User Manual

NORD ELECTRO 2 V2.2x 9. History: The story behind the Electro 2 instruments
Page 59
As shown here, Rhodes electric pianos had a different key-mechanism design than what
was used in Wurlitzer electric pianos. The Rhodes mechanism was of simpler construc-
tion.
The Rhodes Mark II is very similar in design to the Mark I. The differences include
an improved mechanical design, plastic hammers with neoprene rubber instead of felt.
The keys were made of plastic and metal; previously, wood was used.
A Rhodes electric piano shown under-the-hood. The basic patent in the Rhodes com-
prised the tine, or metallic asymmetric tuning fork, which made the actual tone. The
upper metal parts are the legs of the tuning forks; the underneath parts comprise the
tines. The black part mounted on one of the upper tuning forks helps alleviate unwanted
harmonics.
This shows quite well the tuning-fork design with the tines. This model features plastic
hammers with neoprene tips. The dampers are underneath the tines. Note the springs
attached to each tine. Moving them tuned the note. The coils are the white things to the
left in the figure. The photo also shows the solution for tuning lower notes when the leg
of the tuning fork needs to be curved to get the right balance and tone (top of picture).
Here is another viewing angle that illustrates the action of a Rhodes electric piano's
mechanics. The lower note has been hit and the damper is now muting the decay. A
secondary note is going to be hit. You also can see the magnet tip. In this case, the piano
has been adjusted to "deep" timbre. You can see that the tine is set a bit above the center
of the magnet tip.