Amazing comparison! That`s exactly what I`ve been searching for. Also I`m interested in how can I make my 1979 suitcase sound like 1977. For me 1977 is the best by timbre. What are the main differences between them? Tines geometri, hammer tips geometri or their material, pickups wiring scheme or tone regulation block?
Love them all, but I think I would most like to own the first one with the Retro Flyer pre amp. The 1973 suitcase models look the coolest though, especially the last one, with the yellowish amp, but just not portable enough for any live gigs. I have a mark II, fifty four and have just ordered a new set of grommets from Avion Studios. I look forward to seeing how much they improve the performance as there are a few notes which are a little bit choked and lacking sustain, etc!
Excellent Video and music! OK, I just found a '73 Mark 1 Stage and currently have it at Avion Studios in Columbia, Missouri being restored - complete with the Retro Flyer Preamp. But I must say here, in this comparison, that the Rhodes Suitcase (#3 in your line up) with original Fender Preamp, has the most grit and groove... Although I must say I think you are digging in a bit more on that passage and perhaps drawing out a bit more of that low end rasp! All these sound amazing. But to me the Mark 2 sounds remarkably mid-rangy (and very much like a Wurly...very reed-like) in this comparison against the Mark 1s here. I grew up listening to Joe Sample and the Crusaders so thats kind of my old school "Go To" player and sound. On a more modern note I love Jeff Lorber a lot too.
Thanks Bill! Glad you like it! Well yes maybe I dig in a little more on #3 as the different sound of every Rhodes inspires you in a different way. Enjoy your Rhodes when it`s finished!
@@PianoRevolution Drove 6 hours one way and picked up my Rhodes (as opposed to having it shipped). It's absolute magic! I am extremely happy to have added the Avion Studios Retro Flyer preamp - adding stereo output and tremolo that was missing on my original Mark 1 Stage. Morgen at Avion went through the entire unit and replacing felts and grommets, tuning and adjusting the action. Mine is a player for sure!
Thanks! Well a Twin Reverb is one of the classic Rhodes-Amps - so definitely a good choice! As I don`t have one and it would be getting too loud in my studio room with it I got the Blues Jr. Tried out first a friends Blues Jr. and I liked it. So I haven't compared them directly.
Well they are two different unique instruments so they sound different ;) I think this is the great thing about vintage instruments - everyone has its own character!
@@PianoRevolution Most definitely. Even having worked in 2 different music stores in the past, I was just surprised! Those crystal clear bell-like high notes the mk1 gets just melt my soul. So great.
Ahh, that’s what I had thought but wasn’t sure if they were both at the same specs. Makes sense! Once again, superb job. I do wonder how a direct comparison between a MK2 suitcase with the Janus preamp would sound vs a MK1 suitcase. Thank you guys for your fabulous demonstration!
The direct outs of the Rhodes pianos went straight into the RME Babyface Pro. There the gain settings of the preamp could vary a little as the Rhodes doesn’t have the same output levels. The goal was to get about the same input levels. As this RME preamp is not coloring little variations don’t bother.
It´s a top class interface from RME so absolutely no worries about the sound quality. The preamps and converter are comparable to UAD Apollo for example.
@@life-is-inspiring3953 Thanks so much! I really appreciate it! We just wanted to show the pure sound of these 4 different Rhodes Pianos without any crazy signal chain afterwards.
What a stupid idea, having a bass guitar playing along with the Rhodes. How can you hear the lower registers of the Rhodes with a bass guitar masking the sound ?.
Love that Fender Rhodes sound...PERIOD
Hi! Even better with a mini moog, and a S.E.M Oberheim.. 💕☔️☔️☔️☔️😎
EXCELLENT video!!!
they all sound amazing. but the suitcase has always been my favorite. something about it's low end is extra funky. I just love it.
Great video. They all are classics and sound amazing !!
I love all of them. The Rhodes has such a uniquely beautiful sound.
Amazing comparison! That`s exactly what I`ve been searching for. Also I`m interested in how can I make my 1979 suitcase sound like 1977. For me 1977 is the best by timbre. What are the main differences between them? Tines geometri, hammer tips geometri or their material, pickups wiring scheme or tone regulation block?
Love them all, but I think I would most like to own the first one with the Retro Flyer pre amp. The 1973 suitcase models look the coolest though, especially the last one, with the yellowish amp, but just not portable enough for any live gigs. I have a mark II, fifty four and have just ordered a new set of grommets from Avion Studios. I look forward to seeing how much they improve the performance as there are a few notes which are a little bit choked and lacking sustain, etc!
