wish I’d gone through with it. I could do without EQ and vibrato and always use external effects. The portable nature of the Stage models has always seemed more appealing. Especially when you think about how you can use a standard patch cable to send it out to your amplification system of choice. Not the same with the suitcase model, which required the special patch cable. What became of the Stage model’s sustain pedal?
Have you got the Wurlitzer 100 and 200A pianos? Love to hear a demonstration of the big tube amplifier that the 100 rested on vs. the solid-state amp built into the 200A.
I'm gonna bring up an obscure psychedelic number. The Beacon Street Union in 1967, it sounds, used the Fender Rhodes to great effect in their song "Mystic Mourning".
I love the suitcase, it has that subtle class. The stage sounds trying hard to make itself heard out with its marimba like attack.. I may be biased,.. disclaimer.. I am 1973 born.
Let me explain to you that these two keyboards are designed to use different amps. The Suitcase has a built in amp, the stage does not and requires a separate amp.
This review might confuse some viewers, implying that the sound differences are due to the model year. There were always 2 different models, one with the Suitcase (separate speaker and amp), and one with just metal legs (Stage). There was also an 88 key version, and a much smaller version that just had a couple octaves of the bass keys. I have a '73 Stage Rhodes (without the suitcase speaker), and I don't see any basis for suggesting that it sounds different than the newer 1975 RHODES 73 Stage, other than the felt mod that was added. You can purchase the parts to make this modification (as well as almost any other Rhodes part) at Vintage Vibe, btw. That said, the suitcase version defnitely had a dramatically different sound, as the preamp allowed for a significant boost to the treble, making the stage model sound much muted and bassy. The stereo panning vibrato is also wonderful, it really moves a lot of air, and gives the effect of a slow rotation on a Leslie Speaker. It can be emulated somewhat with a good vibrato effect, but like the Leslie, there's really nothing that sounds the same as the real thing.
I think you made my case for why they were different and why I made the video. Although the suitcase and stage had most things in common the built in amp of the suitcase made all of the difference between them and that is what made the suitcase so special. I also own the the Fender Piano Bass from 1972 as well and it also has a place in history.
When discussing a Fender Rhodes you must always talk about the year as many believe (as I do) that the later models are still nice, but I prefer the 1972 - 1974 models for sure.
@@ThePianoforever I knew you understood the differences, but watching this I think people might be thinking that the presence of the speaker on the suitcase model was a function of the year it was made. I know that was not your intention, but if I did not know better that's what I would have taken away from the video. I have owned and restored a few of these over the years, and you are totally correct that in later years the hammers went to plastic. It's been some time, but my recollection is that the plastic was yellowish from the start. For me the plastic was noticeable when playing the piano, but maybe it was just my imagination. I didn't notice any tonal variation between them though, the tip of the mallet was always rubber. And you can buy even today after-market pre-amps for the stage model, which dramatically improve the sound capabilities and make them sound brighter.
I have a suitcase 88 with the original amp. It doesn't have the Fender Rhodes logo, so it's post 1973 (my birth year!). I always thought the "suitcase" referred to the fact that the piano sits in its own case, which is like a suitcase?
@@ThePianoforever The fact that these are a pain in the ass to move is the one hope I have of being able to afford on locally some day. Every year more people get recruited to the vst bandwagon and complete ignore that they are no longer playing a musical instrument.
Write me about the stage model if you still havd it and want to see it? I think it could get some upgrades like a preamp or chorus. Maybe that would brighten the sounda bit. I do like the suitcase better.
Yes, the suitcase Fender Rhodes and the later models Rhodes come two separate pieces with the keyboard as one section and the speakers / amp being in the second section. You can buy the Fender Rhodes as a stage version, but I just love the sound of the suitcase.
I still fret over the fact that I sold an original 73 Rhodes suitcase (w/ the amp) in 1997 for only 200$! To top that off, I only got paid 100$ of the agreed upon 200$, AND I spent that 100$ in a couple hours on a drug binge!!! (I have since grown up & quit, etc., eliminating the need to sell valuable musical toys for ridiculous discounts that result in future ulcers).
Sorry to hear that. Glad you reformed. Musicians are poor and do not have any money. Over the years, a number of musicians stole a number of my musical instruments. Effers!
Great video. Sadly i'm not fortunate enough to have a real Rhodes, so have to make do with Plug Ins. Keyscape is pretty darn good, but i'm not here to argue with anyone about the pro's and con's of plug ins etc. What i want to know is, does a real Rhodes make any sound when the keys are pressed extremely lightly? I CANNOT find this info anywhere on the net, and so i'm asking you as you will obviously know. I want to know so i can set up my plug in as accurately as possible. Thanks very much.
