I recently met a local gentleman who turned out to be a keyboardist with a fondness for instruments from his younger days. Among the items that remain in his collection is this 1977 Seventy Three that he purchased new. After playing the piano for a few years, other priorities left the Rhodes in storage where it remained until now.

As a result of its relatively short service life, this piano is in mint condition. The outer cabinet shows some age but internally, it’s as though it just left the factory. I’m fairly certain I’m the first person ever to have lifted its harp.

It even includes the original leg bag and spare tines.

Some very irregular key heights in the upper register.

Caused by an arcade token that found its way to the balance rail.

The front guide pin for the highest A is missing.

Found it. How did this happen?

I noticed that the keys were bumping against the name rail felt, potentially preventing them from returning to their proper resting position. Someone tried to alleviate this condition with the addition of some stick-on felt.

Most of the tonebar grommets look OK, though some are blown out. Regardless, usually grommets of this age have hardened and are best replaced.

These flat key pedestals will be well served by the addition of Miracle Mod bumps.

In 1977, felt was installed on the hammer cam rather than the key pedestal. We’ll be putting it back on the pedestal so this felt must be removed.