The Magic of Rhodes | 1973 Fender Rhodes Stage Piano

We're excited to showcase the 1973 Fender Rhodes Stage Piano! We demo the amazing sound of the Mark I Stage 73 piano. We have amazing digital and acoustic piano options at Alamo Music Center. Come by to test out in person and we'll help find the best instrument for you or a loved one!
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[@nedludd3641]

The Doors used a Rhodes to produce some of the best songs of the late Sixties. If you look on YT, the keyboard guy explained how he created the backing to 'Riders of the Storm', 'The End' & 'Light my Fire'. I love that sound muchly.

[@weinerdogcat3101]

Makes dreamlike music, soft and magical.

[@dongammilljr.9605]

Bought my 1975 Mark 1 stage 73 at a federal marshal's auction in 1992 for $150! When I was a music major at UGA in 1993, I lived in one of the high-rise dorms and the day I decided to bring it up to my room, the elevator was broken. I got the entire thing up the stairs to the 8th floor and then did the same with a keyboard amp I had. Lots of good memories with that old piano, and thankfully, I still have it (so a pricey restoration is definitely on the horizon)!

[@davidsummerville351]

I am 68 and that was a wonderful sound to grow up with.

[@kelvindodd5577]

I bought a Rhodes back in 1979 for $100. Played it on many gigs. Stupidly traded it away in 1993, just picked up a 1972 restorable one and am looking forward to playing again.

[@davidthomas5118]

The Fender trademark didn't disappear from the name rail until early 1974. This could still be a 1973 unit, but with a replacement name rail. The date code on the harp would be a more reliable indicator, along with the serial number. Whether it's a '73 or a '74 doesn't really matter; nothing on the inside changed when they changed the logo. The action and tone during that time period mostly varies between individual instruments (particularly after 48 years). The amazing thing about these instruments is how well they clean up. In most cases, a fully-restored Rhodes from that period sounds and plays better now than it did when it left the factory.

[@RoomAtTheTopStudio]

This is the sound that I fell in love with. I have the eighty eight keys version of the Stage mark I. I love it's sound so much I had to buy one last year. Your demonstration here really puts a smile on my face. Thank you for explaining the history of the brand. Great playing

[@pauloicto8252]

Over the years I've owned five Stage 73's. At one point, people were asking me to take them away because they were off to gigs with their new DX7 under their arm (seriously). Each one gave me the tine or part I needed to end up with a FULLY functional item - which I eventually parted company with - along with a Clavinet E8, Pianet-T and Hammond X5. Oh, the days before the internet.

[@Garyfisher-my4ew]

How about the oberheim fv_1 days

[@Garyfisher-my4ew]

The real 73 stage piano in 1973 (l bought one for 550.00 brand new,had a small fender Rhodes in front and a larger fender Rhodes on the back, way before the mark series,gold bars with a wooden key action.l played professionally in wash.d.c.,virginia, maryland for about six years, l loved playing it through a stack of Leslies(125,145 )before the t.c. electronics chorus was used,l have to say the sound was awesome. I later used the t.c. chorus for convenience on band jobs as well as the boss ce_2 chorus, one or the other,but one thing l have to say,l was griping to fender about how bad the action sucked(slow response, the keys would get locked down when using the sustain pedal )it sounded like a million bucks but it played like a mack truck racing against a Lamborghini The mark series brought in the plastic action that improved the playability, about the gripping to fender about the action, they sent me the factory manual for serviceing problems and still played like a mack truck against a race car,l spent more time than any thing trying to get it to play faster.moral of the story...don't buy the first generation of the 73 Rhodes if you actually want to play it

[@keithboyd5910]

Fender Rhodes is Legendary the most revolutionary instrument ever made

[@JonTkeys]

I know this came out 2 years ago bit watching it now, got to point out that your model isn’t a 1973, the 73 on the front refers to the numbers of keys. Rhodes from 73 have the fender logo.

[@Garyfisher-my4ew]

73 stage model,l bought one in 73 and always thought ,should l have bought an 88..?

[@JimmyFields-rm2zo]

Sorry guys, unless it's not a stock piano (a Franken-Rhodes), it not a '73. The "Seventy-Three" script logo is a reference to tthe number of keys it has. But because its keys are wood (rather than hollow plastic caps) the "Rhodes" badge (w/o "Fender"), post '74 knobs, control piano, latches etc. it's clearly from after '74. Without seeing internals (hammers, harp supports, dampers etc.) this could be as late as a '79. Definitely a Mk. I, but many changes occurred during the Mk I era.

[@fiftyfathoms8182]

Wow, this looks and sounds fresh! Was this a restauration? Where is it from? What was done on it? Any mods or other adjustments?

[@Feldspar__]

Amazing sound. What track is he playing at 12:39?

[@projectmoon13]

Surprised Leo didn’t ever sell a guitar with a pre amp.

[@Garyfisher-my4ew]

Why are comments always trumped by old out dated comments,l don't understand

[@costasyiannourakos6963]

What about the wurlitzer Pianos? How much more an 88key fender has to offer? Since the extra high notes barely sound beafier than a whistle. As for the lower ones not sustained enough to replace a bass guitar.

[@SimpsonSound]

HA! Not enough bass sustain? I guess that you’ve never heard the song “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway. The bass on there is Not a bass guitar. It’s the Fender Rhodes bass!

[@christopherpederson1021]

Yea, there is plenty of sustain. That is not a problem

[@Anthony1985Eric]

I have one!

[@HornManish]

I am a drummer who has always wanted to own a Rhodes, but I can't play keys for toffee. Is that a stupid thing or what?