I will be getting another Fender Rhodes keyboard in the shop next week for repair. Renshaw Music works on player pianos and reed organs also but I especially enjoy working on Rhodes keyboards.
Most of these great instruments that come to me are about 40 years old and the Rhodes owner is usually in love with the completely distinctive sound of these wonderful instruments. They are totally distinct from other pianos or keyboards because of the steel tines that vibrate when struck and produce that unique sound. My shop is one of the few that have a stock or original parts. The present day digital keyboard has interior parts that are really computer technology. A Rhodes is mechanical in that a striker strikes these steel tines and create vibration and then that pitch is amplified. There are even mechanical dampers like a piano.
The work on these instruments is in many ways like working on pianos with some additional understanding of electronic repair. Unlike working on a present day digital piano, however, these were not designed to be throw away instruments. With the right kind of care these instruments are almost indestructible. Even the most expensive digital piano is outdated and unusable after 40 years because of newer technology but a Rhodes that is maintained can continue to be an effective tool for the working musician.
I have a number of Rhodes customers in Chicagoland and a growing Rhodes business here in South Florida. If you are a Rhodes owner I would love to serve your maintenance needs.
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