The Rhodes doesn't have the extreme dynamic range of a real piano, or even a modern electric piano, so pressing the keys very lightly may not result in a sound. However, this can vary from instrument to instrument, mine has a very light touch since it has had the Miracle Mod installed. Stock instruments can have a heavier touch.
Yours says Mark I. Did they go up to Mark IV? Last models had a red top, not black. A very different instrument, and then they disappeared. You need a Wurlitzer electric piano. Go through all of it, than compare the Wurlitzer sound to the Fender Rhodes. Also discuss MXR phase 90, as an effect added to the Rhodes versus the vibrato built in. Richard Carpenter was an electric keyboard player live. He started with the Wurlitzer, moved to the Rhodes suitcase? Donald Fagen of Steely Dan used a suitcase model with phaser. I prefer the mellow tone of the stage model. Somewhat glockenspiel-ish. Then, get a Yamaha DX7 and compare the FM synthesis sound of the electric piano heard on 80s hits like DeBarge- Who’s Holding Donna Now. Early DX7s sound different than later models, and different than the Roland FM synth piano sounds, as on the D50. Goodbye Stranger- Supertramp = Wurlitzer. What I Say- Ray Charles = Wurlitzer.
The sixties models were made different and needed more maintenance and hammer replacement. The best years are pretty much recognized to be in the early 1970's (1971-1973).
@@ThePianoforever Maybe that is why those models (early 70's) are the most commonly available. They have outlasted the others. And those are the models that the Vintage Vibes are based on.
I bought a used Rhodes Mark I Stage Piano (1977) a while back. The original owner played hymns in the Tennessee-Alabama area. He got too old to lug it around and replaced it with a lighter electric piano. So, maybe not Bach, but certainly Fanny J. Crosby!
I think the Fender Twin Reverb is the amp of choice for Stage piano players. You get tone control, tremolo, and reverb too. Something the suitcase didn't have. Oh, and you can overdrive it!!! Have you checked out a Hohner Clavinet yet?
the1tedunderhill, There will always be discussions over the Stage or Suitcase models, but I can tell you the Suitcase is by far the more sought after version. My choice has always been very clear and I would prefer the Suitcase and I own both. If anyone wants a Stage I would sell them mine just contact me.
I thought the Suitcase 88 would be the best choice once as well, but the reason I changed my mind was the fact that the amp is the same size and the 88 just sticks out over the sides. I can honestly say that it would be very rare for me to use those keys and rarer yet to be happen to be playing the Rhodes when I needed them.
The 1973 Fender Rhodes Suitcase is built with a pre-amp, amplifier, and the speakers themselves. Satellite speakers made by Fender for the Rhodes were available back in the day, too.
Could the Rhodes stage model have been connected to the same speaker/amp of the Fender Rhodes for a better comparison? The least variables the more equal the comparison. Since they are both similar, and Rhodes, it’s not like apples to oranges, more like two apples and one tree verses two apples and two trees.
Garry Gregory, not really, as the suitcase keyboard version has a built in Peterson preamp and that is what gives it the effects that the suitcase is known for. It should also be noted that the stage model is wired with standard connectors, but the suitcase has proprietary Fender connection to accommodate the Peterson preamp to what basically must be two separate amps in the suitcase. I will be comparing the Rhodes sound in stage keyboards in a later video where I will be using two Roland KC350 amps for the keyboards compared to the Fender/Rhodes suitcase, I expect it will be an interesting video.
Rhodes in old or modern shapes are the best sounding instrument/sound ever made. If you dont agree, your just wrong. On another note(badum-diss) every drummer in a band loves these old Rhodes and keybord player?! Why you ask? Because the rest of the band hates carrying it more then drums, making him not the most unpopular one 😊
Should mention the history of the Rhodes: it was to get pianos into poor urban schools and other public institutions (e.g. the YMCA, etc.) to teach music to more people. The Rhodes was much less expensive to manufacture than a full upright piano. Rock, jazz, and funk discovered it in the 1960's and gave it a completely different purpose!
Brent Boswell Oh yeah? How much did the different models cost in those days? Any idea?
When was the first electric piano made, and when did those sounds that we know and love so much start appearing on records?
