The keyboard doesn’t even need an amplifier to make sound although much like an unplugged electric guitar, it will have a weak sound. The Suitcase Fender Rhodes contains a built-in amplifier which includes a tremolo feature. The keyboard is designed like a traditional piano although some models only have 73 keys instead of 88. Closing the gap between the tines and the pickup creates its signature ‘bell’ sound. The pickup sits directly opposite of the tines. Tines are thin metal rods that are connected to larger tone bars which reinforce the tine’s vibrations. The Rhodes signature soft sound is due the use of striking of tines when a key is hit. The Fender Rhodes is one of the most iconic keyboards of all time known for its mellow timbre and ‘bell-like’ sound.

As modeling has improved, the quality of these Rhodes plugins has only gotten better! And once you get your Rhodes piano up and running, here are some tips on mixing pianos. And soon enough, people began emulating Rhodes pianos. With the advent of synthesizers, electric pianos became increasingly popular. However, the keyboard was utilized by artists across all genres. Rhodes keyboards were extremely popular particularly in soul, pop and jazz music. The Fender Rhodes gained popularity in the 1970’s when it was mass produced after its sale to CBS Entertainment Group.

The Rhodes piano invented by Harold Rhodes is an iconic electric piano used by many big name artists such as The Beatles, Steely Dan, Billy Joel, The Bee Gees and The Doors.

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