Vintage Vibe Marquis 73 Piano - Will the Electric Piano secondhand market crash?
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
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In this video I look at the latest release for them Vintage Vibe, the Vintage Vibe Marquis 73 Electric Piano.
This is the latest piano from Vintage Vibe and is has a focus towards affordability. But interestingly is doesn't seem to be budget - it has Variable Voice Control, Capstan Pedestals and has the option of a preamp.
Having studied Engineering, Physics and Manufacturing, I can see the manufacturing improvements they appear to have implemented in this design. Reducing the number of options but increasing the features that customers think are important. It reminds me of the Henry Ford Quote of "you can have it any color - as long as its black". This is streamlining the production line which should allow cost savings without losing function.
It is still early in the products life cycle and I haven't heard any samples of it yet. But it does look promising. The price it is advertised at seems very similar to the price that second hand Fender Rhodes Mk1 pianos are advertised for sale for. Will this create a ripple in the second hand market? - for me knowing that original tines can only survive so many strikes and the condition any original pianos are in it makes this new piano a tempting option.
I am not saying tines are delicate , I have had my Mk1 Fender Rhodes and play it regularly and have never broken a tine, but tine life does depend on how you play. Good tines that are well looked after can last well past 40 50 years, ones that have been subjected to rust, damage and heavy playing, may not last so long. Buying new - you know what condition the tines are in.
Let me know what you think of it in the comments?
For transparency, I have not been asked to make this video or receive anything form 3rd parties. There is no review or approval of what is included.
awesome, thanks for the heads up!!!!
Any time!
I love VV, they've been helpful to me many times and I buy from them whenever I need stuff for my MK1, but $7k for the base model is more than any budget Rhodes buyer will spend, and $11k for the top model with MIDI is not really competing with the MK8 in my mind. MK8 with FX is the same price, $11k on the standard setup, and it comes with MIDI out. Most people on a budget will spend $2k and restore a MK1 themselves, or spend $4k and get one already restored. I still imagine they'll sell a bunch to that mid range buyer though, they did a great job with the design, it's a beauty and you know it'll feel great to play!
One thing I missed is that every region has its own micro market. In the UK Rhodes Mk1s do come up for sale. We oddly have a load of 54s. But I often see mk1s in the £5k region regardless of condition. Deals do come up but I am talking about the advertised prices that sit there. I think the new VV does help put a cap on that top price.
I have been reading the comments today and the reaction to price isn't good. If they included the VVC in the base model would that have been the same? Think that might have put some pressure on the Rhodes UK?
@@deancoyle yeah the market varies a lot, especially with local listings, but it is pretty common in Canada to see them around $2-2.5k USD when they need some love. That’s the path I took, and it taught me a lot about the Rhodes through my whole restoration process, I even made my own small mod so I could easily swap between the passive circuit or active RetroFlyer preamp whenever I want.
If the VVC was in the base model for $7k I would consider it much more for sure. But even still, the MK8 is amazing and fills a different role as the “ultimate” Rhodes in my opinion, I got to play a couple at NAMM and they’re incredible. The quality, sound, feel, and versatility are next level.
But I also think if you can’t afford to buy a VV or MK8, then anyone with a MK1/MK2 could give it a good restoration, get it professionally setup, put a cool pedalboard together, and you’ll get just as much out of it!
Hard no haha, I believe the price is way out of the range for someone looking to get a vintage Rhodes. I was very excited to hear that they were making an affordable version of their action, but that price isn't it for me lol. The clients I get who want a restored Rhodes are usually looking to spend $3-4k max in my area. Plus the best part to me, the voice control, is a whole lot extra. Can you tell I was really hyped until I saw the price? lol, I just really want a VV keyboad. Love your stuff Dean.
Hi, you are right, for most people looking for a vintage Rhodes the price is above what someone would pay. I am glad that the originals are still about in good numbers, allowing people of a range to budget to be catered for. Though I find it annoying seeing ones it bad condition on reverb for silly prices. At least this new price should put a cap on these prices.
It is interesting the voice control price, the system doesn't look too complex, I wonder if there is hidden costs somewhere - I know they have protected the IP of it so there is a cost there, but you would think it would be good to include it on all pianos and make that part of the brand. I did initially think that was the case here as it is only described as an option in the price list.
Still more choice is more good!
There is also the new Wurlitzer EP teased at NAMM
What do you think it will be? a vst? digital? or reeds?
It is an interesting time.
kinda surprised warm audio hasnt had a go at this
The price for a used Rhodes has skyrocketed here, (40.000sek=30.000GBP) for a used one. Guess it is due to the release of the new models…
Regarding the case lid. No, there is no lid but understand that Vintage Vibe has gotten the weight on their tine pianos down to less than a pound (US) per key. Considering the original Rhodes with the lid was 140 lbs, the VV Marquis 73 is half the weight. You can easily find a case to fit iand still be less weight than an original Rhodes.
Depends if the buyer appreciates the historic value. Some will, some won't. More electric pianos on the market will possibly impact the popularity of said instrument, which in turn will have an impact on price of the originals. Status quo, more or less, I guess.
Besides, this one is not exactly cheap, and while you can get a somewhat affordable base model, you can still add options significantly driving the price up. MIDI option for additional $1850 someone?
In this video, Ben Bove mentions the 73 logo font is inspired by a Lincoln Continental car logo czcams.com/video/ttGPyYRWAN8/video.htmlsi=2f-58-Kox7EqtKz3&t=1551
Thank you for that reference, I knew I had heard it somewhere. It is interesting how that make it to the piano.