Rhodes Piano, Leeds (2026)

27/02/2026

Dealer Spotlight: Big Wrench Piano Care. Brooklyn, New York.

Big Wrench Piano Care now has its very own Rhodes MK8 showroom model in stock, proudly on display and ready to be experienced firsthand.

Renowned for their dedication to exceptional piano service, restoration, and care, Big Wrench has built a reputation for craftsmanship and attention to detail that musicians trust. The MK8 now joins their offering - bringing a new era of Rhodes tone and performance to their showroom floor.

The MK8 is available to demo now.

If you’re in the area, be sure to connect with Big Wrench and book your visit.

26/02/2026

After one month of public voting, the Rhodes Custom Keys Challenge has officially come to an end.

With thousands of votes cast, the response from our community has been truly inspiring. It has been a privilege to showcase the finalists’ soundtracks and celebrate the creativity and talent on display.

The quality of the submissions was staggering, and we genuinely believe each finalist was worthy of being crowned the winner. However, the public has decided…

Without further ado, join us in congratulating our winner, Todd Pentney.

Todd’s winning soundtrack impressed the Rhodes team during the internal judging process for its masterful and distinctive application of the Rhodes sound, its seamless sync with key visual moments in the film, and the inspired harmonica performance that nodded to legendary Rhodes artists of the past.

For Todd, Rhodes is more than an instrument - it is a defining part of his musical identity:

“The Rhodes represents freedom to have a voice in any environment. From classic funk to neo-soul to contemporary jazz, it can do it all. Digital versions are good, but nothing compares to a real Rhodes - it responds to what you put into it in a way that’s always noticeable to the player.”

Now, the Rhodes MK8 becomes part of Todd’s musical journey as the grand prize of the Custom Keys Challenge.

Stay tuned as the story continues to unfold...

Each finalist brought a unique approach and perspective to their composition, and any of them would have been deserving of the win.

Take a moment to congratulate our fantastic second and third-place runners-up, Jack Hymers and Israel Jabar.

Heartfelt thanks to every finalist and participant for making the Custom Keys competition so memorable.

23/02/2026

The Rhodes Custom Keys Challenge has officially come to a close.

The community has spoken, and votes are now being carefully counted. The winner will be revealed on February 26th.

A heartfelt thank you from Rhodes to our exceptional finalists - and to every member of the Rhodes community who cast a vote and made the community such a success.

Stay tuned as we prepare to crown the winner of the Custom Keys challenge.

22/02/2026

After one month of public voting, the Rhodes Custom Keys Challenge is almost at its finale.

With a staggering number of votes cast, the response from our community has been truly inspiring. It’s been a privilege to showcase the finalists’ soundtracks and celebrate the creativity and talent on display.

Voting closes on Monday, 23rd February. If you have yet to cast your vote, now is the time.

To vote, visit the link below and ‘like’ your favourite finalist video on YouTube. The video with the most likes when voting closes will be crowned the winner.

View all finalists' tracks: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxsEAEYBH1q5xgkoA8WPbzGGwEgyRVaAv

20/02/2026

Meet Rhodes Custom Keys Challenge finalist Todd Pentney – JUNO Award–winning Toronto-based producer, pianist and keyboardist, also known as HiFiLo.

With submissions now closed and the spotlight on the finalists, Rhodes asked each artist to look back at their history with the instrument that shaped their sound. For Todd, that story starts in his early teens. Hearing Chick Corea on Light as a Feather at 13 changed his perception of what a keyboard could be, and discovering Herbie Hancock’s Mark I tone on Headhunters two years later set a lifelong benchmark. “That record is still my gold standard,” he says, “in terms of sound and in Herbie’s unique musical approach to playing the Rhodes differently than a piano”

“For me, the sound of the Rhodes represents the freedom to have a voice in any environment,” Todd explains - whether on a loud bar gig or an intimate solo set. Having hauled a real Rhodes into countless college funk shows, he knows the instrument’s physical and sonic weight firsthand. “It responds to what you put into it… It’s always noticeable to the player.” At this point, he says, the Rhodes sound is “infused with my DNA.”

