1975 RHODES MARK 1 - SEVENTY-THREE
REBUILT AND RESTORED

Sourced from the warehouse of a legendary East Texas instrument dealer, this keyboard came to me ridden hard and put away wet. Someone definitely gigged this thing hard back in the day as it had casters bolted straight to the case, the tolex was half off, and it has a handful of cigarette (or jazz cigarette) burns on the keys. Keys around middle C from A to E have indents from someone’s thumb slamming down there for years. I like to imagine the original owner was an A-minor crooner. The plastic harp cover has some scratches that I can only imagine ended up there from textural ash tray. This board had not been used in sometime as sections of the key bed were seized and there was plenty of dirt and grime on this board.

The coolest thing about this model is it is a transitional Rhodes, meaning the internal guts are that of the early 70s “golden era” Fender Rhodes models with wood end cheeks, woods keys, and sounds just like all those classic records we know and love. Externally it is badged as a Rhodes and not Fender Rhodes, but still has the early style case hinges on the lid. Wood keys and wood / plastic hammers like the early Fender Rhodes too.

Upon initial inspection all the original pickups were functioning and all the tines looked to be original and sounding good, thus is seemed like a good candidate to rebuild and put back in service for a studio, touring act, serious musician, or collector of vintage instruments. Biggest issue on this board was rebuilding the action from the ground up including new bridle straps and damper arms to actuate effective note muting.

When this board came to me it had an active Janus or Peterson 5 pin preamp with it but no accompanying suitcase speaker cabinet or satellite speakers. I installed a passive Vintage Vibe preamp circuit as the serial number and model badge reads as a Stage 73. If you are interested in the active preamp with tremolo it will need to be restored by an external tech. External power supply preamp boxes are available for purchase from Avion which would allow you to take 1/4” out run it straight to a mixer or stereo amp.

This keyboard has been torn down and completely rebuilt over the course of a few months. Service and restoration services performed include:

• Interior and exterior cleaning

• New black F-style tolex and case hardware

• Cabinet reinforcement with new staples

• Polishing of legs and flanges

• Stretch tuning and voicing

• Key pin polishing

• Key leveling and lubrication

• Key easing

• Pickup and tone bar polishing

• Replacement of select dead tines with period correct tines

• Miracle molded action

• New damper arms

• New bridle straps

• New tone bar screws and grommets

• New damper felts

• New pedestal felts

• New balance rail felts

• New front rail felts

• New rear rail felts

• New name rail felt

• Name rail shim

• New Vintage Vibe control electronics and name plate

• New RCA jack

• New Vintage Vibe name rail logo and case logo

• Added keyframe support screws through bottom of case for durability and stability

See the video demo below for sound examples. Don’t judge my jazz notes too much, been playing way more guitar these days!

For inquiries about servicing or purchasing a Rhodes,
please contact me at rhodesrescue@geoffreymutchnik.com

1975 Rhodes Mark I (SN: 42473)

• Condition: Restored vintage

• Full cosmetic restoration, full internal restoration, miracle mod, updated electronics

• Original sustain pedal, legs, leg bag, cross bars and new reproduction cross bar knob

• This piano is being sold as-is and comes with no warranty as it is a vintage instrument

Shipping & Delivery:

• This keyboard is currently located in East Texas. I’m happy to hand deliver to the purchaser from Texas to Tennessee

• Insured freight shipping can be discussed at buyers expense

• Piano will be shipped within 96 hours of payment clearing

• Seller is not responsible for any damages incurred during shipping. Insurance is REQUIRED for freight

Inspection and Returns:

• Buyer is encouraged to inspect and test the piano before purchase (local pickup only).

• This item is sold as-is. No returns or refunds will be accepted. If something is not to your liking I will do my very best to remedy the situation at delivery.

Feel free to send this private listing to anyone who may be interested.

I also have a 1980 Rhodes Mark II Eighty-Eight available.

Thanks for stopping by!