Editing Rhodes piano (section)

==History==

===Early models: Xylette, Pre-Piano ("Bantam Piano") and Piano Bass===
[[File:Prepiano.png|thumb|Rhodes's "Pre-Piano," first marketed in 1948]]
[[Harold Rhodes (inventor)|Harold Rhodes]] started teaching piano when he was 19. He dropped out of the [[University of Southern California]] in 1929 to support his family through the [[Great Depression]] by full-time teaching. He designed a method that combined [[classical music|classical]] and [[Jazz|jazz music]], which became popular across the United States,<ref name="obit">{{cite news
| title = Harold Rhodes, 89, Inventor of an Electronic Piano
| work = The New York Times
| first=Jon
| last=Pareles
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/04/arts/harold-rhodes-89-inventor-of-an-electronic-piano.html?scp=1&sq=fender%20rhodes&st=cse
| date=January 4, 2001
| access-date=November 6, 2013
| url-access=limited}}</ref> and led to an hour-long nationally syndicated radio show. Rhodes continued to teach piano throughout his lifetime, and his piano method continues to be taught today.<ref name="rpm">{{cite web|url=http://rhodespianomethod.org/history.html|title=History|publisher=Rhodes Piano Method|access-date=November 5, 2013}}</ref> He continually refined and updated the design of the instrument up to 1984.{{sfn|Lenhoff|Robertson|2019|p=212}}

By 1942, Rhodes was in the [[United States Army Air Corps|Army Air Corps]], where he created a piano teaching method to provide therapy for soldiers recovering from combat in hospital. From scrapped airplanes, he eventually developed miniature pianos that could be played in bed.<ref name="obit"/>{{sfn|Lenhoff|Robertson|2019|p=230}} He was discharged from the Army Air Corps in September 1944.<ref>"Wounded Men Amused By 'Lap-Model' Piano." Los Angeles Times, March 19, 1945, 6.</ref> He named his (non-amplified) lap instrument the "Xylette,"{{sfn|Lenhoff|Robertson|2019|p=230}} and a 1945 newspaper described its materials and their source: "The Xylette is being constructed by patients in the craft shops of the convalescent hospitals. The [aluminum] xylophone bars are made from discarded hydraulic systems, the plywood from hatchways, keys from the fuselage spruce, and hammers from the hardwood of the propellor."<ref>"Wounded Men Amused By 'Lap-Model' Piano." Los Angeles Times, March 19, 1945, 6.</ref>

On March 18, 1945, Rhodes visited the Santa Ana Army Base Convalescent Hospital, in [[Santa Ana, California|Santa Ana]], [[California]], bringing with him eight Xylettes, and having visited seven similar military hospitals across the U.S.<ref>"Wounded Men Amused By 'Lap-Model' Piano." Los Angeles Times, March 19, 1945, 6.</ref> When Rhodes had visited the Army's Fort Logan convalescent hospital, in [[Fort Logan, Colorado|Fort Logan]], [[Colorado]], a month earlier, he supervised construction of Xylettes and provided instruction, noting that "exercise afforded by a keyboard instrument is effective in the restoration of neuro-muscular coordination of fingers, hands and arms."<ref>"Use Bomber Parts to Build Pianos." The Daily Times (New Philadelphia, OH), February 16, 1945, 3.</ref> A ''[[Popular Mechanics]]'' article in June 1945 pictured recovering veterans playing their Xylettes at the Army's Ft. Thomas convalescent hospital, in [[Fort Thomas, Kentucky|Fort Thomas]], [[Kentucky]].<ref>"AF Vets Build Midget Pianos and Learn to Play Tunes in 21 Days." Popular Mechanics 83:6 (June 1945), 16.</ref>

Rhodes, in California, next developed an electrically-amplified 38-key instrument, again without strings—instead, using carbon steel rods and advertised as "never needing to be tuned." It was labeled the "Pre-Piano," also being advertised as the "Bantam Piano" to broaden its appeal.<ref>"Lyon & Healy introduce this fascinating new Bantam Piano for the home, the school, the club" (advertisement). Chicago Tribune, July 18, 1948, 5.</ref><ref>"See The World's Newest Baby Grand! The Bantam Piano" (advertisement, Campbell Music Company). Washington (DC) Evening Star, November 8, 1948, A-3.</ref> Its public debut was in Los Angeles on May 21, 1948, at the Broadway department store.<ref>"Twenty-Pound Bantam Piano Put on Show." Los Angeles Times, May 22, 1948, 3.</ref> Rhodes was present as demonstrator, as was songwriter [[Jimmy McHugh]]; by that date, Rhodes had built 100 of the instruments in his factory space at 2370 E. Foothill Blvd. in Pasadena.<ref>"Want to be a Piano Mover? Inventor Here Makes It Easy." Pasadena Independent, May 23, 1948, 18.</ref> 