That's incorrect. The rhodes was made by a stationed marine, and he built what was at that time a transportable toy piano, to teach other marines... in the process, they exposed over 250k people to music. The marine was positioned as director of music in the marines, specifically to teach other marines. His toy piano ended up in a lot of schools, yes. But it wasn't the fender rhodes, it was a toy piano. He went on to develop the fender rhodes a few years after this.
I literally just watched the story of the fender rhodes last night lol, I recommend watching it for the full story on the rhodes.
You were close, but no cigar. It's misinformation at that rate.
@@tjblackmore7863 you need to watch "the story of the rhodes".
The marine who developed the first transportable toy piano (possibly electric, I cant remember) ended up designing the fender rhodes later on. And I believe this was the first guy to ever develop any type of portable electric piano, which is why this was a big deal.
His toy piano invention prior to the rhodes, he made while stationed in the marines and he developed it out of scratch metal. He was a genius
I had a Rhodes Stage model and ordered the suitcase stereo tremolo pre-amp which came with the whole front aluminum face board and installed it. I also ran a chorus with it which adds a lot to the sound. I ran it stereo through a mixer, 200W amp and EV PI-15-3 (15" 3 way) speakers. The difference in sound on any Rhodes comes from how you tune the tines with respect to the pick-ups. There are springed screws that move the tine and tone bar up or down and you could get a beautiful bell tone or a real funky wank tone depending on what you wanted, or somewhere in between. I think this is why Stevie Wonder had like 13 of them. He also tuned them to different keys. The two Rhodes you are playing probably have the tines adjusted slightly differently. You are also playing them through different sound systems. The suitcase just has 2, 12” speakers. I had keyboard players wanting to borrow or rent my Rhodes rig all the time.
James, this is one of the MOST COMPREHENSIVE instructional video I have seen. You are truly the consummate historian on The Rhodes, and I learned a lot. I will have to reopen my 73 suitcase and check the build date and see if it ever had a Miracle Mod done to it. Thank you for this enlightening information!
So glad to have another 1973 suitcase owner drop by my channel, if you need any action work done to your Fender Rhodes I can let you know who did the work to mine.
I’ve got a 79 stage 73 mk1 rhodes with the full plastic hammers. The thing plays better than any other rhodes I’ve ever heard, but it lacks a certain percussiveness. If you want to play it and are ever in Ohio maybe we could jam out, I’ve got a Hammond CV/Leslie 145 too, would be a fun time geekin out about keys :)
Overall, the Fender Rhodes gets my vote, although the simpler, more focused tone of the Rhodes has its own charm, and worked well for the Bach pieces, I thought. Fascinating video. Thanks so much.
WOW... I really enjoyed this. 35 minutes went by so fast because your analysis/review was so comprehensive, informative and fun. Great great job
Although they share several similarities, it is noted that they sound different, the fender rhodes sounds more focused on the mids, while the Rhodes is more scoop in the EQ and make more "bell type" sound. With any of the 2 instruments one will not be wrong, it all depends on the taste of each one and what you are looking for. Great video by the way, keep doing this great comparisons. Cheers.
I liked the sound of the Stage better than I expected from the preamble.
I have always said that modern electronic keyboards emulate the Rhodes very well, until you hear the real thing! I don't care what anyone says you cannot emulate exactly the mechanical sound of hammers hitting metal tangs electronically. Same with a Hammond through a Leslie cabinet - a mechanical sound of spinning speakers. Again, done very well with electronics, until you hear the real thing. Hammonds and Rhodes pianos are both iconic instruments that will never be replaced with anything as good.
When you compare the modern keyboards with “Rhodes” or “Fender Rhodes” settings, it would be nice to hear what you think of their emulations.
Actually the emulations are fine, both sampled and modelled. Closer to the mark than acoustic pianos, you can't tell in band settings or recordings. But I still regret selling my rhodes 20 years ago and will buy one at some point, because playing it was so cool and straightfoward.
My Casio keyboard has a couple "Electric Piano" settings, and I can't help but one of them is based off the Rhodes.
I am a jazz drummer but with big interest in amplification. I also have a technics px100 piano. I worked or many years in the U.K. With a great keyboard player who often surrounded himself with many keyboard instruments rather like Joe Zawinul in weather report. He used a Rhodes stage and extracted many different different sounds from it. The technique was to constantly change the Rhodes output volume and the H&H amplifier. Overdriving the amp and using more physical power and then turn down the Rhodes and the H&H amp up to produce softer sounds . He could make a Rhodes growl.
I took lessons from Mr. Rhodes at the Fender Factory in Fullerton in 1970, at the time they only has suitcase pianos there, I believe I saw a prototype stage there in 1971. the I bought my first stage 73 in 1977. It was the higher quality still.
