1974 Fender Rhodes Stage 73 Mk I Vintage Electric Piano w/ Legs, Pedal & Hangtags, Serviced

Up for sale, a 1974 Fender Rhodes Stage 73 Mk I electric piano in collector-grade condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hangtag, manual, and vinyl bag for the various hardware. Recently serviced, this 73 key Rhodes hails from the golden era of Mk I tone and playability, with the most highly desirable features of the early 73 key Mk I pianos including the wood/plastic hybrid hammers and flat key caps (a pairing available only from late '73-75). The tone and feel of the early Fender Mk I pianos is like nothing that came before or after. The sound is warm, dynamic, and the perfect blend of midrange fullness and top end chime. This piano has been professionally voiced, with smooth transitions from the lower, growly bass octaves to the bell-like notes in the highest registers. Complex chord voicings are clear and balanced, and the low end ranges from mellow, round bass notes with a soft touch to the famous Rhodes growl when you really dig in. The action is very smooth and consistent, with a quick and responsive feel. The original key bushings are in excellent shape, showing no excessive side to side wiggle and not sluggish in the slightest. One key structural element of the Fender Rhodes-era Mk I pianos special is the wood/plastic hybrid hammers that were retired by mid '75. These hammers strike with more authority than the later all-plastic style and were a significant upgrade in terms of longevity over the earlier all-wood hammers, while still retaining the feel and overall purpose of their predecessors. The original hammer tips are in excellent shape, as are the stock damper felts, and the flat key caps are level with only faint yellowing. The harp itself is extremely clean, retaining the original pickups, tonebars and tines. On the harp, the gold Fender Rhodes foil label is intact, and the wiring harness is original as well, with visible date codes on the CTS pots from the 1st week of '74, along with the original large brown molded tone cap. The faceplate retains the original pair of machined aluminum knobs, and the small "Fender Rhodes" logo on the namerail, the majority of the "Seventy Three" raised text on the rounded plastic harp cover, and larger "Fender Rhodes" badge on the back of the piano are all intact. The piano retains its original smooth black tolex, showing only very light wear on the enclosure edges. The curved black plastic harp cover is also original, and original hardware includes the handles, latches, corners, leg flanges and sphinx glides (feet). The piano comes complete with its original latching lid, legs (one of which is a modern replacement), crossbars and sustain pedal. The vinyl bag for the original hardware is also included, as is the hangtag and manual.