By mid-1948 the Pre-Piano was being used for teaching in the Los Angeles public school system,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Seidkin |first=Phyllis |date=June 18, 1948 |title=Ex-Marine Enjoys Playing Tiny Piano in Show Window |work=[[The Press Democrat|Santa Rosa Press-Democrat]] |page=13 |publication-place=[[Santa Rosa, California|Santa Rosa]], [[California]]}}</ref> and was eventually adopted in other cities, including Chicago. Among Rhodes's promotional appearances away from Los Angeles was Chicago's Lyon & Healy music store, where he demonstrated the instrument between July 21 and 23, 1948.<ref>"Lyon & Healy introduce this fascinating new Bantam Piano for the home, the school, the club" (advertisement). Chicago Tribune, July 18, 1948, 5.</ref> During the summer of 1948 pianist and song-stylist Gwen Bari was Rhodes's representative and demonstrator in Philadelphia,<ref>"First Showing in the East, and Only at Gimbel's: The Bantam Piano" (advertisement). Philadelphia Inquirer, June 16, 1948, 14.</ref>—including a local television broadcast.<ref>"Demonstrations Daily, 1 to 3 p.m., by Gwen Bari" (advertisement, Kelley's furniture store). The Desert Sun, December 17, 1948, 9.</ref> She likewise appeared for promotions in Cleveland, New York, and Chicago.<ref>"Village Musicians Return From East." August 17, 1948, 5.</ref> Her husband and violinist-partner Gene Bari was Rhodes's sales agent in Palm Springs (CA), advertising the instrument at $189.50 with amplification either built into the instrument or as an outboard unit, though it "also plays without amplification."<ref>"Pre-Piano: The World's Smallest Baby Grand" (advertisement). The Desert Sun, May 7, 1948, 4.</ref> The instrument weighed twenty pounds by itself, and thirty pounds including its tubular base with attached seat, and the Baris were then using it in performances at Palm Springs' Desert Inn.<ref>"Midget Piano Delights Inn Guests." The Desert Sun, May 11, 1948, 8.</ref>

In 1958, Rhodes began a business affiliation with [[Leo Fender]] to manufacture instruments.<ref>Smith, Don. "Countian Produces Compact Instrument: Technical Ingenuity 'Shrinks' Bass Fiddle." The Register (Orange County, CA), April 15, 1962, 6.</ref> For Fender, Rhodes developed a 32-note [[keyboard bass]] approximating the string bass's range (E1-B3), known as the Piano Bass.{{sfn|Lenhoff|Robertson|2019|p=218}} The instrument introduced the design that would become common to subsequent Rhodes pianos, with the same [[Tolex]] body as Fender amplifiers and a [[fiberglass]] top. The tops came from a boat manufacturer who supplied whatever color happened to be available; consequently a number of different colored piano basses were produced.{{sfn|Vail|2000|p=266}}

Some recent, undocumented sources place Piano Bass manufacture as early as 1959. Actual production (for retail sale) in Fender's Fullerton plant, however, began early in 1962—following manufacture of prototypes that "[had then] been in use throughout the Southwest for more than a year."<ref>Smith, Don. "Countian Produces Compact Instrument: Technical Ingenuity 'Shrinks' Bass Fiddle." The Register (Orange County, CA), April 15, 1962, 6.</ref> The earliest-known national advertisement for the instrument was in Down Beat's July 1962 issue.<ref>"New: The Fender-Rhodes Piano Bass" (advertisement) Down Beat, July 1962, 38.</ref>

===Under CBS===
[[File:6f 1.png|thumb|left|A pre-1969 "Silvertop" Fender Rhodes Electric Piano]]
Fender was bought by [[CBS]] in 1965.<ref name="DayBurns36">{{cite book
| last = Day | first = Paul
| title = The Burns Book
| publisher = pp Publishing
| year = 1979 | page = 36 
}}</ref> Rhodes stayed with the company, and released the first Fender Rhodes piano, a 73-note model. The instrument comprised parts&nbsp;— the piano, and a separate enclosure underneath containing the power amplifier and loudspeaker. Like the piano bass, it was finished in black Tolex, and had a fiberglass top.{{sfn|Vail|2000|p=266}} During the late 1960s, two models of the Fender Rhodes Celeste also became available, which used the top three or four octaves, respectively, of the Fender Rhodes piano. The Celeste did not sell well and is now hard to find.{{sfn|Vail|2000|p=266}} In 1969, the fiberglass lid was replaced with vacuum-molded plastic; the earlier models became known retrospectively as "silvertops".{{sfn|Lenhoff|Robertson|2019|p=218}}