You have me so conditioned as soon as I see one of these Rhodes I start to hear Riders On the Storm . . . nice vid.
Classic piece for sure.
Only that riders on the storm is apparently played on a Wurlitzer, not a Rhodes.
@@TimToussaint Oh dude, nope. You can even look up for the following video: RAY MANZAREK - RIDERS ON THE STORM. (it´s all in caps). He tells the full song story and confirms that it is a Fender Rhodes in the song
If you like music, you might want to check out my second channel "Milan Recording Studios". Feel free to subscribe and hit the bell icon if you want to!
czcams.com/channels/u1LrpmWwK1ztTvIayRar9w.html
Thanks for the awesome review...I am looking at these exact two years now and trying to decide.
Your "test piece" at 24:00 struck an emotion and began to make me cry in a beautiful way.
Nice Job James! Glad your studio is coming along so nicely.
Enjoy,
Brad Maier
Brad Maier, Thank you.
These videos are just soo amazing! Thank you a lot! 🎹
Wow I didn't know David Spade was a superb musician too. Just kidding. I loved and enjoyed your break down of these iconic beautiful instruments. That sound!!!!!! Just sublime. Thank you so much!!!!
Wow! The stuff you have access to is just amazing! The Rhodes was, and is, a beautiful instrument.
My only suggestion is I wish we could have heard something with more of a rock feel. I thought the suitcase model excelled at sounding pretty, but I heard some crunchy distortion starting to come through the stage sound, which probably would have sounded awesome if you were really pounding the keys. Anyway, great review of these keyboards.
Fantastic presentation! Great details!!
Listening to them played side-by-side in my opinion (and this is just my opinion) I prefer the sound of the suitcase model. This was a great video, JPS. 🎹💖👍
Thank you checking out the video, I am working on some really interesting things that I will start uploading shortly.
great info and awesome to see them compared side by side!
A lot of people are confused between these two models. I had a chance to purchase the stage a year ago, but was looking for the right suitcase. I picked it up so I could take the time to find the exact suitcase I wanted.
I had no idea that the Rhodes was a mechanical keyboard. I always thought it was an electronic synthesizer. Awesome!
You don’t run into these very often on the market. Great demo, as usual!
Really cool instruments.
1974 was the first year they dropped the fender branding. these pianos are in amazing condition! wow
@Josh Mulder Are you sure? Because I own a 1974 "Fender" Branded Stage piano. I think the first year they dropped the name was '75.
Hey my bad. The change of the trademark branding from from “Fender Rhodes” to “Rhodes” took place in the second half of 1974.
Very cool, thanks for taking the time to show us these things. I listen to a lot of 1960s and 1970s music, and I distinguish between an earlier and a later rhodes, the latter which seems to replace the earlier one from the mid-1970s onwards. The earlier being a little lower and more natural-sounding (which I prefer), and the later one sounding higher and more plasticky (fittingly, as the (dreaded) 1980s approach). I'll link two examples when I find ones.
The vibrato is simply wonderful
Two beautiful sounding instruments
Very helpful n' instructive content! Thank you very very much, man!
At 24:00 I can picture Richard Carpenter playing one of his lush arrangements and Karen added her silky-smooth vocals. Music was sooo great back then.
I always pictured Richard Carpenter playing a Rhodes, until recently when I saw a special on the Carpenters and saw to my surprise that he was playing a Wurlitzer electric piano on their songs!
Classic electric pianos, I love them both. Its nice to learn about the actually instruments that my digital RoM /sample player keyboards try to emulate.
I am going to be doing a comparison of top end stage pianos, and one video will deal with the Fender Rhodes Suitcase comparing it to those stage pianos trying to emulate the Fender Rhodes sound.
That is awesome! Thanks for that Doors rendition. I'm impressed.
1rst! Very cool! I like that you actually have both which makes the video even more intresting! The rhodes is one of my dream keyboards...
A sound like no other.
Great vid! thanks for sharing your thoughs
They both sound great! I notice the difference. "Like, the same thing, only different!" - Chong (talking to Cheech)
Just a note, but you need to be an ol' fart electronics tech to know this: The plug you show at 18:25 is actually a standardized plug of the time. The socket on this unit is more typically used for a single pole / single throw plug-in relay. The plug is from a whole series of plugs made to fit various configuration relay sockets making the pair usable in all kinds of applications. It seems proprietary because it's twice obsolete, replaced (around the 1970s by the 5/8" and 1/2" radial pin plug and socket you show around 8:15, which was eventually replace in the 80s and 90s by the 3/8" and 1/4". When I say replaced I mean in all of electronics, not just this instrument.
