Technical Questions

Hi, new guy to the forum here. I'm looking to get a set of vibes. I've been playing kit drums for 40 years and bought a MalletKat a few years back. As nice as the MalletKat is, I also like the immediacy and subtlety of acoustic instruments so I figured why not? After searching around (including this site) I've come up with some questions regarding what to get. I don't live near a large city so I can't audition instruments directly and used instruments are pretty much out of the picture (I don't know enough about them to trust my judgement anyway).

I'm new here and happy to find this site.

I currently play a Deagan marimba and am looking for a vibraphone that has the same physical dimensions as my 410, because I thought it would be an easier transition from one instrument to the other. My 410 is 3-octave, f-f, with graduated bars. Can someone tell me if all portable Deagan vibraphones have graduated bars? From the pictures that I have seen, the Traveler and Performer model vibraphones appear to be pretty close to my 410.

Hi experts :)
I have a chance to buy a Musser M55 (about 3000,-€) or a Saito CB700 (about 1000,-€).
Both are so far away that I can't travel only to test them myself.
Up to now I have only seen photos.

Saito seems to have the same bars size as the Musser.

Does anyone know about Saito?
Is the sound comparable to the Musser?

Thanks
Paul

Do you have a xylosynth that I can try? I live in northwest Washington State and I can go to Seattle, the Lower Mainland of BC or Vancouver Island. My email is tomoandmegumi@hotmail.com

What happens if the vibrato wing is unfortunately hit while playing?

I recently stumbled upon what I think is a great deal on a Deagan 145. From what I can tell, the instrument is in near-mint condition and the price is certainly reasonable. I'm curious if any of you have much experience performing and gigging with a 145. I'm also looking for suggestions on cases and suitcase-style ideas for transporting the instrument. I am not a jazz player, but I will use the instrument for chamber and solo performances several times a year.

Hi Everybody,

Hey everyone, I am new to the site and pretty new to the vibraphone. I am excited to be able to get some ideas and learn from this site.

I have dual citizenship and have been living in Brazil for the past five years. I studied in highschool with Jason Adasiewicz in chicago but stopped when i moved to brazil in 2009. I just got an M55 while in the states working this summer and want to bring it back with me to Brazil.

I have a 594 Deagan Commander and would like to get some slower vibrato than what is currently available.

It seems a smaller pulley (i think that's the right term for the round brass deal attached to the motor's shaft) would do the trick.

Am i right in thinking that's a viable way to go about it? If so can anyone make recommendations on what size pulley to go with and where i might acquire one?

Thanks so much.

I just bought a Deagan Commander recently, the version with the pickups installed (a 594, in other words), but I'm thinking about removing them. I have another set of vibes I've been using on gigs until now and I've never needed pickups, always using mics, and the ones on this instrument just sound kind of bad - there's a really loud thud when you strike a note. It's also a hassle removing the notes from the frame and replacing them with having to plug and unplug so many connectors - I know you're supposed to leave them on but the frame is too heavy to carry around that way, I find.