The Student and Instructor models were introduced in 1965.{{sfn|Lenhoff|Robertson|2019|p=218}} They were designed to teach the piano in the classroom. By connecting the output of a network of student models, the teacher could listen to each student in isolation on the instructor model, and send an audio [[backing track]] to them. This allowed the teacher to monitor individual students' progress.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.magnetmagazine.com/2010/10/03/pete-yorn-is-thinking-of-fender-rhodes/|title=Fender Rhodes|first=Pete|last=Yorn|journal=Magnet|date=October 3, 2010|access-date=January 30, 2014}}</ref> Production of educational models ceased in 1974.{{sfn|Lenhoff|Robertson|2019|p=218}}

In 1970, the 73-note Stage Piano was introduced as a lighter ({{convert|130|lb}}) and more portable alternative to the existing two-piece style, featuring four detachable legs (used in Fender steel pedal guitars), a sustain pedal derived from a Rogers [[hi-hat]] stand and a single output jack.{{sfn|Vail|2000|p=266-67}}{{sfn|Lenhoff|Robertson|2019|pp=213,218}} Although the Stage could be used with any amplifier, catalogs suggested the use of the [[Fender Twin Reverb]].<ref name="em">{{cite journal|year=2002|title=Rhodes Piano|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a3IJAQAAMAAJ|publisher=Polyphony Publishing Company|volume=18|issue=1–4|journal=Electronic Musician}}</ref> The older style piano continued to be sold alongside the Stage and was renamed the Suitcase Piano.{{sfn|Vail|2000|p=266-67}} An 88-note model was introduced in 1971.{{sfn|Lenhoff|Robertson|2019|p=218}}

The Rhodes became increasingly popular during the 1970s. In 1976, the company posted an advertisement claiming that of the top 100 ''Billboard'' albums featuring electric pianos, 82% of them used a Rhodes.{{sfn|Lenhoff|Robertson|2019|p=212}}

===Later models===
[[File:Rhodes Mark V.jpg|thumb|The Rhodes Mk V was the last model released by the original Rhodes corporation.|alt=]]
During the 1970s various changes were made to the Rhodes mechanics.{{sfn|Vail|2000|p=267}} In 1971 the hammer tips were changed to neoprene rubber instead of felt, to avoid the excessive need for regular maintenance, while in 1975 harp supports were changed from wood to aluminum. Although this made production cheaper, it changed the resonance of the instrument slightly. In 1977 the power amplifier design was changed from an 80 to a 100-watt model.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chicagoelectricpiano.com/rhodes/fender-rhodes-mark-i-vs-rhodes-mark-ii/|title=What is the difference between a Fender Rhodes Mark I and Rhodes Mark II?|date=May 5, 2012 |publisher=Chicago Electric Piano Company|access-date=January 30, 2014}}</ref> The Mk II model was introduced in late 1979, which was simply a set of cosmetic changes over the most recent Mk I models. A 54-note model was added to the range.<ref name="timeline">{{cite web|url=http://chicagoelectricpiano.com/rhodes/the-ultimate-fender-rhodes-timeline/|title=The Ultimate Fender Rhodes Timeline|date=February 10, 2013 |publisher=Chicago Electric Piano Company|access-date=January 30, 2014}}</ref>

The Rhodes Mk III EK-10 was a combination electric piano and [[synthesizer]], introduced in 1980 before CBS bought [[ARP Instruments]] in 1981. It used [[Voltage-controlled oscillator|analog oscillators]] and [[Voltage-controlled filter|filters]] alongside the existing electromechanical elements. The overall effect was that of a Rhodes piano and a synthesizer being played simultaneously. The instrument was unreliable with a problematic production, particularly when a shipment of 150 units to Japan caused interference with local television reception. Compared to the new [[polyphonic synthesizer]]s being marketed at the same time, it was limited in scope and sound, and very few units were sold.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.majorkey.com/cgi-bin/EK10.html|title=The EK-10|publisher=Major Key|access-date=January 30, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216170429/http://www.majorkey.com/cgi-bin/EK10.html|archive-date=February 16, 2015}}</ref>

The final Rhodes produced by the original company was the Mk V in 1984. Among other improvements, it had a lighter plastic body and an improved action that varied the dynamics with each note. The Mark V is the easiest of the original Rhodes pianos for touring musicians to transport.<ref name="timeline"/> Rhodes pianos produced under the original run had an inconsistent quality as the company wanted to mass-produce the instrument.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hammondhire.com/advice.htm|title=Advice on buying a Classic|publisher=The Hammond Hire Company|access-date=January 30, 2014}}</ref>