Also: Since you supplied your own amplifier for the stage model, most amps had their own vibrato control. The difference (I think) is the Fender's vibrato was actually a "ping-pong" effect between the left and right speaker while an instrument amp's vibrato was simply a "vibrating" or oscillating volume for a single speaker.
Wow, the Rhodes plaque is crooked on the Rhodes stage piano. I had a Fender Rhodes suitcase. I bought it based off I think Herbie Hancock's demonstration of the vibrato. I liked that effect. I used to lug this thing around, this was considered a portable piano in the 1970s. But I did notice that the Wurlitzers were lighter and had I thought closer to a piano sound. The Fender Rhodes played well, the action was close to an acoustic in some ways. I also liked that, unlike digital pianos, they made a sound when they were turned off, and you can hear it better in the higher keys because it used tines and not digital samples or models. The input jack was definitely proprietary on both ends of it from the speaker to the piano. Overall, it's an iconic instrument and still sampled on keyboards today.
Definitely preferred the Suitcase to the Stage. The Stage seemed more muddled and flatter. Your test piece is better on acoustics. But some music is better on Rhodes, like fusion jazz and such.
Herbie is a great musician. I have played the very instrument he presently plays on tour, a Fazioli F278 kept down in southern California.
The input socket on the suitcase model looks like a DIN socket. It was probably added so a performer could add a tape recorder that would play through the instrument's speakers.
I’ve been lucky enough to have owned both...(don’t have ‘em anymore) I prefer the richer sound of the Stage Rhodes...although the action hurt my fingers...
Also, the guys in the band would avoid helping me get it out of the van, so it spent lots of time there while I played the Poly-6...
I know...not cool...
mVm
The 1973 Fender Rhodes seems to have a more glassy attack, where the 1975 Rhodes has a more Mirimba attack. The tremolo really makes it but you can use a tremolo pedal and two amps on the 1975 Rhodes for a simlar sound. A slight amount compressive distortion may add some high end harmonics to the Rhodes. Both are beautiful instruments. I can get similar sounds on my Yamaha DX7. I think the 1975 Rhodes is well suited to Jazz, the 1973 Fender Rhodes was more suited to Rock... hence the importance of Rhodes pianos in Rock/Jazz fusion.
In my younger days I was totally into that super-bright and cutting Dyno-My-Rhodes sound. However, these days I prefer the warmer sound of the late 60s-early 70s Suitcase Rhodes. Go figure...
I just love how all everything fender made you can just picture in a smokey bar blowing the top off
If I had a dollar for every time I had to put the tines back on from playing funk. Lol
James,
The 75 Rhodes sound is clearer , the sound has more focus and I think it would be more complementary to the vocals and other instrument in "Riders On The Storm".
The Fender is more complex and really powerful, but I still like the Rhodes better, for this piece.
The Rhodes is more piano like on the last Bach piece in the right hand ,but the bass, tend to be a bit muddy.
The Fender sounds almost organ like, that's the vibrato ,but a lower volume would complement the Last Bach better.
Great Demo, lots of fun to listen to.
Cheers,
Rik Spector
Hey there, I enjoyed your video. I have a home studio that we have set up with EVERYTHING> Including, a 1973 Rhodes , Baby Grand and other synths. Along with dozens of guitars basses and percussion. I fired up the Rhodes and a couple of keys are a bit quiet compared to others. All in all it is in very good condition. It spent most of its life in a studio. Nothing like that tone though. I like seeing you younger dudes out there getting your hands dirty figuring out how it all works.
Sounds like your pick ups need to be adjusted.
Damn, if more people took time to share the history of music on youtube like you do, I'd have a PhD in no time. Thanks for your knowledge and time. Thanks for sharing your implicit sensibilities as well. I feel you lean toward the Fender Rhodes as opposed to the Rhodes, but my intuition might be wrong?
I like these comparisons videos that you've produced. Have you made a video on the RMI keyboards as used by Ron Mael of Sparks? Many thanks Julian
Very informative. Tnx for d video.
Love the video friend! 👍
Thank you!
GREAT PLAYER, fabulous RHODES piano, thanks HAROLD RHODES, it's a legend, amazing sound.
I have a '74 Mk 1 Fender Rhodes 88, only today I gave it a bit of a service & tune.
It doesn't have the Miracle Mod but I lifted the harp & lubricated the hammer felts & key pegs with silicon spray, the keys are a lot lighter now.
