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2548 E Fender Ave
Fullerton, CA USA
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+1 714-870-7158 (fax)

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Major Key is a part-time business, so it may take a week or two to process your order. If you need parts immediately or you can't find what you need here, check with one of our distributors. If you're outside of the US, buying from a more local reseller will save you money on overseas shipping costs (which tend to be very high, especially if you're only ordering one or two parts!).

FEATURED PRODUCT

click for closeupMajor Key's MKHC-1 Harmonic Clarifier is a preamp designed to replace the Volume and Bass Boost controls found on the Stage Piano models. The MKHC-1 is based on a BBE chip that has been custom-programmed for the Rhodes piano's frequency response, providing controls for Gain, Lo Contour and Process (click the image for a close-up view). Gain and Lo Contour are new names for your old friends, Volume and Bass Boost, with Lo Contour giving you a much deeper and fatter bass response. So what is the Process knob for? This is the preamp's main feature, enhancing the piano's overall presence, giving it a more punchy sound. If you're looking for "bark and bite", the MKHC-1 does them both.

Harold's Idea: In 1987, Harold Rhodes came to BBE to have lunch with John and his father, as he had done several times before. Harold was fascinated by the relatively new BBE Sound technology, so they gave him a Model 411 single-channel BBE instrument preamp. This was a single-space rack unit with Gain Control, Process and Bass Boost. Harold liked it so much that he loaned it to a friend, who liked it so much that he kept it for himself. So they sent Harold another unit. Well, guess what...Harold gave that one away, so he went back to John's father and asked for a third one. This unit he kept! In Harold's own words, "every Rhodes piano must have this BBE Process incorporated in it". So now, nearly 20 years later, we are trying to make Harold's vision a reality....

Audio Demos: We recorded a 1978 Mark I direct (sans amp), splitting the pickup rail output such that one channel was processed by the Harmonic Clarifier while the other was not. The MKHC was set with the Gain at 12 o'clock (50%) and the Process & Lo Contour knobs each at 1 o'clock (around 60%). This is a practical setting that gives you both an enhanced bell-tone and a fat low-end, without going overboard. Both outputs were connected to mic preamp inputs on a Mackie 1202 mixer, patched to a 24/96 digital audio interface and recorded in MOTU DP4. Except for the MKHC, no EQ or other processing was applied. Each song has two versions: one in mono demonstrating the MKHC's effect, the other in stereo with the unprocessed tone in the left channel and the Harmonic Clarifier tone in the right. Listening to the stereo versions with headphones will give you the best impression.

Rhythmic (1:14)
MKHC Alone (MP3, mono, 588K) - Stereo A/B (MP3, split stereo, 1173K)

Balladic (2:04)
MKHC Alone (MP3, mono, 972K) - Stereo A/B (MP3, split stereo, 1946K)

This latest rev of the MKHC-1 features a new silver faceplate and black knobs to match the look of the Mark I. For owners of previous versions, an update kit is also available.
 
Harmonic Clarifier (w/BBE) MKHC-1 (Stage Piano)
Price: $129.95

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More Products...

click for more info73 Key Pedestal Felt Modification Kit
Speed up your piano's action with brand new Key Pedestal Felts!
Also available for 88 key pianos.
Price: $20.00

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click for more info73 Key Hammer Tip Kit
Our Hammer Tip Kit replaces old neoprene hammer tips that have hardened, crystalized, grooved, or just plain fallen off. Includes glue and instructions.
Also available for 88 key pianos.
Price: $50.00

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click for more info73 Key Universal Damper Kit
Use our Universal Damper Kit to replace old, grooved (or missing) damper felts.
Also available for 88 key pianos.
Price: $23.00

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click for more infoSuper Rhodes-Side Service Kit
The Super Rhodes-Side Kit gives you everything you need for making repairs on the road. Includes assorted parts, such as damper felts, key pedestal felts, hammer tips from each group, various hardware, glue, grommets, tuning springs, 3 short tines, 1 pickup, glides, etc.
Price: $45.00

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click for more infoUpdated Grommet Kit (73-Key)
Our Grommet Kit replaces old, crystalized & squashed grommets and improves sustain. Includes custom screw and captive washer (does not include tone bar springs).
Also available for 88 key pianos.
Price: $73.00

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The Rhodes name and logo are trademarks of Joseph A. Brandstetter. The Fender name and logo are trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments. MajorKey.com © 2002 - 2006 Major Key. Email: majorkey@majorkey.com