1960s Maestro Rhythm King MRK-1 Vintage Drum Machine, Near-Mint w/ Ftsw
$1,199.99
$1,199.99
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Up for sale, a 1960s Maestro Rhythm King MRK-1 in collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original footswitch. This exceptionally well-kept vintage analog drum machine is the first of a number of iterations of the Rhythm King, arguably best known for its use by Sly Stone (who christened it the “Funk Box”), but used by a diverse array of artists including Stevie Wonder, J.J. Cale, and Jeff Tweedy.
The Rhythm King features 18 preset analog, pre-programmed rhythms, organized into three categories (Latin, American, and Traditional), including the Disco preset that was unique to the first iteration of the platform. These presets are accessed via a suite of brightly colored buttons, the Maestro’s signature cosmetic touch, and there are also manual percussion triggers for eight different analog sounds, dramatically broadening the unit’s functionality when it comes to live performance (the triggers can be engaged with or without a preset beat playing). There are controls for Volume and Speed, with a flashing Downbeat trigger indicator light, and this particular unit has been given a recent once-over to ensure optimal functionality.
This is an exceptionally clean example, with original smooth black tolex, spring-loaded plastic handle, and aluminum trim. All of the buttons are present, and the graphics on the black/silver front panel are pristine. The original two-prong power cable, footswitch, and 1/4“ output cable are all present, discreetly stored behind the original sliding door.
Preset Rhythms:
-Latin: Bossa Nova, Samba, Bolero, Ruma, Cha Cha, Mambo, Tango, Paso Doble
-American: Slow Fox, Slow Rock, Swing, Dixie, Shuffle, Go-Go, Disco
-Traditional: March Polka, Western, Waltz
Manual Percussion Triggers: Bass Drum, Snare, Hi-Hat, Cymbal, Tom, Bongo, Blocks, Clave
The Rhythm King features 18 preset analog, pre-programmed rhythms, organized into three categories (Latin, American, and Traditional), including the Disco preset that was unique to the first iteration of the platform. These presets are accessed via a suite of brightly colored buttons, the Maestro’s signature cosmetic touch, and there are also manual percussion triggers for eight different analog sounds, dramatically broadening the unit’s functionality when it comes to live performance (the triggers can be engaged with or without a preset beat playing). There are controls for Volume and Speed, with a flashing Downbeat trigger indicator light, and this particular unit has been given a recent once-over to ensure optimal functionality.
This is an exceptionally clean example, with original smooth black tolex, spring-loaded plastic handle, and aluminum trim. All of the buttons are present, and the graphics on the black/silver front panel are pristine. The original two-prong power cable, footswitch, and 1/4“ output cable are all present, discreetly stored behind the original sliding door.
Preset Rhythms:
-Latin: Bossa Nova, Samba, Bolero, Ruma, Cha Cha, Mambo, Tango, Paso Doble
-American: Slow Fox, Slow Rock, Swing, Dixie, Shuffle, Go-Go, Disco
-Traditional: March Polka, Western, Waltz
Manual Percussion Triggers: Bass Drum, Snare, Hi-Hat, Cymbal, Tom, Bongo, Blocks, Clave