I plan on repeating this each year, cheaper than ordering the mod kit & paying for freight & conversion to the Australian Dollar.
Gotta love a good rhodes player
Long live the Rhodes.
Love the stage. Especially the bass sounds
Great video!!!
To be honest, I like the Rhodes a little more; I suppose I like the mellower nature of it over the treble-boosted Fender Rhodes. Plus the fact that it's not as desirable as the Fender Rhodes gives me hope that I could own one if I wanted. Too bad I'm broke and only saw this video 2 years too late. :P
That vibrato really does make a HUGE difference, if not all the difference.
My headphones are telling me that it's time to get a new set of computer speakers.... I like the tone on the '73 model better.
Thanks for the video.
The stage Rhodes sounds more like a bell
Keyscape brought me here, lol, as a producer sometimes I actually want to know more about the sounds I'm using...if I randomly pull up the "Irish Bouzouki" sound in Logic and it fits into the dope Afro-pop beat I'm creating that's all that really matters, but in my spare time after mixing I might wonder what one really is....
I have a 38 74 Rhodes Stage Mk I, so I'd guess it was transitional actually. The inside is badged Rhodes, most all other marks are Rhodes as well, but the back has a Fender Rhodes and I have Fender knobs as well. Also in the Bay Area.
It's not true that after Rhodes 1975 keys were plastic. Keys got plastic in mid '80s. Rhodes Mark II has wooden keys, and it was made by the end of 1979 and till 1981.
Sanel Lerić Agreed my Rhodes stage Mk1 is from 1978 and has wooden keys
I don’t think he was saying that after 75 they were plastic. He was saying later on they became plastic
I enjoyed learning more about my seventy-three
But I’m seriously confused, I have the logo of the Rhodes and what looks like a 75 imprint on the wood upper right hand corner, but I have the vibratos knobs and the speaker cab underneath. Almost like they built it after with parts from 73?
Interesting that Ray Manzeric plays maybe a modified Rhodes stage keyboard I had to check it out it certainly has the FR 73 reverb
I used to own Fender-Rhodes piano with the amp (manufactured before the “suitcase” name was applied). I was probably the third owner. In the hands of its previous owner, the vinyl covering was coming off the back, and the tremolo circuit was shot. What’s more, the fuse blew less than a year after I got it (probably due to humidity at the height of summer).
After I turned loose of that piano to a buyer who thought he could repair it, I had the option of acquiring a Rhodes Stage 88 Mark II. I sincerely wish I’d gone through with it. I could do without EQ and vibrato and always use external effects. The portable nature of the Stage models has always seemed more appealing. Especially when you think about how you can use a standard patch cable to send it out to your amplification system of choice. Not the same with the suitcase model, which required the special patch cable.
What became of the Stage model’s sustain pedal?
I have the original sustain pedal.
Have you got the Wurlitzer 100 and 200A pianos? Love to hear a demonstration of the big tube amplifier that the 100 rested on vs. the solid-state amp built into the 200A.
Not yet.
:(
Because, that kind of comparison would kick just as much booty as this one!
I'm gonna bring up an obscure psychedelic number. The Beacon Street Union in 1967, it sounds, used the Fender Rhodes to great effect in their song "Mystic Mourning".
I love the suitcase, it has that subtle class. The stage sounds trying hard to make itself heard out with its marimba like attack.. I may be biased,.. disclaimer.. I am 1973 born.
What a nice player!!
Excellent
His Bach work is inspired and appreciate d
The knobs on your 1975 Mark I are original. I bought mine new in 1975 and still have it. It has the “F” on the knobs just like yours.
I've got a 1977 Mark I Stage Piano, and the "F" is on the knobs just like yours.
I'd love to hear both through the same/both rigs.
Let me explain to you that these two keyboards are designed to use different amps. The Suitcase has a built in amp, the stage does not and requires a separate amp.
This review might confuse some viewers, implying that the sound differences are due to the model year. There were always 2 different models, one with the Suitcase (separate speaker and amp), and one with just metal legs (Stage). There was also an 88 key version, and a much smaller version that just had a couple octaves of the bass keys.
I have a '73 Stage Rhodes (without the suitcase speaker), and I don't see any basis for suggesting that it sounds different than the newer 1975 RHODES 73 Stage, other than the felt mod that was added. You can purchase the parts to make this modification (as well as almost any other Rhodes part) at Vintage Vibe, btw.
