Instrument Makers

Greetings,

New to the board and looking to start my journey into learning to play the vibraphone. I'm 50 years old and have played various instruments (keyboards mainly) over the years. The vibraphone has always appealed to me and I'm excited about learning to play.

I'm looking at a 60-70s pre-Ludwig M55 that's for sale in my area. The question I have one simple question (for now): are the older M55s harder to breakdown and move than the Pro-traveller versions?

Anything else one can share about the pre-Ludwig models would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I'm looking into buying my first set of vibes around Christmas this year and I have narrowed my options down to these two. I've played on the m-55, but I'm curious as to how the Yamaha sounds (I've heard great things from other people.) I definitely don't want to make a decision I will regret, so I'm looking to you guys to help with this decision. Any input would be great.

So I saw a picture recently on eBay (it might still be on there) of someone who was able to collapse an M75 and put it in cases. Is this the case with all M75's or just the newer ones? Has anyone ever collapsed an M75 and put it in cases?

Hi,I`m going to look at a 3.5 Deagan Imperial on Thurs.I know next to nothing about the instrument,and was wondering if there was anything in particular,that I should be aware of.I know this can`t be any newer than 1942,amd was wondering if the tuning wanders as the rosewood ages and presumably dries.Is $2k reasonable,assuming good appearance and no problems?Thanks for any help. Tom

I am currently looking to invest into a pro vibe. Before hand I used a Ross from the school I taught at to play gigs. I am looking for a good vibe to gig and move around alot, but I don't want to compromise sound. I am asking to get info from people who have used top of the line models. I am looking at either the M48 or the M55 from my understanding the M55 is the standard. Yamaha, I have done some research but cannot really narrow it down to some models I can look at. I do not really see many prime artists play with Adams.

Hey all,

I'm in the market for a new vibraphone and I've narrowed it down to three instruments, all Musser: the M46 One Nighter, M48 Pro Traveler and M55 Pro. I drive a Ford Explorer so having space in my car is not a big issue (I'm able to fit a 5 octave Yamaha marimba in my car). I'm about to start my junior year of college and I'm looking for an instrument that will serve me well as a professional musician but won't break the bank so I can afford grad school without taking out some crazy loans.

Dear Friends,

I'm back again... I've been saving and saving for a new vibraphone. I'm almost ready to make my purchase. I had posted earlier about which instrument I should get, I know the m55 is what is loved around here.

I was wondering, besides the absence of a motor, does the m46 sound the same as an m55 or m48?, is it the same bars, and same resonators??

HI:

I am in process of building my own set of 3 8va vibes. I have all the bars cut to the proper length with no node holes drilled as of yet. They are 1/2" thick and come in 2, 1 3/4 and 1 1/2 inch widths.

Who can I send them to for INITIAL tuning to either A-440 or A-442? I either do this or buy one on line? Help is appreciated.

I am conductor of a large civic band here in Clearwater (Dunedin) FL and we need a set but cannot spend $4K on a new outfit. Anything would help. Thanks.

Dr. Z

writing some music for marimba & vibes (in a small ensemble) - have eyes on a M48 (for all the good travel-light 'n quick reasons the wonderful GB cited - and also like the more mellow sounding Musser gold bars for that) -- now looking for rosewood marimba (at least 3 octaves, hopefully more) to buy for gigging, to be paired with the M48 player - any suggestions? & unfortunately can't say "price is no object" - merci, James

Hello Everyone,

I'm new here.. I'm a professional drummer wanting to be a complete musician, and would like to seriously get into studying the vibes. I don't know if I'll ever gig on the vibes every night, but I would like to get a Pro instrument. Is there a difference in Sound between the musser brands: M55, M48 or the M46? (I'm aware that M46 does not come with a motor)

If it all sounds the same, and feels similar to play, and the only difference is the cosmetics...than I would like to purchase the M46..

Good decision??

Thank you all!

Emre