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Thanks for checking in! The restore project stalled at about 95% complete. I have started tuning it with a strobe tuner that I have, but had to pause because - life. I suspect that I will have more time starting around June of 2025. Once I get it tuned, I have to adjust the action a bit because when pressed, the sustain pedal works for many keys. However, there are small sections of keys, and a couple of individual keys, that won't sustain correctly.

If you have average hands-on skills, refurbishing it should be easy enough. Replacing the screws, grommets and washers was suggested other places, and did improve a couple of the tines which had bent screws and made them buzz against other tines when modifying the tine voicing (in relation to the pickups). Just have some patience while doing it. Yes, the project was worth it, to me.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I think I will be ordering the Vintage Vibe Refurb kit, then. I think it will be worth the effort. I plan to keep this Rhodes - likely forever. It is already an amazing sounding instrument. Getting into tip top shape will be worth the effort. @@adventuresinpianoing6189

Good to know! Thanks.

Thanks, Cristian.

I ordered the replacement legs at Vintage Vibe.

I agree. The restoration process is coming along pretty well. Sometime in the first quarter of 2023, I'm planning to have a real piano player come in to the studio for a video (an Iowa Jazz Hall of Fame inductee), and let me know his thoughts on the Rhodes sound and restoration so far.

For stripped screw holes, you could fill them in with small dowels and wood glue, then re-drill pilot holes for the screws.

That is the goal!

Have fun, and good luck to you! I've been enjoying the process of restoring mine. Fixing things is a process that I enjoy. The hard bit will be learning to play piano.

Unfortunately, no wooden keys. The MkII built in the 1980's changed to plastic keys. I'm still keeping my eyes open for a MkI from the 1970's, wooden keys and domed top. That was the original goal in finding a Rhodes at a decent price.

@@adventuresinpianoing6189 Those MKIIs can still sound amazing though. I have my father's '71 MKI Suitcase Seventy-Three that I use in a lot of my music. He was a classically trained Jazz pianist. In fact, if you are interested, there are two Christmas songs of his on my channel. A jazzy Rudolph, and Christmas Time is Here.

@@Rhythmicons I like both versions of the songs. Is that a photo of your Dad with Liberace in the "Christmas Time Is Here" video? Very cool!

@@adventuresinpianoing6189 Yeah, he was encouraged to go meet Liberace but didn't really want to. haha My dad passed in May, 2019. I grew up with him playing Chick Corea every day, so I tend to lean more Herbie and Chick than Wakeman/Emerson. Thanks for checking it out.

The prices in the United States right now are very similar to the prices you have in Sweden. Yes, I feel very lucky to have found a Rhodes for this price. Thanks for your comment!

And, even if you include the price of replacement legs and internal parts, I'm only up to about $1,100 USD for total cost of the Rhodes.

I'm not planning to replace any of the springs at this point. I only have one tine that buzzes too much for my pleasure, and that is when I'm releasing the key back to the resting position, and it is striking the damper felt. However, quite a few of the MKII's that I've seen have had the rubber platform under the highest tines replaced with two sets of screws/washers/grommets like the others in the piano. I might think about doing that upgrade.

@@adventuresinpianoing6189 that’s how mine is also setup at the highest tines. With 2 sets of screws and grommets, I believe that was stock on the MK1! Anyways seems like you’ve got a great instrument, nothing beats a Rhodes, enjoy it! I’ve got a video on my channel of me recording mine after the restoration and upgrades incase you wanna hear it. Cheers

I know! I was extremely happy to find the deal.

These are two of my favorite hobbies also. Thanks for subscribing. I should have another video on the tone bar spring situation soon.

I'm really enjoying learning the workings of the instrument, and one day, hope to have it in top notch condition. And, definitely not in a hurry with this. Thanks for your comment and advice.

Sounds like that will be a quick fix. I hope you are thoroughly enjoying it!

Yes, I will be posting an upcoming video where the Rhodes is being played. I, however, am not a keyboard player, so I would not do it justice. Once I put it all back together, I'll bring in a real keyboard player! :-)

I feel very fortunate to have bought this for $600. Prices for them are crazy right now. For now, I'm just going to use my old 1965 Fender Deluxe Reverb (not reissue) to preamp/amplify the Rhodes. I've got the next video almost ready to go. The script is written. I just need to record the segment. I'm a bit behind because my father-in-law passed away, and I had a round of COVID-19. But, I should be posting another video shortly. Thanks for your comment!

600 for a project Rhodes is a fair price.

@@adventuresinpianoing6189 OMG 600 bucks what a steal 👏 That Retro flyer makes the Mark 2 sound like butter

Agreed! I feel fortunate to have stumbled across this deal.

That's an unbelievable find! Typically I've seen prices for Rhodes in good condition but needing restoration running $1200-$2500. I would think even the rougher condition ones would fetch around $1000 if they're mostly complete.

Especially when you consider a brand new Rhodes mark 8 is $9000-$10000 depending on how you customize it. They're so amazing though. You can get built in effects and preamps, and just the incredible quality of them is astounding. Doctor Mix did a great video on the whole walkthrough of where/how they're made with some fun demos. I bet they're easier to maintain than the vintage ones, but there's some magic charm to the old ones with their wobbly keys and unstable tuning and quirky electronics.

True about a vintage instrument prices. The Vintage Vibe pianos look great, and I'd love to own one someday, but I am trying to stay on a fairly small budget for this project. I feel kinda lucky tracking down a Mark II in playable condition for a price that was in a range for me to purchase. Did you find one to purchase in your search? Thanks for the well-wishes, and I wish the same for you!

We have to stop being okay with those inflated prices. There were so many Rhodes made, and so many of them available for sale in various locations that we should be able to shop around and not be subjected to nonsense. That's four times the price for a suitcase in 2013.

Good to know! I've got a replacement set on the way. I'm probably going to change them all, just on principle, since they are approaching 40 years old. And, the white damper felts look in worse shape. Thanks for commenting!

@@adventuresinpianoing6189 The white felts on these are a very hard to find woven felt that although looks compressed, does a very good job. I always leave these old felts as they perform well in the main. Some of the new alterntives can cause noise on the note release. The same woven felt was used on the MKV piano as on these late MK2's.

@@goldphinga With the white felts, I'm getting some buzzing when I release the keys. There doesn't seem to be enough loft left in them to mute them cleanly, and they kinda buzz to a stop. I've ordered the Vintage Vibe replacements. Do you have an opinion of those?