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1979 Rhodes Suitcase 73 Mk II Vintage Electric Piano w/ Janus Preamp, Serviced w/ Mk I Action
1979 Rhodes Suitcase 73 Mk II Vintage Electric Piano w/ Janus Preamp, Serviced w/ Mk I Action
Up for sale, a 1979 Rhodes Mk II Suitcase 73 electric piano in excellent condition and perfect working order. Fully serviced, this early version of the Mk II features the same action assembly as the late Mk I pianos (wood keys), freshly tuned and voiced. The piano takes full advantage of the power and clarity of the Janus preamp to deliver smooth transitions from the lower, growly bass octaves to the bell-like notes in the highest registers. The low end ranges from mellow, round bass notes with a soft touch to the famous Rhodes growl when digging in.
The Janus preamp's controls include Bass/Treble sliders, a Volume knob, and Speed/Intensity controls for the stereo vibrato. The effect is lush and smooth, with a wide range of depths and speeds that fully take advantage of the stereo field. More percussive and punchy than earlier Rhodes vibratos, the Janus vibrato can go from slow and swampy to machine gun fast with the turn of a knob.
The power amp has a strong and even response from both sides of the stereo unit, and the original Schumacher power transformer dates to the 45th week of '79. Both the preamp and power supply have been serviced, with electrolytic caps replaced as needed. This Rhodes also has a low noise floor, ideal for studio situations. The cabinet retains a quad of original 12" speakers (two facing the performer and two facing the audience). The speakers were manufactured by Pyle, and the stamps on the ceramic magnets date to the 43rd week of '79.
The action is smooth, consistent and springy, with a fast attack that isn't sloppy, and original key bushings that are in excellent shape. The original hammer tips and damper felts show limited wear. The flat key caps that replaced the rounded caps in '74 also have a feel that is much more akin to an acoustic piano, and it's one of the smaller tweaks made by Rhodes that's virtually universally praised by players.
The harp itself is extremely clean, with original pickups, tines, and tonebars and only modest oxidation on the components. The Rhodes stamp on the harp is bold, and the date stamp from the 41st week of '79 is on the harp's upper right corner. The original knobs are intact on the preamp, along with the small "Rhodes" logo on the namerail. The two large "Rhodes" badges on the back are no longer present, but exact reproductions are available.
The original smooth black tolex and matching black grillcloth are intact and present extremely well, with very limited patina on the hardware. The original latching lid is also present.
The Janus preamp's controls include Bass/Treble sliders, a Volume knob, and Speed/Intensity controls for the stereo vibrato. The effect is lush and smooth, with a wide range of depths and speeds that fully take advantage of the stereo field. More percussive and punchy than earlier Rhodes vibratos, the Janus vibrato can go from slow and swampy to machine gun fast with the turn of a knob.
The power amp has a strong and even response from both sides of the stereo unit, and the original Schumacher power transformer dates to the 45th week of '79. Both the preamp and power supply have been serviced, with electrolytic caps replaced as needed. This Rhodes also has a low noise floor, ideal for studio situations. The cabinet retains a quad of original 12" speakers (two facing the performer and two facing the audience). The speakers were manufactured by Pyle, and the stamps on the ceramic magnets date to the 43rd week of '79.
The action is smooth, consistent and springy, with a fast attack that isn't sloppy, and original key bushings that are in excellent shape. The original hammer tips and damper felts show limited wear. The flat key caps that replaced the rounded caps in '74 also have a feel that is much more akin to an acoustic piano, and it's one of the smaller tweaks made by Rhodes that's virtually universally praised by players.
The harp itself is extremely clean, with original pickups, tines, and tonebars and only modest oxidation on the components. The Rhodes stamp on the harp is bold, and the date stamp from the 41st week of '79 is on the harp's upper right corner. The original knobs are intact on the preamp, along with the small "Rhodes" logo on the namerail. The two large "Rhodes" badges on the back are no longer present, but exact reproductions are available.
The original smooth black tolex and matching black grillcloth are intact and present extremely well, with very limited patina on the hardware. The original latching lid is also present.
