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Height Adjustment

by Mark Johnson | Wed, 01/11/2012 - 19:12

I just got one of those new frames put on my Musser, and I really love the new stability, wheels that stay on and wheels that really lock!

HOWEVER, I am interested in the height adjustment. I have played the vibes many years at that 'standard' level. But I am six feet, and it occurs to me that it might be more ergodynamic to raise the instrument a notch. This would mean that I would stand more upright, and perhaps give a better angkle of mallet attack.

I tried this out, but was a little too weirded by the added 5 cm, so I put it back.

Has anybody some thought on this?

Mark

by tedwolff | Thu, 01/12/2012 - 00:12

I'm 6 feet tall too

And I always carry a set of 4 inch wooden blocks that I put under the wheels. I've been doing this since the mid 1970s. Neither of my 2 Musser instruments have adjustable height frames, but someday I would like to upgrade.

I think it is essential to have the bars at about waist height. That way your arms are positioned in the most comfortable position and your back can be pretty straight. For me there is no other way to go.

by tpvibes | Thu, 01/12/2012 - 10:58

I'm 6' too

I played for several years on an M75 with no height adjustment and then got an M55 a few years ago. I first tried raising the M55 bed one click. At first it felt weird, but I got used to it pretty quickly and it felt better. I then raised it another click and the same thing -- weird at first but quickly better. I think I've ended up with it raised three steps and it definitely feels more comfortable than the standard height.

Tom P.

by John Keene | Thu, 01/12/2012 - 06:08

Agree

Blocks are great, and mine are less than four inches deep but it just depends on what is comfortable for the individual player. I keep my wrists close to the keyboard, so I just found the right height so I'm not playing stoop-shouldered. I carved out notches with a wood chisel for the casters to rest in, and it's worked out fine.

by Randy_Sutin | Fri, 01/13/2012 - 07:38

I am good with blocks also

I am about 6' 1" tall. My blocks are somewhat between 2 and 3 inches. I found that the four inch blocks make the pedal awkward. I play a 70s vintage M55.

One thing that helps me. I concentrate on NOT locking my knees when I play, especially my left leg. That was a habit I developed early on and it got painful. Unlocking the knees brings you about an inch closer to the malletboard. Keeping the shoulders loose and relaxed downward, but not forward also helps the angle of the elbow and wrist for me.