My $25 1972 Fender Rhodes Found in a Barn in East Texas
My $25 1972 Fender Rhodes Found in a Barn in East Texas
For years I have wanted a Fender Rhodes. Every time I see one on craiglist I think about pulling the trigger and buying. Then my dad tells me he has a present for me… a 1972 Fender Rhodes Mark 1a that he bought from a barn in East Texas for just $25. It needs some work, but I can’t wait to restore this thing. Finally I have my Fender Rhodes!
I bought a mint B-3 a few years ago for $40.00. Ended up selling it for $2600.00.
YOU Lucky Dog!! I guess we all have our once in a lifetime moments, I had mine in the 80s with a 69 Les Paul & a 64 Fender Twin.
You ever get it fixed up?
how it ends up?
Nice!
Very cool project. I broke my back in college carrying the Fender Rhodes from my Dodge van to and from each gig (I was the guitarists, so I should have just carried my light guitar). Man those things are heavy! It’s got a great sound; hopefully you get it back to great working order.
I am impressed!! You got one of the best ones. This is the first time I have seen one that looks exactly like the one that I bought in 1976. Most of them don’t have that standard guitar type 1/4 inch output. I have always played mine through a Fender Twin Reverb amp that I bought with it. I am glad I kept it, but it’s heavy, and I don’t take it out very often. I had to put extra springs on the rear of my Dodge Dart so I could put it in the trunk. The date on mine says 1971. It can be seen on a few of my postings, here’s one: https://youtu.be/demqUpGHtAQ
Oooh. You’re lucky! <3 🙂
Hey m’y friends im french i dont speak english, j’aurais voulu savoir où j’aurais pu trouver un piano fender comme le tiens ? Peut tu m’aider ? Thinks m’y friends
Wow what a find. Lucky guy!
Fantastic. How about just replacing the broken or missing parts?
sweet find! I need to stumble appon a steal of a deal!
With your music studio finished, I hope you can get back to the Fender Rhodes. Very interested how it’s coming (or not coming along). Sounds like all parts are replaceable so hope it goes well.
You are a very lucky guy
Great find… I need to roam around small towns around here🙂. Thanks Kennis
I’ve always dreamed of owning a real Rhodes piano, that’s a shockingly good deal
What a steal! Let us know if there is anything we can do to help repair / restore this piano!
Was just blessed with a Mark 1 73…. looking forward to your next update!!!!
I don’t even know If I could handle the poker face. My eyes would just pop my face and I’d probably collapse xD
Wow!
Nice Rhodes! I was just given a 1973 Mk 1 by my brother. I am having to restore mine as well. I hope it all goes well.
What a great project! Best of luck!
Any updates, Kennis?
That’s a real bargain! How is the project going?
A buddy of mine(bass player in our band) found a Pedaltrain Classic with a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 attached, in the metal hard case with a MXR Phase 90 and an assortment of accessories at a little pawn shop behind a bunch of broken speakers, amps, and other various gear. Asked the guy how much. He said,"Don’t even remember where I got that, I’ll let you have it all for a hundred bucks." He called me and before he got to the metal case describing it I said,"Get It Now!" All in mint condition and I’ve been using it for a few years now. Straight outta that Pawn Pickers show. Hard to find deals like that with eBay, Reverb and other websites.
So, Kennis, how’s the Rhodes going?
Hows the rhodes doin? would love a follow up vid
Kennis it’s been 4 years, please tell me it’s either restored, or you were waiting for me to reach out so I can take it off your hands 🙂
Great find ! Good luck on the restoration, it’s a long and tedious but amazing and very rewarding project !
Any updates???
Good deal bro.
I bought a Rhodes at a pawn shop for $100. Sold it to Stephen Stills’ keyboard player.
You are one lucky sob. So jealous.
does he have any more? 25$… holy cow 🙂 🙂 🙂
Good luck on the restoration! It’ll be great. One hint: Some of the replica replacement parts available for these instruments are not very good. Before you buy a kit to "replace everything," you should carefully assess what really needs replacement and keep all the original parts that you can. I would recommend RetroLinear as a source of both original and replica parts, and to give you some advice along the way. (And, no, I have no relationship with them beyond being a satisfied customer.)
I could only wish that a bargain like that would fall in my lap.
Looks in pretty good shape apart from the grime, doesn’t look like it’s been gigged to death like the one I used (sob) to have!
Great find you lucky git!! 😉 Enjoy…..
I want to see the restoration. You’re surely not still doing it 4 years later
My brother al Dimarco played one of those a lot in the seventies. i always loved the unique sound of them even thought you dont hear them much amymore. he mave a pedal setup he can sell you .you can see his videos son here,search my new nieghborhood.
Make more Videos about it!!!
The Rhodes pianos are coming back! 🙂
no way on gods green earth I’d pay $1000 for a rhodes. I’ve only bought a couple in the 90s/2000s and they were $100 each back then, in about the same or a little better condition than this one. I could have bought a fairly nice 88 with satellite cabinets for $500 in the late 90s. I decided to let the guy have it back. I probably should have kept that one. it actually had pretty good action on the keys. a lot of these had a crappy, spongy key action depending on the action design or materials they wanted to use that month. there was just too much quality inconsistency in them. but when they’re right, there’s nothing else that sounds like one. a lot of the newer keyboards are close, but not quite there.
Hey Kennis – I just acquired a 79 Rhodes- how did your restoration go??
Also check the miracle mod upgrade on the Vintage Vibe Youtube channel 😉
Just got my wife a 69 sparkle top and it sounds amazing! enjoy your rhodes and hopefully she comes out amazing!
Holy Moly! and Great Googly Mooglies! What a find! So glad I found your channel yesterday. Been going through your content since last night. Keep ’em coming.
Kennis, have you done a follow up on this… Have you started on it yet?
Wow great find. Should be a breeze to set right. Great that you can still get the kits.. As long as the pickups are still intact you’re good.
Thats awesome. I wouldn’t go too over the top with the restoration personally. This has 45 years of character – Mojo – patina whatever you want to call it.
You wouldn’t replace every screw or pickup cover on a 59 Les Paul?
Get it in a playable state sure, clean it up but learn to love the scratches on the tolex or rust specs on the screws. Just my humble opinion for what its worth.
You’re onto a winner whatever you do really. Good luck. I cant wait to hear it played.