From m.zyla@verizon.net Sun Jan 21 12:07:28 2007
Subject:Re: OT - Rhodes Mk VII

> I had an ample ample amount of time to check out the various Rhodes models at
> NAMM and also to hear them in action in a Harold Rhodes tribute concert with
> George Duke and Jeff Lorber. All I can say is that the new Rhodes is awesome.
> The new design is definitely 21st century while paying enormous amounts of
> tribute and focus to the old mechanical design. It has the wooden keys,
> hammers and tines and interior of the old Rhodes surrounded by space age
> plastics and aluminum. The various models begin @ 2k and go up to 5k. A 61
> note passive model in red was their entry level model being shown.
> There was a HUGE buzz at the show about these pianos. Make no mistake ­ the
> Rhodes is back. I attended a Keyboard Magazine Forum dinner Thursday night
> and had a long conversation with Ernie Rideout and other Keyboard editors
> about the Rhodes. They are completely ecstatic about it¹s entry into the
> market.
>
> That being said, there is a lot of negative comments surrounding Joe
> Brandstetters¹ past behavior and legal threats to secure his rights to the
> Rhodes name again. My business associate and myself had a conversation with
> Joe concerning his plans for distribution. We approached him and threw our
> hat into the rep ring. His initial plans include factory distribution using
> no independent reps, but to me that sounds like it may change.
>
> Anyways, that¹s my first report from NAMM. The new Electro C3 is also going
> to clamber up quickly to the top of the heap of Hammond clones on the market.
> Hammond Suzuki, as expected showed nothing new in keyboards. Only the Leslie
> 3300. Fairly impressive. More later.........
>
> Mark
>
> So what you see and hear will be a joint venture between JB and
> whoever else was involved to put a few MK VII's together. From the
> description it sounds like a badly conceived idea with 2 choices of
> hammer action and/or midi.
>
> ,_._,___

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