Rhodes Music has been named a finalist for the 42nd Annual NAMM Technical Excellence and Creativity Awards, with its MK8/80AE piano selected in the Musical Instrument Hardware category, according to Music Instrument News. Winners will be announced at The NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, on January 28, 2027.
The MK8/80AE is a limited edition of Rhodes’ flagship MK8 piano, built to mark the company’s 80th anniversary. Music Instrument News reports that the instrument is handcrafted in the UK by Rhodes Master Builders and limited to 80 units worldwide. It pairs the MK8’s electromechanical sound and onboard analogue effects with a gloss-varnished black oak case and legs, chrome detailing, and a transparent hood revealing internal mechanics. Each unit carries a bespoke serial plate and signed certificate of authenticity. An optional MIDI system is available for expanded performance and studio control.
Music Instrument News reports that order books for the MK8/80AE are set to close on October 15, 2026, or earlier if all 80 instruments are allocated. TEC Awards voting runs December 1 through December 31, 2026. Rhodes Music CEO Matt Pelling said the recognition is a special moment that celebrates the company’s origins while signaling its future direction.
For more information, visit musicinstrumentnews.co.uk.
