Editing Rhodes piano (section)

===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>