Rhodes piano |
Rhodes piano | |
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![]() A Rhodes Mark II | |
William Schultz (1983–87) Rhodes Music Corporation (1997–present) | |
Dates | 1946 ("Pre piano") 1959 (Piano bass) 1965 (MkI "suitcase") 1970 (MkI "Stage") 1979 (MkII) 1984 (Mk V) 1987 (Roland Rhodes MK 80) 2007 (Mark 7) |
Technical specifications | |
Full | |
Induced current from a pickup | |
Electromechanical | |
Tremolo, stereo auto-pan | |
Input/output | |
73 or 88 keys | |
External control | Line out or DIN connector to |
The Rhodes piano (also known as the Fender Rhodes piano or simply Fender Rhodes or Rhodes) is an
The instrument evolved from Rhodes' attempt to manufacture pianos to teach recovering soldiers during
In the 1990s, the instrument enjoyed a resurgence in popularity, resulting in Rhodes re-obtaining the rights to the piano in 1997. Although Harold Rhodes died in 2000, the instrument has since been reissued, and his teaching methods are still in use.
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The Rhodes piano features a keyboard with a similar layout to a traditional acoustic piano, but some models contain 73 keys instead of 88.[1] The touch and action of the keyboard is designed to be as close to a piano as possible. Pressing a key results in a hammer striking a thin metal rod called a tine connected to a larger "tone bar". The whole "tone generator assembly" acts as a
The Suitcase model Rhodes includes a built-in power amplifier and a
Although the Rhodes has the same mechanical operation as a piano, its sound is very different.[5] The sound produced by the tines has a mellower timbre,[6] but varies depending on the location of the tine relative to the pickup. Putting the two close together gives a characteristic "bell" sound.[4] The instrument's sound has been frequently compared with the