What's the score with the Mark 7 Rhodes Piano?

[ramthelinefeed]

As far as I'm aware, the "Mark 7" Rhodes Piano (real tines, MIDI, poly aftertouch...) has never been reviewed in Sound on Sound.

The http://shop.rhodespiano.com/ link on their website has been a dead link for at least two months... I emailed their contact address and got no reply.

Anyone know the score on this bunch?
I was intrigued by their promise of a poly aftertouch MIDI master keyboard version of the Mark 7 (i.e. no tines)... but are they still in business?

[Richie Royale]

Seems like it (the 2009 Mk 7) did get released

http://www.kvraudio.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=256355

but Sweetwater and Thomann both show discontinued and based on the thread linked to in the KVR thread, there were problems.

[ramthelinefeed]

I've seen that old thread before.... without more context, I tend to be a bit skeptical about Internet drama queen tirades like that.... but Thomann have them as discontinued then I take more notice.

[Bob Moose]

The main problem of the MK 7 is the price. Originally very high, it became a bit less then, but still very high. For less money, you can get a fully-working MK 1 that was completely restored by a professional. Actually, a fully restored MK 1 88 Suitcase will never be more than 3000-4000 euros, which is less than the top stage pianos by Korg, Roland, Yamaha and Kurzweil. I think a great MK 1 73 Stage can be found for 1000-2000 euros

I tried the MK 7 on two occasions (unfortunately on headphones for the first one, and only a 20 seconds for the second one). The keys are quite soft compared to an old Rhodes or an acoustic piano. All Rhodes sound different (not mentioning the importance of the amplifier) and everybody has different preferences, but the MK 7 did sound like an actual tine electric piano, no problem. I personally think it sounds better than any currently available digital emulation (stage piano or VST plugin)

Vintage Vibe in the USA also manufacturates tine pianos

[ramthelinefeed]

well if they've also gone out of business, that's probably an even bigger problem!

[Sam Inglis]

I tried a Mk7 at a trade show once. Loved the red fibreglass case, but I thought it sounded very 'spikey' for want of a better word, with pretty brutal transients when you hit a note. Maybe all Rhodes sounded like that when they were new?

[ramthelinefeed]

maybe. I'll say this much - it was quite a shock that time when I put new strings on my Hohner Clavinet