Page "Rhodes piano" Paragraph 20

The sound produced has a bell-like character not unlike a vibraphone, celesta or glockenspiel.

Because the instrument produces sound electrically, the signal can be processed to yield many different timbral colors.

On the Suitcase model the signal is processed through a " StereoVibrato ", a low-frequency pan oscillation ( actually a tremolo, but Leo Fender insisted on calling it vibrato, like on his amplifiers ) effects unit, which pans the signal back and forth between right and left channels.

It is this " rounded " or chiming sound that is called the classic Rhodes sound, which can be heard on, for example, many of Stevie Wonder's or Herbie Hancock's songs.

The preamp with vibrato was included on the original Fender Rhodes Electric Pianos and after 1970 ( with stereo panning ) on the " suitcase " models ; the " stage " models lack the preamp and the amplified speaker cabinet, but can be retrofitted.