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.
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.
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
Sound and playability Adams Low E
Vince H Sun, 01/18/2026 - 16:38
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.
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.