Todd’s Custom Keys composition began with an unfinished quartal riff already sitting in a session. Dropping the film into Logic, he realised the idea fit - “chill but still with forward momentum.” Adjusting the tempo and key of the riff to hit specific visual moments, and using Vari-speed for subtle, tape-like pitch shifts, shaped the track’s character. Once the sections were written, he bounced everything into a new session and approached it like a remix, adding glitchy transitions and FX to sharpen the interplay with the visuals.

The Rhodes V8 plugin carried most of the track: chordal comping, distorted lead tones, bass and arp effects. The V8’s bass capabilities, in particular, surprised him with its clean low end, allowing him to process it like a synth or electric bass without unwanted noise. For the lead, he pushed the V8 preamp drive and paired it with filtering for extra bite and movement - balancing modern production with the unmistakable Rhodes core.

Read the full interview, watch Todd’s Custom Keys submission, and explore his music: https://rhodesmusic.com/custom-keys-challenge-finalist-stories-todd-pentney/

19/02/2026

Meet Rhodes Custom Keys Challenge finalist Israel Jabar – Brazilian musician and composer based in Germany.

As the Custom Keys Challenge reaches its final chapter, Rhodes invited each finalist to reflect on their connection to the instrument at the heart of it all. For Israel, that connection is rooted in sound itself. “The sound of the Rhodes, to me, is almost a living entity.”

Born and raised in Salvador, Brazil, his musical identity draws from Brazilian Popular Music, samba-reggae, reggae, dub, soul, funk, jazz, Afro music and more. Playing by ear from the age of five and working professionally since 1998, he has built a career grounded in intuition, attentive listening and deep respect for musical heritage.

“It does not simply sound - it speaks, embraces, and moves you,” he continues. For Israel, the instrument carries a frequency that reaches the listener before the intellect catches up - travelling through the ear “straight to the soul.” That sensitivity to tone and character shaped the way he approached his Custom Keys composition.

Rather than beginning with harmony or groove, Israel started with observation. He studied the 1 minute and 33 second film closely- its colours, textures, focus and emotional intent - and built the music as a dialogue with the visuals. The rhythmic spark came unexpectedly from a Casiotone MT-45, a gift for his two-year-old grandson. A playful moment exploring its built-in rhythm became the pulse and melodic seed of the entire piece.

Throughout the track, he used the Rhodes Mark I from the Rhodes Anthology plugin, assigning different tonal variations to distinct musical roles. In the introduction and final solo, a touch of preamp drive and reverb creates a nostalgic character. Bass lines and harmonic foundations sit in subtle room ambience for presence and sustain, while chorus and delay in the introduction and chorus add movement and depth.

Read the full interview, watch Israel’s Custom Keys submission, and explore his music: https://rhodesmusic.com/custom-keys-challenge-finalist-stories-israel-jabar/

18/02/2026

To celebrate its recent endorsement by Wurlitzer, the Wurlitzer by Rhodes virtual instrument is currently available at 50% off.

Unlock the timeless tone of a true original. The definitive reed-based piano reborn in virtual form.

Offer ends soon. Don't miss out: https://rhodesmusic.com/wurlitzer-by-rhodes-plugin/

17/02/2026

Last month, Rhodes MK8 MIDI customer Nic Young took delivery of his highly anticipated new instrument and was excited to share his initial reactions with the Rhodes team - how the piano slotted seamlessly into his set-up, and his experience throughout the journey.

“Having spent some time with the instrument, my appreciation has only increased. It’s beautiful - so alive and inspiring.”

From the first session, the MK8 MIDI revealed its depth and versatility. As Nic describes, “the vari-pan pushes into ring mod territory, the envelope and EQ can yield an auto-wah, and the delay rate goes into reverb-like ranges.” A sonic landscape that invites exploration.

“The design is incredible, and the attention to detail and thought behind everything is very evident… It’s not just the piano; the whole product suite and everything you’re doing to support it is phenomenal.”

16/02/2026

Meet Rhodes Custom Keys Challenge Finalist, Engelen Kristof.

With a strong academic foundation in classical piano, followed by further studies in jazz piano and ensemble performance, Kristof brings a balanced, informed approach to the keys. Technical grounding meets instinctive feel in their playing - a combination shaped further by years of semi-professional projects across jazz, funk, reggae, and pop.

