User Guide

388 Chapter 24 EVP88
The Rhodes piano was also made available as a suitcase piano (with pre-amp and two-
channel combo amplifier) and as a stage piano, without amplifier. Both of these 73-key
portable versions have a vinyl-covered wooden frame and a plastic top. In 1973, an 88
key model was introduced. Smaller Celeste and bass versions were less popular. The Mk
II (1978) had a flat top instead of a rounded one. This allowed keyboardists to place
extra keyboards on top of the Rhodes. In 1984 the Mark V was introduced, and even
sported a MIDI output. Around this time, Rhodes production decreased as most
keyboard players invested in the more flexible (and lighter) digital synthesizers
available. These keyboards could emulate the sound of older pianos, like the Rhodes,
and also had the bonus of a range of great new piano sounds.
The individual characteristic sound of each Rhodes piano depends more on the
adjustment and maintenance of the instrument than on the model. Early models had
hammers covered with felt, resulting in a smoother sound than the newer models,
which had neoprene-covered hammers. The suitcase piano featured a pre amplifier
which could create a sound with a very dominant mid range. But appropriate pre
amplifiers and equalizers can make a stage piano sound the same. The stage piano has
no power cord—just like an electric guitar.
The MkII has no resonance clamps in the treble range, unlike former models. This is
why it has a little less sustain in the treble range. The most significant differences in
terms of sound depend on how close to the pickup the tine is adjusted. When the tine
closer to the pickup the bell characteristic becomes more prominent. In the eighties,
many Rhodes pianos were adjusted so that they had more bell.
Rhodes Models
 Suitcase MkI
 Suitcase V2
 Bright Suitcase
 Stage Piano MkI
 Stage Piano MkII
 Bright Stage MkII
 Hard Stage MkII
 MarkIV
 Metal Piano
 Attack Piano
The Metal Piano and Attack Piano models feature idealized sound qualities that can be
aimed at with the original Rhodes instruments, but not achieved to the extent of these
models. These models may not sound realistic, but they represent ideals that the
Rhodes technicians might have had in mind when preparing their keyboards.