After the iconic "Jetsons" pianos of the late 60's, Rhodes introduced a new education series. These pianos were housed in a more subtle walnut veneered cabinet and featured an on board metronome and connections to a teacher module. The student can monitor with headphones or a built in 10 inch speaker. Under the hood, the tone producing components are the same as a 73 key stage piano. Sometimes referred to as the KMC 1 (Keyboard Music Center), there were also variations of this model designed for home use that had an on board cassette recorder.
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The electronic circuitry carried over from the earlier Jetsons design, and is rather primitive by today's standard. The amplifier is under powered and distorts relatively easily. It is essentially a single power module, just like the ones found in a Peterson era suitcase piano. However, with a proper setup, the piano still sounds and plays wonderfully.
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This particular instrument came to us for a "Works" level of service. Our restoration includes a fresh set of tonebar isolation grommets and screws/washer, hammer tip rotation, and a comprehensive strikeline and escapement setup. After voicing and tuning the piano, we modified the 1/4" output at the bottom of the amplifier to serve as a line out straight from the harp, bypassing all the other electronic circuitry. This jack is switched and cuts the on board speaker when engaged.
Please enjoy a couple videos of this piano in action! Performance by Matt Blocher at the Chicago Electric Piano Co.
[video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://chicagoelectricpiano.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Too-High-Stevie.mp4"][/video]
Too High - Stevie Wonder
[video width="720" height="900" mp4="https://chicagoelectricpiano.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Spain-Metronome.mp4"][/video]
Spain - Chick Corea (feat. on board metronome!)
