1979 Rhodes Restoration
The client asked me to get this piano in good shape. After reviewing it, there were 27 pickups that were not functioning. In addition, the grommet screws were not in good shape. Here using blue tape and a screwdriver, the piano had 27 dead pickups. 27 pickups had to be wound at 2,800 turns for each pickup. In addition, all the grommet screws and grommets on the tone bars had to be replaced.
This is the pickup winding machine that was built and designed for Fender Rhodes pickups. It has a turn counter that keeps track of the 2,800 turns needed to achieve the correct electrical parameters needed to function correctly.
This is a grommet screw. It holds the tone bar assembly. It allows the tone bar to oscillate properly to produce the legendary Fender Rhodes sound. Notice the screw is corroded and the rubbver piece, the grommet, is dry rotted. It must be replaced in order for the piano to function properly.
1979 Rhodes Restoration
The harp is where the pickups and the tone bars are mounted. To get to the pickups the tone bars need to be removed and stored with the associated springs. Then when remounting once the pickups are renovated, the tone bar assembly will be remounted on the harp with the new grommet screws.
The Pickups are now being removed and rewound. Notice where the finger is the windings are cleaner than the pickup above or to the left is. The pickup to the left or top is corroded and will also be replaced.
The pickup on the left is a non-functioning pickup. The one on the Right is a newly wound pickup that will replace it.
1979 Rhodes Restoration
The harp is where the pickups and the tone bars are mounted. To get to the pickups the tone bars need to be removed and stored with the associated springs. Then when remounting once the pickups are renovated, the tone bar assembly will be remounted on the harp with the new grommet screws.
Once the tone bar assemblies and renovated pickups are installed, the next tasks are to ensure the key height is correct and the key dip is within tolerance. Notices the bright screws on the tone bars. Those are the Grommet screws.
The piano is now clean up, polished and ready for the client review. The client did not op for new Tolex or hardware since the existing Tolex and hardware is acceptable as is. The piano did clean up nicely!
A restoration does not necessarily mean installing new hardware and Tolex on the case. If the client is satisfied, then that is what matters. What is more important is the internal component