Rhodes Mark V Stage Piano

Rent one of the rarest Rhodes pianos, a culmination of 20 years of Fender Factory knowledge into an ultimate piano.

Spain by Chick Corea

Check out this video to hear Chick playing this exact Rhodes Mark V for the Fender Rhodes documentary.  It was great fun to take a nearly mint, untouched factory Rhodes and really go overboard to maximize its true potential.  This rare Mark V has the largest potential for dynamic range you’ll find, due to its internal redesign by the Fender factory.  You can’t possibly be disappointed in how much of a joy it is to play, with a vibrant and present tone.

Mint Condition

Fully Restored, Far Better Than Factory Performance

Only a Few Thousand Made

Sounds Insanely Good

1984 Rhodes Mark V Stage Piano

Almost completely untouched in a home for 30 years, it’s since been touched by Chick Corea, Patrice Rushen and more from Down The Rhodes: The Fender Rhodes Story.  The last model of Fender Rhodes pianos, the Mark V is the final evolution of the vintage Rhodes.  A super clean sounding and perfectly performing piano with a smooth, even tone and action.

  • Completely stock and original
  • Mono 1/4″ output
  • Complete with original stand, sustain pedal and rod, and travel lid

What we did

Action, Keys, Harp, Voicing, Electronics and more 

The Rhodes Mark V is one of the most highly sought after Rhodes pianos, yet sometimes is misunderstood. In doing the documentary film and book on the Fender Rhodes, we had the opportunity to talk with CBS Fender Rhodes employees – namely Steve Woodyard and Mike Peterson – who were the core people that designed and implemented the Rhodes Mark V production. Many improvements and modifications to the design were made in this “last attempt” at making the best Rhodes piano.

Action and Keys

One of the biggest changes was a redesigned hammer curve, making the Mark V the instrument with the greatest potential for dynamic range – it can bark louder than them all when set up right. The lighter ABS case did reduce weight, a modular stand made set up easier, and a number of smaller improvements were introduced.

  • Removed keys from the case and cleaned the action bed entirely

  • Brushed the key pedestal felts clean and back rail felt

  • Tightened key bushings for guide rail and balance rail pins

  • Meticulously leveled the keys

  • Leveled the hammers, improving an equal hammer throw across the piano

  • Adjusted damper felts for tight note-offs

Harp: Voicing, Position, Tune

This Mark V came from a one-owner home who was not a gigging musician. You can immediately tell that this Rhodes barely saw any use. When I initially purchased it, I spent the next few months pouring myself over this piano, adjusting it time and time again to where the tone was remarkably even, the “bark” was prominent, and aligning everything with an exactness that it should have had from day one.

  • Escapement was correctly set for the instrument

  • The harp strike line was properly located – it wasn’t correct from the factory

  • Multiple voicing passes yielding a uniform tone and dynamic bark

  • Full tuning to equal temperament

  • Pickups are all in fantastic condition with no evidence of corrosion

Hardware Condition

There is no evidence of corrosion anywhere. Everything was meticulously cleaned, from the case lid to the sustain pedal, and the whole rig looks absolutely brand new. There is one blemish on the harp cover towards the right side, and only light marks on the lid and around the instrument consistent with a 37 year old Rhodes.

  • Polished original sustain pedal and original satin chrome Rodgers sustain rod

  • Sustain pedal is super mint: had its original feet and even the Heyco guide bushing for the rod which is almost always missing

  • All 6 butterfly latches on travel lid are working, unbent, and close correctly

  • Original stand still has its 4 locking pins to the underside of the piano

  • All harp cover side clamps are present to secure the lid

Office Location

Los Angeles, CA 91406

Open Hours

Monday – Friday: 8am – 6pm PST
Saturday & Sunday: 10am – 5pm PST

Email

info@retrorentals.net