Custom Shop: 1971 Fender Rhodes Suitcase 73

Custom Shop: 1971 Fender Rhodes Suitcase 73
May 22, 2015 Max Brink
In Rhodes

Here is the latest Custom Restore Fender Rhodes from the workshop:

Ira Rhodes With Logo

The most recent Fender Rhodes piano to leave our custom shop is this fully restored 1971 Fender Rhodes Suitcase 73. Inspired by the original design of pianos from this era, we used classic black tolex, silver grille clothe, and added our own walnut cheek blocks. The tone bars were re-plated with a thin layer of zinc chromate finish providing that classic Fender tone bar sparkle. Have a look:

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Another upgrade for this Rhodes is that it features a set of four vintage 12″ Utah speakers. (You may have already noticed the metal dust covers). The speakers belonged to the owner of the Rhodes and were re-coned by our friend Mick at J&J Speaker Repair. The metal dust covers that add a hidden flare to the suitcase–and they sound incredible! 

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utah speaker 2

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…And as always we promise that it sounds even better than it looks!

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Comments (7)

  1. Phil Christensen 8 years ago

    Beautiful! I’ve got a nice 1979 flat top 73, but it’s solid state. I’ve been keeping my eyes open for an earlier model, with nice warm tubes. Is this one?
    Thanks, Phil

    • mbrink 8 years ago

      All of the Rhodes, with the exception of the first prototypes are solid state. The earliest design had a Fender Twin Reverb amplifier built into it but it was for all practical purposes a prototype.

  2. Neil Rosengard 8 years ago

    What a beautiful job it makes me feel proud! The piano originally belonged to my father Ben Arden the band leader at the old Empire Room in Chicago I know he would be proud thank you !

  3. HURRICANE PRODUCTIONS 8 years ago

    1869 BEACON STREET AND THE KING ARTHUR MOTEL REMINDS ME OF THE OLD DAYS IN BAHSTON. PACK FAIR AND SQUARE.

  4. Jeff Rosner 6 years ago

    Beautiful! I’ve got Walnut cheek blocks on my personal 1974 Fender Rhodes Stage 73 with all the internal tricks as well.

  5. Robert F 2 years ago

    Hi Max.

    Great job an all your pianos. i noticed the re-coned Utah speakers with the silver domes. Are the domes aluminum, or painted? I believe I mentioned that back in the the 70’s I would install JBL D120’s if the owner wanted them – 2 8ohms wired in series. Really added some weight to the speaker cab, but the sound was excellent.

    • Author
      Max Brink 2 years ago

      The speakers were re-coned by another shop that isn’t around any more. They are aluminum.

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