The secret of the strike line - Understanding the setup of a Fender Rhodes piano

[@mechasartre3694]

These videos are super useful. They’ll come in handy when I finally trade the Pianet in for a Rhodes.

[@deancoyle]

I do love the Pianet, but the Rhodes is another level!

[@MrFlint51]

To get maximum movement at the pickup end of the tine there must be one and a half wavelengths of oscillation. This means that the other point of maximum movement (where the tine is struck) must be one third of the distance from the fixed end.

[@zbkyuh1689]

Just the kind of info I was needing. Thank you!

[@JorbLovesGear]

Excellent demonstrations, fun to visualize at that scale

[@deancoyle]

Thank you Jorb! I really enjoy your channel, we seem to love the same things...gear.

[@lundsweden]

A really interesting video, thanks Dean! I would love to build something one day, and if I do it will be because you did it first!

[@TheJstewart2010]

Very cool. I used to have a Rhodes that I could never really get sounding good. I always had the metallic "plonking" sound no matter how much I adjusted things. No I realize that that was the 3rd harmonic and I wasn't moving far enough backward or forward to get the strikeline correct.

[@deancoyle]

These can be annoying instruments when not setup right. It is a shame many came from the factory needing work.

[@lundsweden]

@@deancoyle It was a definitely "get 'em out the door fast" attitude at Fender back then!

[@JulianChown]

I love your videos Dean! I've got both a rhodes and wurly, and you've hit everything on the head. head.great physics explanation here, and something im working on also....

[@deancoyle]

Thank you Julian. It means a lot.

[@Etrehumain123]

Same approach on grand piano, and there is room to move and set the whole action to this sweet spot too

[@deancoyle]

That is really interesting, I did wonder how it worked with pianos. Is there a ratio of string length or does other physics drive it? Have just google grand pianos from above and cant see a clear ratio.

[@PrimetimePatriot]

First! Been waiting for these updates, lets go!

[@deancoyle]

Thank you!

[@JenkemFactory]

That should be right at the antinode of the 3rd mode of vibration if im not mistaken. Sounds reasonable enough. My guess is that its a balance between the dynamics of the hammer mechanism and the tine, like how the vibration propagates through it. I'm just speculating but i think the sweetspot might change with different tine or hammer properties, like a really stiff tine would probably benefit from being struck at at 2/3 instead. Same with a super soft mallet. Love the series :) lots of fun little puzzles like this

[@Lumberjack1n]

great info man thanks!!

[@romyaz1713]

is it crucially important to have the tine tapered at the mounting side?

[@deancoyle]

I could be wrong but I think it has two uses. It reduces the stress when the time bends so they fatigue a lot slower. The other reason is that the connection between tine block and tine needs to be tight and even. If this is perfect you have a bad time that won't sustain. I think having the taper reduced the failure rate as it'd easier to have a good connection with a larger tine. The first fender Rhodes models had straight times though so it is possible.

[@romyaz1713]

@@deancoyle thanks! and what would happen if the oscillator fork (tine + metal rod) would be hard-connected to the wood frame instead of springs? would it kill the sustain or maybe cause some other effect?

[@deancoyle]

I think it would eat up the sustain and also you lose te ability to adjust the position of them.

[@romyaz1713]

@@deancoyle thank you. this piano is fascinating. i am just now discovering this. its crazy how they managed to find such a cool sound with such early tools

[@andytupaia]

Very interesting thank you sir

[@deancoyle]

You are welcome

[@pmaronna]

There is a book about musical instrument creation by Bart Hopkins and he explains this phenomenon very well for strings.

[@deancoyle]

Very interesting, I will try to get a copy. Thank you Pablo!

[@templetonguitars]

Great video!!

[@deancoyle]

Thank you

[@tbip2001]

Did you get any further with your March piano?

[@andy-simmons]

Super interesting!

[@deancoyle]

Thank you :-)

[@voltapix]

nice !