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I just recorded some tracks with a Musser vibe. It is an old frame and has shiny/reflective silver bars. It is at a University in PA, and it is said that it was found in deep storage years ago in great condition.

The vibe is beautiful and it sounds gorgeous. I was floored by how sweet it sounded. It has a badge that says "Evelyn", which I am guessing is the model. Internet searches have provided nothing...I am wondering if this thing is an antique gem and maybe there aren't that many around. Asking around to some other pros...it's believed that it could be from the 1950's. I was not able to speak to anyone directly at this University that knew. I have no information except the experience of playing it myself.

This is just to appease my own curiosity. The thing sounded incredible, the tracks came out superb. It was a real treat to play this instrument. Is anyone here familiar with the Evelyn model Musser vibe? What a sound! I would love to learn more about this instrument. Many thanks to anyone that can shed some light.

* Side note: I attended the first ever vibes congress last year in Asbury Park, NJ. It was a treat to hear the top artists share thoughts, and the show the evening before we an incredible treat.

Comments

Randy_Sutin Tue, 02/24/2015 - 16:43

We would love to see it. Can you post some pics of it?

Also, try reaching out to Bill Youhass. If anyone has seen one, he likely has.

Best of luck finding out. I love the older instruments.

Gary Burton Wed, 02/25/2015 - 14:27

In reply to by Randy_Sutin

Here's a strong possibility. I'm quite certain there was never an Evelyn model made by Musser. I started playing Musser instruments at age 6, (1949), and know all the models they have made. However, I can make a likely guess about how this instrument came to be. In the 1950s, one of the largest sellers of Musser instruments was a teacher in Anderson, IN, who sold instruments to all her students, acting as a dealer. Evelyn Tucker had, on average, 35-50 students at any given time during that decade, so she sold a lot of instruments - far more than a typical music store that might sell two or three a year. I'm guessing that either Musser made a gesture to reward her sales efforts by putting her name on an instrument for her. Or, she may have had her name put on the instrument herself after she received it. That would have been her style. She was a real charismatic, effusive, enthusiastic individual. And, she was an excellent teacher. I was a student of Evelyn's from age 6 to 8. How the instrument ended up in Pennsylvania, is anyone's guess, but instruments get sold and moved around. Someone recently sent me a photo of a Musser instrument that had belonged to me in the 50s, that now belongs to a student in San Diego! No idea how it got all the way out there, but there it is in the photo. In any event, I'm glad to hear the old Musser still sounds good. I have two sets of bars from the 60s that I would never give up. Maybe it's just superstition or sentimentality, I don't know. But, if they still sound great, I'm happy. - Gary

RICHIE Wed, 02/25/2015 - 16:28

In reply to by Gary Burton

I HAVE A PRO55 FROM 70,S ONE TEACHER I HAD WHO WAS WORKING WITH BUDDY RICH AT THE TIME WAS MIKE MERNIERI.FOR GIVE SPELLING.HE SAID THIS IS IN PERFECT TUNE .IT HAS GOLD BARS.THATS IT.
I LOVE THE SOUND BUT DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT SOUND UN LESS IT IS BAD,
RICHARD DE BELLIS

jdapercussion Thu, 02/26/2015 - 21:23

In reply to by Gary Burton

Hi Gary,
James Armstrong, Millersville University… that is where "Evelyn" lives. I found the instrument in a storage closet, in cases, never opened. I have checked fairly thoroughly with locals in the know (Lancaster,PA area - huge marimba tradition here, so I am continually finding out). As I have been informed, the instrument has passed through the lineage of an Opel Pedders. "Evelyn" was a student of hers perhaps?? Pedders apparently had an under the radar music shop in Lancaster back in the day where she sold instruments and taught piano, vibes, and accordian (dates I cannot verify) and from what I was told Evelyn was one of her students. The instrument was supposedly just donated, literally dropped off with little information, at the university and now it is in the studio under strict guard.

Same Evelyn?? Upon request Musser did put name plates to personalize instruments back then correct?? At any rate, beautiful sounding instrument! AND a bonus was about 300-400 hand written 3-4 mallet tune arrangements packed inside the bars case that I am slowly but surely putting into sibelius.

Still digging for info. Tony has seen (and played) the instrument. Thanks for the historical insight!!!

jda

Gary Burton Thu, 02/26/2015 - 22:54

In reply to by jdapercussion

Hi James. There might just be two Evelyns in vibraphone history from the 50s, which would be quite a coincidence. The Evelyn I knew in Indiana hailed from Dayton, Ohio originally, as I recall. (She did play piano as well.) I have no idea how she was introduced to the mallet instruments or with whom she studied. Maybe it's the same person, but not sure if she would have spent time in Pennsylvania, and that would have been in the late 30s or early 40s, it would seem. Guess we will probably never know for sure. - Gary