Rhodes Announces MK8/80AE Piano

Rhodes Music has announced the MK8/80AE, a limited-edition electric piano marking the company's 80th anniversary. They say that, with only 80 instruments available worldwide, the MK8/80AE builds on the Rhodes MK8, featuring a gloss-varnished black oak case, chrome detailing, and a transparent hood that reflects Rhodes' legacy of design and craftsmanship.

Dan Goldman, Chief Product Officer at Rhodes, told us, "The MK8/80AE is a piano I feel deeply connected to, a unique fusion of eight decades of craft, innovation and unmistakable Rhodes character. It's an instrument that honours our past, speaks to the present, and carries the spirit of Rhodes into the future. It's one of the most beautiful Rhodes pianos we've ever built."

Here's more details direct from the company...

Handcrafted in the UK by Rhodes Master Builders, the MK8/80AE draws on the legacy of Harold Rhodes while bringing together modern engineering, craftsmanship, and design. Each instrument is built with precision and care, combining the signature Rhodes sound with a distinctive visual identity created exclusively for this anniversary release.

Eight decades of heritage Inspired by 80 years of Rhodes design and musical influence, the MK8/80AE serves as a tribute to the instruments and artists that have defined the Rhodes sound. From its origins in the 1940s to its role in shaping modern music, Rhodes continues to build on a legacy rooted in craftsmanship, innovation, and musical expression.

The MK8/80AE reflects this lineage through a series of carefully considered design choices. Its gloss-varnished black oak case and matching legs reference the symbolic "oak anniversary," representing strength and longevity, while chrome detailing throughout the instrument highlights its modern construction and finish.

The transparent hood reveals the internal architecture of the piano, including chrome tone bars set against a black varnished tine and pickup rail, offering a visual connection to the mechanics behind the Rhodes sound.

Limited to just 80 units worldwide, the MK8/80AE is designed for performers, studios, and collectors alike. Each piano includes a bespoke 80AE serial plate and a signed certificate of authenticity, marking its place within this strictly limited production run.

The MK8/80AE follows the Rhodes 75th Anniversary edition, which sold out shortly after its release and remains highly sought after. The 80th anniversary continues this approach, offering a new limited-edition instrument tied to a defining milestone in the company's history.

In addition to its visual design, the MK8/80AE includes onboard analogue effects as standard, with an optional MIDI system available for expanded performance and studio integration.

Key Features 
    •    Custom all-black keyboard
    •    Gloss-varnished black oak case
    •    Gloss-varnished black oak legs with leg storage bag
    •    Black stand frame with chrome leg braces
    •    Transparent hood
    •    Chrome hood strip
    •    Black varnished tine and pickup rails
    •    Chrome tone bars
    •    Black nickel polished chrome front panel
    •    Black on chrome preamp and FX panels
    •    Chrome dial caps
    •    Black on chrome logo plates and side panels
    •    Black pedal with chrome logo plate
    •    Bespoke 80AE serial plate

Pricing and Availability:
The Rhodes MK8/80AE is limited to 80 units worldwide. Order books open June 30, 2026, and will remain open for three months, closing earlier if all instruments are allocated.
Pricing
    •    £12,995 GBP (+ VAT) Stand included
    •    £1,299 MIDI add-on
    •    $17,495 USD (+ local taxes/tariffs) Stand included + $1,699 MIDI add-on
    •    €14,995 EUR (+ local taxes) Stand included
    •    €1,499 MIDI add-on
Customers may either pay in full or secure their instrument with a 50% deposit.

 More information:

• Rhodes MK8/80AE

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• Rhodes Launches A Giveaway 01-May-26
• New Rhodes Custom Shop Piano 09-Apr-26
• Rhodes Music Introduces Pianology 05-Mar-26
• Wurlitzer by Rhodes 13-Feb-26