A piano teacher, Harold Rhodes initially created a tuning fork piano, the “Xylette”, during WWII as a portable instrument to help rehabilitate wounded airmen. He continued to refine and develop his idea producing the “Pre-Piano,” the “Piano Bass” and in 1965 the Rhodes Electric Piano was born. The innovative Rhodes piano immediately became a standard instrument in the jazz, pop, rock and R&B genres. The sound of the Rhodes is instantly recognizable and it remains a widely used instrument even to this day. Harold Rhodes continued to evolve and improve his piano in association with Fender until 1983 when production was discontinued. Original price: $1195.