Weekends
on February 11, 2014
at 12:01 am
(yes)
In the last panel, Rachel is referring to a Rhodes Electric Piano, which is a very cool instrument. It has keys that kick hammers like on a regular piano, but rather than striking strings, they strike tuned metal tines (bells – like an over-sized glockenspiel). Each of these bells has a magnetic pickup (like on a guitar) that translates the physical motion of the bell into an electrical signal. Plug this signal into an amp – particularly a tube amp with just a touch of overdrive – and you’re in EP tone heaven.
I have some rather pretty pictures of my amplifier project to show off, but they’ll have to wait until Thursday. See you then!
I remember the Rhodes! My wife and I play in church groups, and one church we attended, about 25 years ago, used a Rhodes as the portable keyboard. For its time, it had a decent piano fell, and great sound. I remember one note was out of tune. I was able to move a wax covered coil on the end of the chime bar with a soldering iron to tune it! The Rhodes, to me, is like the Hammond of portable keyboards. I wouldn’t mind owning one today.
I’m looking forward to seeing pictures of your amp.
You and me both! A Rhodes and a Hammond are like the holy grail of (electric) keyboard instruments. Our local shop has a Mark II Rhodes in right now that is just a blast to play. I mean, the action is spongy and slow, but its impossible to play it without a stupid grin on your face the entire time.
Its cool that you got a chance to open it up and mess with the insides. And it came out better in the end, too! That’s like a bonus.