Looking for vibraphone with an E below middle C.
I remember Gary Burton talking about Musser experimenting with an extended range vibraphone .
Also I know Vanderplas made some.
The 4 octave Bergerault is too much (range and price!)
I checked out the specs for that Adams Low E vibe. The lowest bars are 50mm/2", about the same as top Deagans (e.g. Aurora) and top Jencos, maybe Leedy as well? (Vs the standard on most instruments today, which is 57mm/2.25." For comparison, the Musser standard Pro (used by most other makers) switches to 2" at C#. So this could conceivably be a fine sounding instrument, perhaps with a little less volume than the 2.25" low-end instruments. I have sent a note to Adams asking if there are any in the US or Canada to listen to yet, but not heard back. I do a lot of work with a classical guitarist and that low E is very appealing.
What I really do not understand is, why Adams are producing a vibraphone with a low E but do not add as a minimum an Eb for the sharps. It would be so nice for many Jazz-Standards, because just have a look into the Realbook: There would be so many Eb's to play on the low side! Nowadays You can buy single bass- bars from Studio 49 near Munich in Bavaria and they have a fair price, I think (C to E). I love the sound of bass-instruments and it would be nice to play the root, when comping!
Since the lower bars on the low E model are a bit smaller than regular (and so saving space for the additional E), Adams can use their regular frames size for this model. So adding an Eb will cause a lager frame.
According to Adams, the low E model is more of a beginners / student model. The intention was that you can use guitar literature for teaching.
Hi Jenzz,
Can you comment in depth on the tone quality of the Adams Low E as well as the playability and transportability? Is it possible for you to put up some demos of the tone quality?
As I noted, the bar dimensions at the low end (at least in width) are the same as those for the Deagan/Jenco/Leedy vibes. I would think that classifying it as a "student model" may be discounting it's tone quality, but then--maybe the other dimensions render the bars less pleasant to hear.
For those of us who enjoy guitar literature and working with guitarists, that low E range would be a sweet spot--opening up a lot of other keys without making the instrument too huge and heavy. (E.G. Bergerault does make a low-C vibe but it looks to be a beast to move and set up.) It could also help vibists to improve their facility with typical guitar keys (E, A, D).
Re: the comment on adding an Eb/D#--while that seems cool, why stop there...? In other words, there's a mission creep effect; may as well go to the 3.5 octave low C if you're after that. The E specifically allows vibes to adapt to guitar music and facilitates guitar/vibe stuff, since the low E on the guitar is such a rich and important part of its tone quality.
FWIW, I contacted Adams asking where I could hear one--the answer was not very helpful as they didn't really seem to have a list of who had one in stock.
The track 'Radio Waltz' shows off the Adams sounds. (Mallets VicFirth M187, Mics Shure SM94).
Since our rehearshal room is in an old police station without heating, making recordings esp. for the low E bar is not suitable due to low temperatures (4-6°C to date)...It sounds like a milk bottle then :-)
Portabilty is ok but could be better. After removing the bars, the instrument breaks down into the 4 rails, resonators and the 2 endblocks, the pedal mechanism and damper. The cart breaks down into crossbar and 2 trolleys.
All in all, you will have 5 bags (incl. bars).
Comments
Adams Solist Series
DrBobM55 Sat, 12/20/2025 - 23:25
Adams makes a vibraphone with a low E. The bars are narrower than other wide bar instruments.
Adams Soloist Low E
Vince H Tue, 12/30/2025 - 18:52
I checked out the specs for that Adams Low E vibe. The lowest bars are 50mm/2", about the same as top Deagans (e.g. Aurora) and top Jencos, maybe Leedy as well? (Vs the standard on most instruments today, which is 57mm/2.25." For comparison, the Musser standard Pro (used by most other makers) switches to 2" at C#. So this could conceivably be a fine sounding instrument, perhaps with a little less volume than the 2.25" low-end instruments. I have sent a note to Adams asking if there are any in the US or Canada to listen to yet, but not heard back. I do a lot of work with a classical guitarist and that low E is very appealing.
