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Marimba Purchase Help


Patrick_D

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Hello there...

I'm not a percussionist... i'm a horn player (ewwwwww)

I'm looking to purchase a Marimba for my school that does not already own one :doh: I think that I'll be able to spend around $10,000 give or take $1,000.

I was looking at the Yamaha 5100A, but only because I love Yamaha instruments... I really have nothing to base my decision on.

What is the best bang for my buck? Best brand? Thoughts?

Thanks for your help!

Patrick

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What kind of school are you looking to buy for? High School? Junior high? College? Will this be used indoors exclusively or is it going to be used for marching band? Indoor drumline? Just concert work? How portable do you need it?

Do you want rosewood or synthetic keys? Rosewood sounds better but is much more expensive and not as durable. What range are you looking at? 4.3 octave? 4.5? 5?

I need a few more details to make a recommendation. :-)

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What kind of school are you looking to buy for? High School? Junior high? College? Will this be used indoors exclusively or is it going to be used for marching band? Indoor drumline? Just concert work? How portable do you need it?

Do you want rosewood or synthetic keys? Rosewood sounds better but is much more expensive and not as durable. What range are you looking at? 4.3 octave? 4.5? 5?

I need a few more details to make a recommendation. :-)

1. High School

2. For use with Concert Band and Indoor Perc.

3. Portable, but not "field band" portable

4. I don't know about rosewood or synt, or range... what do you think is best?

Thanks for your help!

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I really like the marimba we use at statesmen dunham.... it has a really nice sound and is portable. Its a yamaha. Dynasty also normally makes really good products.

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I really like the marimba we use at statesmen dunham.... it has a really nice sound and is portable. Its a yamaha. Dynasty also normally makes really good products.

Don't forget 6pm tomorrow... if you get a chance call James and Nitasha.

As for the Marimba, I'll be talking to more people this weekend, i'm just looking for some outside advice to see if it all matches up Jake.

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1. High School

2. For use with Concert Band and Indoor Perc.

3. Portable, but not "field band" portable

4. I don't know about rosewood or synt, or range... what do you think is best?

Thanks for your help!

In your case, I would say probably go with synthetic bars, as high school can be a bit rough in marimbas. If you go with synthetic bars, I would absolutely say yamaha--most of the other synthetic marimbas have a very glassy sound. If you get their field frame ii (I believe it's called), with the square tubing, it has a very nice, clean look to it. A 4.3 octave will cover most of your needs, but a 4.5 will give you better flexibility, especially with solo marimba work and some indoor stuff. If you go with rosewood, you might give pearl/adams a look too. I wouldn't recommend malletech or marimba one in your case, as those keyboard may be too expensive to justify using in a high school setting--great keyboards, but better suited to the college or professional player. My suggestion is to get synthetic (acoustalon) bars now, and if you like later, buy a set of rosewood bars, which you can change out for perfomances--keeping them in as good a shape as possible.

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In your case, I would say probably go with synthetic bars, as high school can be a bit rough in marimbas. If you go with synthetic bars, I would absolutely say yamaha--most of the other synthetic marimbas have a very glassy sound. If you get their field frame ii (I believe it's called), with the square tubing, it has a very nice, clean look to it. A 4.3 octave will cover most of your needs, but a 4.5 will give you better flexibility, especially with solo marimba work and some indoor stuff. If you go with rosewood, you might give pearl/adams a look too. I wouldn't recommend malletech or marimba one in your case, as those keyboard may be too expensive to justify using in a high school setting--great keyboards, but better suited to the college or professional player. My suggestion is to get synthetic (acoustalon) bars now, and if you like later, buy a set of rosewood bars, which you can change out for perfomances--keeping them in as good a shape as possible.

Thanks! The only thing that is a red flag to me is "if you like later, buy a set of rose..." I doubt our school will ever go for a second set :(

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Don't forget 6pm tomorrow... if you get a chance call James and Nitasha.

As for the Marimba, I'll be talking to more people this weekend, i'm just looking for some outside advice to see if it all matches up Jake.

yeah i know thank you.

hey if you want some more advice talk to either richie, matt, or rob. They would be more than happy to talk to you about this stuff and they have a lot of experiance. they should be at wildwood.

see ya soon.

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Thanks! The only thing that is a red flag to me is "if you like later, buy a set of rose..." I doubt our school will ever go for a second set :(

Acoustalon bars aren't too bad and should serve you well. The rosewood sounds amazing, but if your school doesn't want to foot the bill for it, it's not the end of the world.

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