$5,999.99
1979 Rhodes Suitcase 73 Mk II Vintage Electric Piano w/ Janus Preamp, Serviced w/ Mk I Action—
$5,999.99
Description
Up for sale, a 1979 Rhodes Mk II Suitcase 73 electric piano in excellent condition and perfect working order. Fully serviced, this early version of the Mk II features the same action assembly as the late Mk I pianos (wood keys), freshly tuned and voiced. The piano takes full advantage of the power and clarity of the Janus preamp to deliver smooth transitions from the lower, growly bass octaves to the bell-like notes in the highest registers. The low end ranges from mellow, round bass notes with a soft touch to the famous Rhodes growl when digging in.
The Janus preamp's controls include Bass/Treble sliders, a Volume knob, and Speed/Intensity controls for the stereo vibrato. The effect is lush and smooth, with a wide range of depths and speeds that fully take advantage of the stereo field. More percussive and punchy than earlier Rhodes vibratos, the Janus vibrato can go from slow and swampy to machine gun fast with the turn of a knob.
The power amp has a strong and even response from both sides of the stereo unit, and the original Schumacher power transformer dates to the 45th week of '79. Both the preamp and power supply have been serviced, with electrolytic caps replaced as needed. This Rhodes also has a low noise floor, ideal for studio situations. The cabinet retains a quad of original 12" speakers (two facing the performer and two facing the audience). The speakers were manufactured by Pyle, and the stamps on the ceramic magnets date to the 43rd week of '79.
The action is smooth, consistent and springy, with a fast attack that isn't sloppy, and original key bushings that are in excellent shape. The original hammer tips and damper felts show limited wear. The flat key caps that replaced the rounded caps in '74 also have a feel that is much more akin to an acoustic piano, and it's one of the smaller tweaks made by Rhodes that's virtually universally praised by players.
The harp itself is extremely clean, with original pickups, tines, and tonebars and only modest oxidation on the components. The Rhodes stamp on the harp is bold, and the date stamp from the 41st week of '79 is on the harp's upper right corner. The original knobs are intact on the preamp, along with the small "Rhodes" logo on the namerail. The two large "Rhodes" badges on the back are no longer present, but exact reproductions are available.
The original smooth black tolex and matching black grillcloth are intact and present extremely well, with very limited patina on the hardware. The original latching lid is also present.
The Janus preamp's controls include Bass/Treble sliders, a Volume knob, and Speed/Intensity controls for the stereo vibrato. The effect is lush and smooth, with a wide range of depths and speeds that fully take advantage of the stereo field. More percussive and punchy than earlier Rhodes vibratos, the Janus vibrato can go from slow and swampy to machine gun fast with the turn of a knob.
The power amp has a strong and even response from both sides of the stereo unit, and the original Schumacher power transformer dates to the 45th week of '79. Both the preamp and power supply have been serviced, with electrolytic caps replaced as needed. This Rhodes also has a low noise floor, ideal for studio situations. The cabinet retains a quad of original 12" speakers (two facing the performer and two facing the audience). The speakers were manufactured by Pyle, and the stamps on the ceramic magnets date to the 43rd week of '79.
The action is smooth, consistent and springy, with a fast attack that isn't sloppy, and original key bushings that are in excellent shape. The original hammer tips and damper felts show limited wear. The flat key caps that replaced the rounded caps in '74 also have a feel that is much more akin to an acoustic piano, and it's one of the smaller tweaks made by Rhodes that's virtually universally praised by players.
The harp itself is extremely clean, with original pickups, tines, and tonebars and only modest oxidation on the components. The Rhodes stamp on the harp is bold, and the date stamp from the 41st week of '79 is on the harp's upper right corner. The original knobs are intact on the preamp, along with the small "Rhodes" logo on the namerail. The two large "Rhodes" badges on the back are no longer present, but exact reproductions are available.
The original smooth black tolex and matching black grillcloth are intact and present extremely well, with very limited patina on the hardware. The original latching lid is also present.
