1969 Fender Rhodes Silver Sparkle Top Suitcase Piano – Original Raymac Tines, Felt Hammers & Jensen Speakers

1969 Fender Rhodes Silver Sparkle Top Suitcase Piano – Original Raymac Tines, Felt Hammers & Jensen Speakers

An exceptionally rare 1969 Fender Rhodes Silver Sparkle Top Suitcase Piano, featuring the Peterson stereo vibrato system, original Raymac tines, felt teardrop hammers, aluminum tone bars, and all four original 12” Jensen speakers.

Serial Number: 2169 | May 1969

A beautiful example of early Fender Rhodes craftsmanship, retaining many of the original components that distinguish these highly collectible instruments from later production models.

History & Restoration

Originally owned by a music educator for over 40 years, this Rhodes underwent an extensive mechanical and electronic restoration before being purchased through Reverb in 2017.

Original features:

• Rare Silver Sparkle Top and original silver sparkle grille cloth
• Original Raymac tines and felt teardrop hammers
• Original aluminum tone bars
• Peterson preamp with stereo vibrato
• All four original 12” Jensen speakers
• Original vintage Tolex, except one section replaced with matching Vintage Vibe Tolex
• Original lid with blue velvet lining

Mechanical restoration: Complete disassembly and cleaning, including removal and cleaning of all tines and tone bars, reconditioning of selected original felt hammers, replacement of damper and rail felts, selected tone bar mounting screws, and cabling. Professionally voiced, tuned, and set up following restoration.

Peterson preamp: All electrolytic capacitors replaced with Sprague, Panasonic, and Nichicon components. Vibrato bulbs and female DIN connector replaced; original potentiometers cleaned.

Power amplifier: Extensively rebuilt with new power filters, 24V regulator, updated cabling, grounded three-prong power connection, 1/4” jacks, Jones Cinch female connector, and LED pilot lamp. The amplifier modules were converted from their original germanium output transistors to silicon transistors, with output-stage resistors replaced.

An aftermarket headphone jack was also added.

Additional Maintenance & Tuning

During ownership, the piano received additional cleaning, voicing, and action maintenance to refine its playability and response.

It was also tuned to A = 432 Hz, which can be returned to standard A = 440 Hz if desired.

Current Condition

The piano was regularly played until approximately three years ago and has since remained in the climate-controlled dining room of a private home.

Cosmetically, it remains in beautiful vintage condition, with no additional scratches or damage during ownership.

Known issue: The four-pin cable connection between the piano and Suitcase amplifier produces intermittent cracking/popping sounds when the cable is bumped or positioned incorrectly. This may be due to a loose or worn connector or cable, but the cause has not been diagnosed. Servicing or replacement may be necessary.

Given its age and period of inactivity, general maintenance and tuning are recommended before returning it to regular use. Sold as-is, with the known issue disclosed.

A Rare Collector’s Instrument

The Silver Sparkle Top represents a distinctive and increasingly difficult-to-find chapter of Fender Rhodes history. This example is particularly noteworthy for retaining its original Raymac tines, felt teardrop hammers, four original Jensen speakers, and silver sparkle grille cloth—components that have frequently been replaced or modified in other surviving examples.

With its documented restoration history, preserved vintage character, and early-production features, this is a special opportunity for a collector, vintage keyboard enthusiast, or recording studio.

Located in Austin, Texas