K2600Vintage Electric Pianos User’s Guide
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Fender Rhodes
Produced from 1965-1986 in a number of variations of the original model, the Fender Rhodes is the most widely recognized
and easily identified electric piano sound in popular music. The Rhodes played an important role in defining some of the new
styles of music that began to emerge in the mid-sixties and early seventies, mainly jazz-fusion, disco and funk, and was
adopted quickly by other already established styles such as R&B, rock, pop, blues, and jazz. The Rhodes sound remains popu-
lar today and it can be found in a variety of settings: played live by blues, funk and jam bands among others, and on recordings
of hip-hop, pop, acid-jazz, and electronica.
Like most other electric pianos, the Rhodes produced its sound electromechanically, with a hammer mechanism striking metal
bars or “tines.” A damper pedal, much like the one found on an acoustic piano, provided sustain.
The two main models (of which there were a few variations) were the Suitcase Piano and the Stage Piano. The suitcase model
was introduced first. Featuring an enclosure equipped with an amplifier, speaker cabinet, and tremolo circuit, the original suit-
case model used hammers with felt tips, which were later replaced by ones with neoprene (hard synthetic rubber) tips. The felt
hammers gave the early suitcase models a slightly less-bright attack sound and a less-tight decay for each note. The Stage
Piano (which did not have an amplifier nor speaker cabinet) was introduced in the early seventies as a more portable alterna-
tive to the Suitcase model. Both models were replaced in 1979 by corresponding “Mark II” versions.
Wurlitzer
Similar in both its design and sound to the Rhodes, the Wurlitzer electric piano was nearly as popular, and actually pre-dated
the first Rhodes suitcase model. Two basic models were produced, of which there were a few versions: the 100 series, manu-
factured from c.1954-1967, and the 200 series, which continued from c.1967-1980. Most recordings of the Wurlitzer feature
one of the 200 series models.
Using a piano-type action with felt-tipped hammers to strike metal elements, called “reeds”, the Wurlitzer employed a damper
pedal mechanism to provide sustain, much the way the Rhodes did. The Wurlitzer was smaller than the Rhodes (most had 64
notes), and was available exclusively as a console, which sat on four metal legs. Most models came equipped with at least two
built-in speakers, and a tremolo circuit. The Wurlitzer produced a sound which had a slightly more narrow frequency range
than the Rhodes; it was “thinner” sounding, blending more easily with other instruments in a mix.
Hohner Pianet
Although featured prominently in a number of classic rock songs by The Beatles, The Zombies and others, the Hohner Pianet
remains a lesser-known instrument, its sound having often been mistakenly attributed to the Wurlitzer.
Produced from c.1962-1980 in various console models, the Pianet series differed from the Rhodes and Wurlitzer in a few
important areas. Sound was produced by metal reeds, which were plucked by a set of adhesive pads. Also distinguishing the
Pianet was the absence of a sustain pedal.
Hohner also manufactured the much more rare Electra-Piano (not to be confused with the RMI Electra-Piano) which featured
an enclosure resembling that of an upright piano. Reported to have a hammer mechanism very much like the one found in the
Rhodes, the Hohner Electra-Piano featured a built-in amp and four speakers. Led Zeppelin made this sound famous, employ-
ing it in a number of hits. Using our Pianet samples and bit of processing, we were able to craft some realistic imitations of the
Hohner Electra-Piano, and we’ve included them in the Pianet section of Vintage EPs.