That said, the suitcase version defnitely had a dramatically different sound, as the preamp allowed for a significant boost to the treble, making the stage model sound much muted and bassy. The stereo panning vibrato is also wonderful, it really moves a lot of air, and gives the effect of a slow rotation on a Leslie Speaker. It can be emulated somewhat with a good vibrato effect, but like the Leslie, there's really nothing that sounds the same as the real thing.
I think you made my case for why they were different and why I made the video. Although the suitcase and stage had most things in common the built in amp of the suitcase made all of the difference between them and that is what made the suitcase so special. I also own the the Fender Piano Bass from 1972 as well and it also has a place in history.
When discussing a Fender Rhodes you must always talk about the year as many believe (as I do) that the later models are still nice, but I prefer the 1972 - 1974 models for sure.
@@ThePianoforever I knew you understood the differences, but watching this I think people might be thinking that the presence of the speaker on the suitcase model was a function of the year it was made. I know that was not your intention, but if I did not know better that's what I would have taken away from the video.
I have owned and restored a few of these over the years, and you are totally correct that in later years the hammers went to plastic. It's been some time, but my recollection is that the plastic was yellowish from the start. For me the plastic was noticeable when playing the piano, but maybe it was just my imagination. I didn't notice any tonal variation between them though, the tip of the mallet was always rubber.
And you can buy even today after-market pre-amps for the stage model, which dramatically improve the sound capabilities and make them sound brighter.
I have a suitcase 88 with the original amp. It doesn't have the Fender Rhodes logo, so it's post 1973 (my birth year!). I always thought the "suitcase" referred to the fact that the piano sits in its own case, which is like a suitcase?
Hi, can one use a fender twin reverb with a rhodes stage at a very low volume? Is it always a cannonball?
I will bet you the rider was a a stage Rhode and the vibrato was added to the track in post production
Brought a Rhodes to Saudi Arabia with me in '79... "Portable" but not easily...
I'm in Vancouver and would love to have your stage.
I don't know how easy it would be to ship this out of country.
@@ThePianoforever The fact that these are a pain in the ass to move is the one hope I have of being able to afford on locally some day. Every year more people get recruited to the vst bandwagon and complete ignore that they are no longer playing a musical instrument.
Nice video, thank you. My question is does the Suitcase got 4 speakers inside and does it vibrate in stereo?
It has four speakers, two facing toward the player and two towards the audience.
Write me about the stage model if you still havd it and want to see it? I think it could get some upgrades like a preamp or chorus. Maybe that would brighten the sounda bit. I do like the suitcase better.
The input jack on the Fender looks like a mic jack.
Hello, I read that Rhodes is coming out with the MK8 electric piano. What do you think?
I love the sound of Rhodes and am planning on getting one. Does the key section of the suitcase separate from the speakers for transport?
Yes, the suitcase Fender Rhodes and the later models Rhodes come two separate pieces with the keyboard as one section and the speakers / amp being in the second section. You can buy the Fender Rhodes as a stage version, but I just love the sound of the suitcase.
Yes it does. The speakers are pretty light, the real weight is in the keyboard itself.
Hammer tine!
lovethem
I still fret over the fact that I sold an original 73 Rhodes suitcase (w/ the amp) in 1997 for only 200$! To top that off, I only got paid 100$ of the agreed upon 200$, AND I spent that 100$ in a couple hours on a drug binge!!! (I have since grown up & quit, etc., eliminating the need to sell valuable musical toys for ridiculous discounts that result in future ulcers).
Sorry to hear that. Glad you reformed. Musicians are poor and do not have any money. Over the years, a number of musicians stole a number of my musical instruments. Effers!
Great video. Sadly i'm not fortunate enough to have a real Rhodes, so have to make do with Plug Ins. Keyscape is pretty darn good, but i'm not here to argue with anyone about the pro's and con's of plug ins etc. What i want to know is, does a real Rhodes make any sound when the keys are pressed extremely lightly? I CANNOT find this info anywhere on the net, and so i'm asking you as you will obviously know. I want to know so i can set up my plug in as accurately as possible. Thanks very much.
The Rhodes doesn't have the extreme dynamic range of a real piano, or even a modern electric piano, so pressing the keys very lightly may not result in a sound. However, this can vary from instrument to instrument, mine has a very light touch since it has had the Miracle Mod installed. Stock instruments can have a heavier touch.
ThePianoforever thank you very much.
