Registered: 12/17/07
Loc: USA
Post's Karma Value: 7
In the next five or six years, I will be purchasing my own marimba. I have narrowed my choices down to two brands: Malletech and Marimbaone. I have played on a couple malletech keyboards and have been very pleased with the way they sound. I have heard nothing but good things about marimbaone (except they are a little pricy), however, I have never played on one of these instruments. If you have, I beg you to put down everything you did and didn't like about the instrument- be as picky as you can be.
Also, if anyone could tell me whether or not the "enhanced premium" keyboard voicing option is really worth the 6,000 dollars more it adds to the cost, that would be mucho appreciated.
In the next five or six years, I will be purchasing my own marimba. I have narrowed my choices down to two brands: Malletech and Marimbaone. I have played on a couple malletech keyboards and have been very pleased with the way they sound. I have heard nothing but good things about marimbaone (except they are a little pricy), however, I have never played on one of these instruments. If you have, I beg you to put down everything you did and didn't like about the instrument- be as picky as you can be.
Also, if anyone could tell me whether or not the "enhanced premium" keyboard voicing option is really worth the 6,000 dollars more it adds to the cost, that would be mucho appreciated.
Thanks
Although I have no answer for your actual question, if this isn't going to be for another 5 to 6 years, I would wait before trying to compare them. There may be something better in that time frame that you would want to look into.
If you're thinking five years out, there's no reason to box yourself into one or the other. Keep an open mind, and over the next few years, take the opportunity to play on various marimbas by Malletech and MarimbaOne, as well as other makers like Kori, Coe, Adams, and the rest of the usual suspects.
My school actually had a 7 1/2 (?) marimba from MarimbaOne. The "Megarimba" as it was called was excellent quality, both in sound and build. We ended up trading it to Jacksonville State University for like 8 more keyboards for the front ensemble and concert/symphonic band. I have no complaints on MarimbaOne. Nor do I with malletech. But like everyone else said, play on some different ones. Five years is enough time to make a good decision, and in 3 months, you may like different brands. Adams I know makes some good ones. I haven't played on a Kori or Coe, but I'm sure they are just as good. Take your time.
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formerly known as TitanTenor
At LSU we have a Malletech, Yamaha, and Marimba One, among others. My favorite, by far, is the Marimba One, especially because ours can be raised and lowered by a crank on the side (though I'm sure other brands have that too). We have a malletech and I don't like playing on it at all. The bars are oddly shaped as they get to the lower end of the instrument and the low bars cracked easily. I would also suggest looking into Dynasty marimbas, my professor (Brett Dietz) owns one and it is also a beautiful instrument.
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'09 LA All-State Concert Band '06-'10 Slidell High '10 LSU Cymbals '11 Northshore High Drum Instructor)
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