Fender Rhodes
The Rhodes Piano enjoyed nearly 20 years of success as a professional keyboard, constantly being improved and redesigned by Harold Rhodes and his engineering team. What began as a tool for teaching music evolved into the keyboard of choice for jazz and R&B players in the 1970's.Fender Rhodes Mark I (1969-1975)The Fender Rhodes product line evolved quickly as the 1970's began. The 73-key Electric Piano was renamed the Fender Rhodes Suitcase Piano in 1969, featuring a black harp cover and a stereo 80W amp, and by 1970 the Fender Rhodes Mark I Stage Piano was available. The Stage Piano was the piano top from the Suitcase model, modified for use with an external guitar or bass amplifier. The Stage model featured detachable legs (parts from a Fender pedal steel guitar), a sustain pedal and pushrod (part of a Rogers hi-hat stand), and a simplified front panel with only volume and bass EQ controls. Internally, the Stage Piano was nearly identical to the Suitcase model.