During the late 1970s and 1980s, Chuck Monte manufactured an after-market modification to the Rhodes, known as Dyno My Piano.<ref name="em" /> It included a lever that moved the relative position of the tines to the pickups, modifying the sound, and fed the output signal through additional electronics.{{sfn|Vail|2000|p=267}} This sound was emulated by the [[Yamaha DX7]] with a patch known as the DX7 Rhodes that was popular during the 1980s, and caused several players to abandon the Rhodes in favor of the DX7.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Techno Primer: The Essential Reference for Loop-based Music Styles|last=Verderosa|first=Tony|publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation|year=2002|isbn=978-0-634-01788-9|page=120}}</ref>

===After CBS===
{{quotebox|quote=It’s impossible to reinvent an instrument as iconic as the Rhodes piano. So we’re not going to try.
|source=Matt Pelling of Rhodes Music Group, as quoted by Mark Gilbert of ''[[Jazz Journal]]'' (October 8, 2024) [https://jazzjournal.co.uk/2024/10/08/the-rhodes-piano-alive-and-well-in-a-london-basement/]|width=17%|align=left}}
In 1983, Rhodes was sold to CBS boss William Schultz,<ref name="obit"/> who closed the main factory in 1985<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.majorkey.com/mk2/about.html|title=About us|publisher=Major Key|access-date=January 30, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321072609/http://www.majorkey.com/mk2/about.html|archive-date=March 21, 2013}}</ref> and sold the business to the Japanese corporation [[Roland Corporation|Roland]] in 1987. Roland introduced [[digital piano]]s known as the Rhodes MK80 and MK60 in 1989, and were essentially re-engineered versions of Roland's own [[Roland MKS-20|RD-1000]] (which they closely resembled), but Harold Rhodes disapproved of the instruments, which were made without his consultation.<ref name="obit"/>

[[File:Rhodes Mark 7 (rear), Expomusic 2010.jpg|thumb|The Rhodes Mark 7 was released in 2007.]]
Rhodes re-acquired the rights to the Rhodes piano in 1997. By then, he was in ill health and died in December 2000.<ref name="obit"/> In 2007, his former business partner Joe Brandstetter acquired the rights to the name and re-formed Rhodes Music Corporation.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://allthingsgear.com/rhodes-instruments-possible-return/|title=Rhodes instruments may be returning under new self-ownership|magazine=All Things Gear|date=July 13, 2021|accessdate=February 2, 2022}}</ref> The company introduced a reproduction of the original electric piano, the Rhodes Mark 7, housed in a molded plexiglass enclosure.<ref name="NAMM">{{cite web|title=Rhodes Reborn Just In Time For Winter NAMM '07|publisher   = Gearwire.com, January 8, 2007|url=http://www.gearwire.com/rhodes-returns.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928214251/http://www.gearwire.com/rhodes-returns.html|archive-date = September 28, 2011}}</ref> 

In 2021, a new company, Rhodes Music Group Ltd, was formed by the audio company [[Loopmasters]] who licensed the trademark rights from Brandstetter.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/new-rhodes-electric-piano|title=Rhodes returns: iconic electric piano brand is back with the promise of new keyboards|magazine=Music Radar|first=Ben|last=Rogerson|date=July 12, 2021|accessdate=February 2, 2022}}</ref> They announced a new model, the MK8, in development.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/new-rhodes-electric-piano|title=Rhodes returns: iconic electric piano brand is back with the promise of new keyboards|first=Ben|last=Rogerson|work=Music Radar|date=July 12, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.musicradar.com/news/rhodes-mk8-electric-piano|title=New Rhodes electric piano confirmed: the MK8 is coming soon|first=Ben|last=Rogerson|magazine=Music Radar|date=September 1, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2021}}</ref> The MK8 was made available for pre-order in November with 500 units planned for production in 2022.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://reverb.com/news/details-rhodes-mk8-price-features|title=Details on the New Rhodes MK8 Are Finally Here|magazine=Reverb|date=November 1, 2021|access-date=November 1, 2021}}</ref> The MK8's case was designed by [[Axel Hartmann]] and its electronics were designed by former [[Moog Music]] technician Cyril Lance. At {{convert|75|lb}}, it is significantly lighter than earlier models.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/rhodes-mk8|title=Rhodes MK8|first=Huw|last=Rees|magazine=Sound on Sound|date=January 2022|accessdate=February 2, 2022}}</ref>