All user reviews for the Rhodes Mark II Stage 73

The Rhodes Mark II 73 is a very high quality electric piano that is very portable you can take it anywhere with you. Its got a built in vibrato and volume control like most all other Rhodes do.


didn't try any other models when looking for this. There's really nothing to compare it to unless it's replicating the sound of this instrument, in which case it's not worth it, because nothing I've heard does an accurate job. Lesser men will say that a Wurlitzer is better or that the Rhodes sounds like a Wurlitzer but the tone is so different in my mind that they aren't really comparable. 


Honestly, the instrument is the only one of its kind, so finding a good deal on it is definitely the way to go. There's not a whole lot of other options out there, and if you know you want the Rhodes, you have to get one eventually. I've seen them go for about $2,000, which in my mind is totally worth it. 


The sound is arguably my favorite keyboard sound; it's rich, smooth and "creamy". It's definitely got more of a ringing, bell-like quality than the Wurlitzer, and it usually is less dirty than that keyboard. This can change when it is played through an amp, which also gives it a great tone that's distinct from going through a DI. Through a Fender amp the tone gets a little crunchier, which some players prefer. It's definitely great for jazz (especially fusion and jazz from that era, mid-to-late 1970s), R and B, and even rock; Steely Dan used it a lot on their recordings. It's been used by Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and countless others. You've definitely heard it on many recordings, whether you realized it or not. I can't say enough about how great it is, it's one of a kind.  You will love the Mark II Stage 73 as well, if you can find one and get your hands on it.

Before him, I had a Roland RD 700 GX, but I missed the live side of the instrument that vibrates on your fingers, reacts mechanically and physically.
So I decided to go to "True".

My Mark II is 1980, so he still touches of wood, a little intoxicating smell of vintage instrument, and he offers me his hand more than I expected.
Say it was a shock, it is not comparable to samples of Rhodes found in the Roland RD700 GX, or even the Motif XS8.
We understand immediately that a "real instrument with its mechanics' will always be a warm side and living much more rarely found on the current keyboard.

In short, you'll understand my Mark II I love it, and does not part with it any time soon

I have since March 2001, bought 7,000 francs, it dates from 83: he did concerts and studios repeated without flinching, and without much dsaccorder.

most: the sound and even sound, and touch, and sensual relationship that cre between the hand and this pretty bte. a great point to its ability to be heard on, with two notes at the bottom of mix or a little tremolo handmade in volume knob.

minimum: this little bastard has a hammer that has a tape Desax and cot from its stem: so I lost a note and ca not look easy arparer. Other less, but should not be held against him: Rhodes Mark II 73 with his flight and feet in rows: 73 kilos! or almost: prvoir a nice friend.

I tried the suitcase models, which cost three times, c'tait not possible, I tried the plugin and imitations yamaha: sometimes more convincing than a clavinet but hey, it's the same after that We tried the Rhodes, it will spend more

7000 francs: there's no a shit, it's the bargain price of anecdotal master keyboard with insufficient samples inside. The Rhodes is one!
With the exprience I rchterai a Rhodes or another, I do not know yet ... Or may be an upright piano and two dmnageurs Brittany .... Or I sell everything and I buy a mini-market

Bought 2 years ago, through state (never rvis!) But comes with a big Peavey bass amp, all for 12oo euros. Challenged by Marcel tat "the living legeng" Bourdon, who had also highly recommended to take a Mark 2, Because touch much more Russian than the Mk1 whose keys are "long time" before rising .
Dtail which is very important, it has wooden keys, a touch more piano keys that Mark2 plastics. These are nammoins good instruments, but buy less for that reason.

Since then, he in the throne room of the apartment or my children and I use it as the acoustic piano as the lack of soundproofing forbids us to have. My pop / jazz suits him a little better than Mozart to my son, but in the end everything goes pretty well on a Rhodes, and when I rvise an invention of Bach, I remember that the great Jean-Sebastien heard them at harpsichord, piano n'tant not of this world.

Too heavy to the taste of my lower back, I did not used to scne.

With exprience, I do it again this election, Obviously! For less than a clavinova shit, you have a real instrument ...

Another little more than the Mark1: flat hood, which can be a synthesis of scne, a real book or a flower pot (??!!!) home.

I use this instrument for the past four years. Rhodes is the most reputable in the end, there really throw anything away. I can not be objective on the report quality price since I was given this piano (I know, some will be dgouts). It is in perfect agreement and state.
I recommend using it with an amp / prampli lamp, even low-end. BEHRINGER MIC100 TUBE ULTRAGAIN a more than adequate for recording the condition of not pushing the volume and gain (the pramp) melts under penalty of having a sound dgueu.
I do not spare any of this instrument in prtexte (less really be Street). Sound and touch are truly inimitable.

For how long have you been using it?
2 years

Did you try many other models before getting this one?
Rhodes Mk1 Suitcase 88

What is so special that you like best?
Bran, grain, hit ... inimitable.
The fans say that Rhodes VSTi emulations sound as good ... it's the frustration that makes them say that! Never a virtual instrument will not duplicate the grain inimitable instrument, and then each person differently Rhodes (like any instrument factory). Hear the sound of hammers tap on the keel blocks, it's magic
+ Other: the cover plate that can be a different keyboard / synth or a pack of beer or other ^ ^

What is so special that you like least?
The wear tips

What is your opinion about the value for the price?
Excellent. Compared to some vintage keyboards with prices soaring, the price of Rhodes in general remains stable.

Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?
Yes without hesitation

Any advice?
Pair it with a tube amp like "vintage tube preamp Speakeasy Suitcase" is royal! It also supports all sorts of effects pedals (good quality of course), wah-wah, tremolo, ring modulator ...

The Rhodes Mark II Stage 73 is an electric piano designed for portability, hence the name. I don't think that you'll find too many people lugging these around to gigs anymore, but it's still an awesome electric piano for use in the studio or otherwise. There's not all that much that sets this particular model apart from the other Rhodes Stage pianos, but it's of the same quality as almost any of them in my opinion. These were made in the late 1970's and early 1980's, but as far as I know it's pretty similar to the Mark I. Of course this model has 73 keys and stands on it's own legs, although it's still quite heavy and isn't as easy to bring around as the 'Stage' name would imply. It's got built in vibrato and volume control as you'll get with most of the Rhodes, but beyond that there isn't much control and to be honest you really don't need much as this thing sounds great off the bat. I'm in love with the sound of a Rhodes in general, and this is definitely a bona fide Rhodes. To me it's one of my favorite keyboard sounds, if not my favorite. I don't know that I'd recommend the Mark II Stage 73 over any of the Mark I's or the Mark III, but it's definitely a great Rhodes that will give you this classic sound. I'm not sure how readily available this particular model is as I've only used it at a friends house and haven't seen it elsewhere. I would think they aren't around as much as the Mark I's since they were made longer, and in my opinion unless you can find a Mark II cheaper, there's no real reason to go with it over a Mark I. The bottom line is that you really can't go wrong with the Mark II Stage 73 if you're looking for a Rhodes for any purpose...