20:19>22:08 the difference in my opinion
The chord snaps better
Yours says Mark I. Did they go up to Mark IV? Last models had a red top, not black. A very different instrument, and then they disappeared. You need a Wurlitzer electric piano. Go through all of it, than compare the Wurlitzer sound to the Fender Rhodes. Also discuss MXR phase 90, as an effect added to the Rhodes versus the vibrato built in. Richard Carpenter was an electric keyboard player live. He started with the Wurlitzer, moved to the Rhodes suitcase? Donald Fagen of Steely Dan used a suitcase model with phaser. I prefer the mellow tone of the stage model. Somewhat glockenspiel-ish. Then, get a Yamaha DX7 and compare the FM synthesis sound of the electric piano heard on 80s hits like DeBarge- Who’s Holding Donna Now. Early DX7s sound different than later models, and different than the Roland FM synth piano sounds, as on the D50. Goodbye Stranger- Supertramp = Wurlitzer. What I Say- Ray Charles = Wurlitzer.
The classic Rhodes models go up to V skipping a IV. Now they make a Mark VII which is a glorified Mark V.
Surprised to hear you say the 70's models are more desirable cause I remember the old guys always saying the 60's Rhodes sounded better.
The sixties models were made different and needed more maintenance and hammer replacement. The best years are pretty much recognized to be in the early 1970's (1971-1973).
@@ThePianoforever
Maybe that is why those models (early 70's) are the most commonly available.
They have outlasted the others. And those are the models that the Vintage Vibes are based on.
The fender Rhodes oozes cool
Very nice playing and comparing. But I don't think that Rhodes are mainly used to play Bach hymns. ;-)
I bought a used Rhodes Mark I Stage Piano (1977) a while back. The original owner played hymns in the Tennessee-Alabama area. He got too old to lug it around and replaced it with a lighter electric piano. So, maybe not Bach, but certainly Fanny J. Crosby!
The serial # is stamped on the wood under the lid...
I have a late 1976 stage that has those fender knobs. They must have had a lot of them to use up.
I think it is really cool that they made them with the Fender knobs, after all it was a Fender.
I think the Fender Twin Reverb is the amp of choice for Stage piano players. You get tone control, tremolo, and reverb too. Something the suitcase didn't have. Oh, and you can overdrive it!!! Have you checked out a Hohner Clavinet yet?
the1tedunderhill,
There will always be discussions over the Stage or Suitcase models, but I can tell you the Suitcase is by far the more sought after version. My choice has always been very clear and I would prefer the Suitcase and I own both. If anyone wants a Stage I would sell them mine just contact me.
I agree, given the choice. A nice position to be in! My ultimate Rhodes would be a Suitcase 88 though....
I thought the Suitcase 88 would be the best choice once as well, but the reason I changed my mind was the fact that the amp is the same size and the 88 just sticks out over the sides. I can honestly say that it would be very rare for me to use those keys and rarer yet to be happen to be playing the Rhodes when I needed them.
Is the Fender suitcase Rhodes speaker cab an amplifier combo or just a speaker cab?
The 1973 Fender Rhodes Suitcase is built with a pre-amp, amplifier, and the speakers themselves. Satellite speakers made by Fender for the Rhodes were available back in the day, too.
@@ThePianoforever Is the amp inside the keyboard or speaker cab?
Can you add the "Miracle Mod" to the 1975 Rhodes?
I want to buy one
Could the Rhodes stage model have been connected to the same speaker/amp of the Fender Rhodes for a better comparison? The least variables the more equal the comparison. Since they are both similar, and Rhodes, it’s not like apples to oranges, more like two apples and one tree verses two apples and two trees.
Garry Gregory, not really, as the suitcase keyboard version has a built in Peterson preamp and that is what gives it the effects that the suitcase is known for. It should also be noted that the stage model is wired with standard connectors, but the suitcase has proprietary Fender connection to accommodate the Peterson preamp to what basically must be two separate amps in the suitcase. I will be comparing the Rhodes sound in stage keyboards in a later video where I will be using two Roland KC350 amps for the keyboards compared to the Fender/Rhodes suitcase, I expect it will be an interesting video.
@@ThePianoforever well, with the lids off you can always just plug the pickups of the stage to the preamp of the suitcase, using a regular RCA cable.
what of the rhodes mark 7?
Babe I'm leaving I must be on my way.... .I wish you would of played that song
Rhodes in old or modern shapes are the best sounding instrument/sound ever made. If you dont agree, your just wrong.
On another note(badum-diss) every drummer in a band loves these old Rhodes and keybord player?!
Why you ask?
Because the rest of the band hates carrying it more then drums, making him not the most unpopular one 😊