The King of Electric Pianos.
Excellent Video and music! OK, I just found a '73 Mark 1 Stage and currently have it at Avion Studios in Columbia, Missouri being restored - complete with the Retro Flyer Preamp. But I must say here, in this comparison, that the Rhodes Suitcase (#3 in your line up) with original Fender Preamp, has the most grit and groove... Although I must say I think you are digging in a bit more on that passage and perhaps drawing out a bit more of that low end rasp! All these sound amazing. But to me the Mark 2 sounds remarkably mid-rangy (and very much like a Wurly...very reed-like) in this comparison against the Mark 1s here. I grew up listening to Joe Sample and the Crusaders so thats kind of my old school "Go To" player and sound. On a more modern note I love Jeff Lorber a lot too.
Thanks Bill! Glad you like it! Well yes maybe I dig in a little more on #3 as the different sound of every Rhodes inspires you in a different way. Enjoy your Rhodes when it`s finished!
@@PianoRevolution Drove 6 hours one way and picked up my Rhodes (as opposed to having it shipped). It's absolute magic! I am extremely happy to have added the Avion Studios Retro Flyer preamp - adding stereo output and tremolo that was missing on my original Mark 1 Stage. Morgen at Avion went through the entire unit and replacing felts and grommets, tuning and adjusting the action. Mine is a player for sure!
great video thanks! love the 1973 suitcase sound and the mk1 with the retroflyer preamp wow
Och kommt, das ist doch eine rhetorische Frage.^^ Nur beim Rhodes Mark 1 (1977) geht einem das Herz auf. :-)
Das ist mein eigenes, das liebe ich auch sehr 🥰
Nice & funky!
Thx David!
Love them all 😊
I've always really wanted to know what the super low notes sound like on an 88 key Fender Rhodes
Thanks for this excellent comparison! As I am searching for a nice amp for my Rhodes, do you recommend the Fender Blues Jr. over a Twin Reverb?
Thanks! Well a Twin Reverb is one of the classic Rhodes-Amps - so definitely a good choice! As I don`t have one and it would be getting too loud in my studio room with it I got the Blues Jr. Tried out first a friends Blues Jr. and I liked it. So I haven't compared them directly.
Okay thanks for your reaction. btw excellent playing also!
Why do 3 & 4 sound so different? I love the clean highs on #4.
Well they are two different unique instruments so they sound different ;) I think this is the great thing about vintage instruments - everyone has its own character!
@@PianoRevolution Most definitely. Even having worked in 2 different music stores in the past, I was just surprised! Those crystal clear bell-like high notes the mk1 gets just melt my soul. So great.
Awesome video, it is perfect! What are the differences between the two Mark I Suitcases?
Well they are just two different instruments, even when from the same year. And they do sound different, so it`s always a matter of taste.
Ahh, that’s what I had thought but wasn’t sure if they were both at the same specs. Makes sense! Once again, superb job. I do wonder how a direct comparison between a MK2 suitcase with the Janus preamp would sound vs a MK1 suitcase. Thank you guys for your fabulous demonstration!
Buena comparacion. Quizás el modelo de 1980 es el más endeble, el 77 suena más funky y los suitcase tienen mas presencia quizás debido al preamp
All'um 💯...
So the DAW for track 1 is seeing the direct output without any digital pre amp or internal gain?
The direct outs of the Rhodes pianos went straight into the RME Babyface Pro. There the gain settings of the preamp could vary a little as the Rhodes doesn’t have the same output levels. The goal was to get about the same input levels. As this RME preamp is not coloring little variations don’t bother.
Pretty sure that 3rd one isn't a 1973.
Nice sound; how good is the babyface pro compared to other interfaces when recording Rhodes?
It´s a top class interface from RME so absolutely no worries about the sound quality. The preamps and converter are comparable to UAD Apollo for example.
@@PianoRevolution thanks for the help info; and what’s the DI used here?
@@life-is-inspiring3953 just the direct line inputs of the RME Babyface
@@PianoRevolution incredible sound; I’ve kept on listening this. Great job!!
@@life-is-inspiring3953 Thanks so much! I really appreciate it! We just wanted to show the pure sound of these 4 different Rhodes Pianos without any crazy signal chain afterwards.
Number 3
Eu tive por 23 anos, um piano elétrico Fender Rhodes, era um instrumento e tanto
What a stupid idea, having a bass guitar playing along with the Rhodes. How can you hear the lower registers of the Rhodes with a bass guitar masking the sound ?.