That may be a little too far…
wyndorps Wed, 12/31/2025 - 06:06
That may be a little too far away right now, but there is an instrument like that currently for sale in France.
https://www.leboncoin.fr/ad/instruments_de_musique/3099191930
Thanks for that. I think…
Vince H Wed, 12/31/2025 - 17:57
In reply to That may be a little too far… by wyndorps
Thanks for that. I think getting it into the US would be a nightmare right now.
Adams Low E
Jenzz Sat, 01/03/2026 - 15:48
Hi :-)
I play such an Adams with the low E. If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Old model is VSWV31, actual model is VSWA31.
regards, Jens .-)
Low E
Holger Kaufmann Thu, 01/15/2026 - 12:27
What I really do not understand is, why Adams are producing a vibraphone with a low E but do not add as a minimum an Eb for the sharps. It would be so nice for many Jazz-Standards, because just have a look into the Realbook: There would be so many Eb's to play on the low side! Nowadays You can buy single bass- bars from Studio 49 near Munich in Bavaria and they have a fair price, I think (C to E). I love the sound of bass-instruments and it would be nice to play the root, when comping!
Low E
Jenzz Sat, 01/17/2026 - 03:52
Since the lower bars on the low E model are a bit smaller than regular (and so saving space for the additional E), Adams can use their regular frames size for this model. So adding an Eb will cause a lager frame.
According to Adams, the low E model is more of a beginners / student model. The intention was that you can use guitar literature for teaching.
Jenzz
(deleted extra copy)
Vince H Sun, 01/18/2026 - 16:38
In reply to Low E by Jenzz
(deleted extra copy)
Sound and playability Adams Low E
Vince H Sun, 01/18/2026 - 17:22
In reply to Low E by Jenzz
Hi Jenzz,
Can you comment in depth on the tone quality of the Adams Low E as well as the playability and transportability? Is it possible for you to put up some demos of the tone quality?
As I noted, the bar dimensions at the low end (at least in width) are the same as those for the Deagan/Jenco/Leedy vibes. I would think that classifying it as a "student model" may be discounting it's tone quality, but then--maybe the other dimensions render the bars less pleasant to hear.
For those of us who enjoy guitar literature and working with guitarists, that low E range would be a sweet spot--opening up a lot of other keys without making the instrument too huge and heavy. (E.G. Bergerault does make a low-C vibe but it looks to be a beast to move and set up.) It could also help vibists to improve their facility with typical guitar keys (E, A, D).
Re: the comment on adding an Eb/D#--while that seems cool, why stop there...? In other words, there's a mission creep effect; may as well go to the 3.5 octave low C if you're after that. The E specifically allows vibes to adapt to guitar music and facilitates guitar/vibe stuff, since the low E on the guitar is such a rich and important part of its tone quality.
FWIW, I contacted Adams asking where I could hear one--the answer was not very helpful as they didn't really seem to have a list of who had one in stock.
Adams Low E
Jenzz Mon, 01/19/2026 - 15:00
Hi :-)
I'm only playing in a band context, only a duo from time to time.
Check out the soundcloud clips on website of my band:
https://www.spontaneousstorytelling.net/
The track 'Radio Waltz' shows off the Adams sounds. (Mallets VicFirth M187, Mics Shure SM94).
Since our rehearshal room is in an old police station without heating, making recordings esp. for the low E bar is not suitable due to low temperatures (4-6°C to date)...It sounds like a milk bottle then :-)
Portabilty is ok but could be better. After removing the bars, the instrument breaks down into the 4 rails, resonators and the 2 endblocks, the pedal mechanism and damper. The cart breaks down into crossbar and 2 trolleys.
All in all, you will have 5 bags (incl. bars).
regards, Jens