Just 80 of the instruments will be built, each hand-finished in the UK with a gloss black oak case and a transparent hood revealing the mechanics behind the Rhodes sound.
Just 80 examples of Rhodes’ new anniversary piano will ever exist, each one hand-built in the UK by Rhodes Master Builders. The MK8/80AE marks 80 years of the brand and builds on the existing MK8 platform with a finish designed specifically for the occasion.
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Gloss-varnished black oak finishes the case and matching legs, nodding to the traditional “oak anniversary,” and chrome detailing pairs across the body. A transparent hood opens up the instrument’s internal architecture, showing off chrome tone bars set against a black varnished tine and pickup rail.
“The MK8/80AE is a piano I feel deeply connected to, a unique fusion of eight decades of craft, innovation and unmistakable Rhodes character,” says Dan Goldman, Chief Product Officer at Rhodes. “It’s an instrument that honours our past, speaks to the present, and carries the spirit of Rhodes into the future.”
Each piano ships with a bespoke 80AE serial plate and a signed certificate of authenticity, marking its place in the production run. Onboard analogue effects are standard, and an optional MIDI system is available for players who want it built into their performance or studio rig.
The 80AE follows Rhodes’ 75th anniversary edition, which sold out shortly after launch. The brand is taking the same approach this time around, tying the limited run directly to the milestone year rather than keeping it as a standing model.
Rhodes have opened order books for the MK8/80AE on and will keep them open for three months or until all 80 pianos are sold – whichever comes first.
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