robokev
Tiger Talk Trainee
Reged: Oct 28 2007
Posts: 2
Loc: Ohio
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Hi,
I'm new to the forums so bear with me. I bought a used Musser 30 marimba with rosewood bars from a local university a few years ago and the resonaters are all dinged/dented/scratched, some of the keys are scratched or the finish is coming off and the frame needs a lot of work. First off, does anyone know more information about the Musser 30? and is it worth fixing it? I've looked everywere for information on it but can't find any. I do know that it was manufactured in brookfield illinois and the serial number is 5573. any help/knowledge is appreciated.
Edited by robokev (Sun Oct 28 2007 08:10 PM)
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L Lawless
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Dec 24 2003
Posts: 282
Loc: TX
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Depends on what you mean by "worth fixing it". If you're looking to sell it, it's probably not going to bring very much. This model is no longer made, has been replaced by a Padauk bar model, the M32. It's also comparable to the M31 that has Kelon bars.
The problem with this model is the narrow bars and 4 octave range. If you are just looking for a practice instrument to do some basic marimba study on, it can help, but for any serious marimba literature, you're going to need both wider bars for better sound and a larger range.
You might contact some people who restore mallet instruments and get their advice. Try Bill Youhass at Fall Creek Marimbas (http://www.marimbas.com/index.php), Doug DeMorrow at DeMorrow Mallet Instruments (http://www.demorrowinstruments.com/Home_Page.php), or Gilberto Serna at Century Mallet Instruments (http://www.centurymallet.com/).
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www.lawlesspercussion.com
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robokev
Tiger Talk Trainee
Reged: Oct 28 2007
Posts: 2
Loc: Ohio
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ok well thanks. I've probably sank too much into it just from purchasing it then. Columbus percussion told me that I was getting a good deal and that it was worth more than I paid. (After all I think they said it was like 20-30 years old.) and they also mentioned something about the bars being Daegan. thats why i was wondering if it would be worth maybe having them retuned and refinished. Thats what I get for not doing my research But for practice purposes, I think it suits my needs just fine. thanks again Lawless.
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L Lawless
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Dec 24 2003
Posts: 282
Loc: TX
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I would still take the time to check with people who restore mallet instruments. Rosewood is rosewood, and it gets better with age.
Another resource I just thought of is www.malletshop.com.
They deal in new and used mallet instruments.
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www.lawlesspercussion.com
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roger strange
Tiger Talk Pro
Reged: Dec 09 2003
Posts: 1119
Loc: Nova Scotia Canada
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For what it's worth in my opinion. Take your time, get it restored and hang onto it. Those rosewood bars are scarce as hen's teeth because that wood has all been farmed. Also it's a beautiful piece of marimba history. I never trash or sell older lovely sounding instruments even if they are a little limited in range or ablilities by "modern" standards. Their sound is in many cases much better. I have always found, especially when recording, that a situation will arise where an older instrument literally by its sound gives a track exactly what the piece needs to turn the composition into gold.
Edited by roger strange (Wed Oct 31 2007 06:20 PM)
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