For Kristof, the Rhodes sound represents the very heart of their inspiration. “It’s jazz and funk - that’s where it begins for me.” Growing up in the ’80s and ’90s left a lasting imprint, and that sense of nostalgia subtly colours their music today. Melody, texture, and groove sit at the centre of their writing, creating an easy, relaxed feel that’s familiar without ever feeling derivative.

Their Custom Keys submission came together instinctively. After reading the brief, Kristof began improvising while watching the film - a melody and groove forming almost immediately. The Rhodes’ unmistakable character pulled the piece toward a ‘70s-inspired funk feel, and from there the direction was clear. The arrangement was kept deliberately minimal to let the instrument sit firmly at the forefront. Aside from a touch of reverb and the Rhodes’ own onboard effects, the sound remains pure and uncluttered.

Using the Rhodes V8, Kristof focused on showcasing the instrument's core tone and feel. “It’s such an enjoyable experience - beautiful layout, intuitive design, and a fantastic, detailed sound.” While the added effects of the V8 Pro were tempting, the goal remained the same: let the Rhodes speak for itself.

Read the full interview, watch Engelen Kristof’s Custom Keys submission, and explore more: https://rhodesmusic.com/custom-keys-challenge-finalist-stories-engelen-kristof/

14/02/2026

“The Finest Wurlitzer Plugin” - Wurlitzer

Wurlitzer by Rhodes is the first-ever virtual instrument to be officially endorsed by Wurlitzer.

A recreation of the iconic Wurlitzer 200A piano that ‘truly captures the soul of the instrument’, according to Wurlitzer themselves.

To celebrate Wurlitzer's endorsement, we’re offering a generous 50% discount for one week only.

Offer ends soon - don’t miss out: https://rhodesmusic.com/wurlitzer-by-rhodes-plugin/

13/02/2026

Meet Rhodes Custom Keys Challenge Finalist, Attila Pascay, an award-winning Hungarian film and theatre composer.

With just two weeks left before the Custom Keys Challenge winner is announced, Rhodes delves deeper into the finalists' stories, discovering more about their musical journeys and unique approaches to crafting soundtracks.

To Attila, the Rhodes sound is ‘an absolute icon... synonymous with that classic American vibe’. American culture of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and '80s, particularly the jazz music of the time, had a deep impact on Attila - one that is still felt today. Rhodes heroes such as Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock were particularly influential, explains Pascay, ‘I get goosebumps just hearing their names.’

Drawing on his impressive career in contemporary film music and his distinctive style of blending acoustic and electronic elements, Attila’s main goal was to showcase a different side of the Rhodes sound, ‘beyond the usual jazz or funky piano approach’. This is perhaps most apparent in the piece's opening section, which begins with a slowly evolving, hypnotic Rhodes part, punctuated by eerie, organic percussion scrapes and whines.

Atilla’s piece uses a wide range of different Rhodes sounds, with keys parts split across multiple tones, leveraging the vast array of presets in the V8 Pro and Anthology. ‘It’s really fascinating to experiment with which sounds work well together, says Pascay, ‘how they blend, cancel each other out, or make each other more interesting.’

Read the full interview, watch Attila’s Custom Keys submission, and explore his music: https://rhodesmusic.com/custom-keys-challenge-finalist-stories-attila-pacsay

12/02/2026

Rhodes is honoured to unveil Wurlitzer by Rhodes - the first officially Wurlitzer-endorsed digital recreation of the legendary 200A reed piano.

“We are proud to see the Wurlitzer sound brought to life so beautifully by the Rhodes team. It is the most faithful recreation yet. Together, we have created what we believe is the finest Wurlitzer plug-in, one that truly captures the soul of the instrument.” - Wurlitzer.

Formerly known as Rhodes Wurli, this new chapter represents a landmark collaboration between the most influential names in electric piano history.

In celebration of the announcement, a 50% discount is available until February 19th at 12pm GMT.
Don’t miss out: https://rhodesmusic.com/wurlitzer-by-rhodes-plugin/

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Please note: Wurlitzer by Rhodes offers the same features, sound, and functionality as the Rhodes Wurli, with a new name and minor UI changes to reflect this. Existing Rhodes Wurli owners do not need to update their plugin, but can by installing the latest version of the Wurlitzer by Rhodes over their existing software.

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