Rhodes Celebrates 80th Anniversary with Limited Edition MK8/80AE Piano

Leeds, United Kingdom, June 30, 2026 — Rhodes Music announces the MK8/80AE, a limited-edition electric piano marking the company’s 80th anniversary. 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.

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.

“The MK8/80AE is a piano I feel deeply connected to, a unique fusion of eight decades of craft, innovation and unmistakable Rhodes character,” said 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. It’s one of the most beautiful Rhodes pianos we’ve ever built.”

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

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

Customers may either pay in full or secure their instrument with a 50% deposit.

For more information, visit: https://rhodesmusic.com/the-limited-edition-rhodes-mk8-80ae/

About Rhodes
​For Rhodes loyalists around the world, this is a new chapter in Rhodes' history, not a new book. With the Rhodes MK8, we’re returning to the principles, aesthetic, craftsmanship, and pride of Harold Rhodes’ originals. We’re paying homage to the past with our gaze fixed firmly on what lies ahead.

Hunter Williams

Public Relations, Hummingbird Media, Inc.

• hunter@hummingbirdmedia.com

• www.hummingbirdmedia.com