Ep. 10 Marimba One Review

[@SHdrummerguy08]

We've got a Marimba One at my university, and I absolutely adore it. If I ever buy my own marimba, it'll definitely be a One.

[@FollowJesus777-KING]

So did you ever buy one

[@michael_Calhoun]

@@FollowJesus777-KING good question

[@migueliglesias4890]

Marimbas are fascinating. I've been a Frank Zappa admirer for more than four decades and the the marimba's sound spectrum have always had something that made most of Frank's music so wonderfully full of sound, colour and flavor.

[@williamshimusic]

the giant X on your high C, I believed, is when the sidetone is too close to its 2nd harmonics (fundamental in this case if it is too high), it creates dissonance. If the bar sounds "flawed", usually there are multiple ways to resolve the problem. Cutting a X or straight line across the bar sometimes did work well, but not in every case (to bring the sidetone away from the double octave). It's more possible that the X is for tuning side tones instead of marking bars. I tuned 1 bar on my marimba back in the home. it's also a big X under the arc.

[@Marimbalogy]

Yep! I have since learned that it is a tuning technique! So interesting!

[@KarlSheen]

Ello there! just a quick one...the unusual bass is called a "Haskell Bass" it was a early 20C invention for organs, a resonator within a resonator creating the tone of a open pipe in a stoppered

[@tanner1548]

Watching this as a 27-year old 5'5" Olympic lifter, and I'm glad that Mode has their resonators split into 8 pieces (total). Did you end up making the video about tunable resonators? My Mode 5 is supposed to arrive in less than 2 weeks (going mad with excitement!) and has tunable resonators, and I'm planning to play it at home (so, small space in which to play/practice). It'd be great to get your input on the tuning if you've already made a video. (I'll go look for it myself right now, of course.) Hope all is well with you and the family! :D

[@Marimbalogy]

That's awesome! I hope you like it! I didn't get to do a video about the resonators specifically. I think Malletech has a couple tutorials. :")

[@tanner1548]

@@Marimbalogy turns out the video Mode did themselves is find. I'll just find an app for audio processing so I can really see the resonance.

[@MarimbaMJ]

Great Video! Are those 6 or 7 bars in the top octave on backwards? The pitch name should be stamped on the underside of the bars. On the natural manual, the pitch names should all be facing the inner 2 rails. If the pitch names on these bars are facing the opposite direction of the others (performer's side), taking them off and turning them around should solve this issue. I couldn't really tell from your close ups if this is the case. It happened to a few of my bars after I got them re-tuned.

[@vxla]

Great video, thanks! Regarding the upper register, have you checked any other instrument makers? I'm thinking it may be an issue with the nodal point and not being able to space out the holes properly.

[@doninetexas]

I now have a better understanding of why the set of bags cost so much. Great job on engineering them (as well as the instrument). My Musser (35 yr old) marimba has the holes for the cord cut straight on front (towards player) edge of each bar on the main keyboard; the upper keyboard they are at an angle making the cord go straight. Wonder if the Marimba One is the same way? Can't figure out why the difference between keyboards. Now all I have to do is save my coins for my Marimba One.

[@Marimbalogy]

@vxla Hey there! I have not seen one with the problem to the extent that mine has. I have a feeling that the bars are tuned according to where the node naturally lies. But at the same time, you'd think that would pass quality control.

[@DeeboComing]

So after nearly 10 years, how has the instrument held up and what all have you had to do as far as maintenance??

[@Marimbalogy]

It has held up GREAT. I got it tuned in year 3 because it was included in the purchase. I was going to get it tuned this year, but I checked it with a tuner and only the low C# was out of tune (and not by much) I've also been really careful about keeping it away from humidity, but I do take it out 3-4 times a year for performances. The frame is rock solid and they've made some small improvements overtime like how the bar attaches to the frame. No rattles. No issues. I don't know much about the izzy frame, but the 3100 series frame is such a boss!

[@DeeboComing]

@@Marimbalogy that's really good to hear. I'm looking to get one myself here in the near future. I'm still undecided on the cases though 🤦🏾‍♂️

[@Marimbalogy]

I know they are expensive, but it's such a huge instrument, the risk of damage when transporting is very high if you don't have cases. So if you plan on traveling at all, I highly recomend it!

[@DeeboComing]

@@Marimbalogy yeah you're right. I had planned on getting the BB resonators and the enhanced keyboard on the Izzy frame with no cases, but what I'll probably do instead is just get the traditional keyboard and the money saved from that will be put towards the cases.

[@terahlandy3013]

How on Earth did you afford this thing? It's freaking beautiful! I won't be able to afford a marimba for another few years or so (I just started my last year of college). Did you ever purchase a used marimba to start out with or anything like that?

[@Marimbalogy]

Terah Landy Well I took out a loan and paid monthly for a few years :) Luckily I could take out the loan from a family member so the interest was minimal!

[@Griffin그리핀]

When it comes to Marimba One. You are definitely getting a quality product 1000%. However, i think something that makes this brand the best is customer service and responsiveness from the company. I've never heard of anyone having a problem with their marimba that wasn't fixed or replaced shortly.

[@Marimbalogy]

Truth!

[@kpsholinder]

This may not be the problem but at my high school I took a marimba home over the summer and had to replace this string before transporting because it was about to snap. Anyways I accidentally threaded some of them backwards and because the holes are normally drilled at a slight slant (to accomadte the fact the vars are getting longer) I experienced that same exact problem with the cords not fitting properly. May not be the problem but it could be worth checking out.

[@Marimbalogy]

Thanks! It turned out that my rail was bent up, they sent me a new one!

[@kpsholinder]

Cool! glad you got it fixed!

[@SeanSurprenant]

What are your thoughts (if any) on dynasty and adams concert series marimbas? I'm trying to do some research before buying, but it's hard because my university mostly uses yamaha keyboards. Thanks in advance for any information!

[@Marimbalogy]

Hello everyone! Looks like my number 2 rail is warped. See the link in the description for details!

[@Marimbalogy]

@SeanSurprenant I've only played a dynasty in a crowded DCI showroom. If you email Mark Ford I'm sure he can help you out with more specific information (he designed it after all!) As far as adams, I've been skeptical of the square resonators, but I played on Andy Harnsbergers in a master class one time and his sounded out of this world. Sorry I can't help you out with more info! I'd love to get all the major marimbas on one stage and do an episode sometime on their sounds :)

[@tanner1548]

Seems like the kind of thing that could and should happen at a PASIC conference. (Maybe it has happened in the last decade...)

[@Marimbalogy]

@MarimbaMJ I just put it together last night and double checked this. They are on right, all the letters are in a row. They don't appear to be drilled backwards either. So I have no clue what's up. Ron gave me a ring last week so he may be able to explain it. I'll update after the call.

[@Marimbalogy]

I use Parachute cord for the schools that I teach at, but I can hear a difference on my marimba :)

[@jovonmilfordpercussion4752]

@Marimbalogy where you you recommend to rent this instrument....Im interested in owning my own marimba

[@Marimbalogy]

+Jovon Milford I'm not sure where you live, but you can do a google search to see if you can find somewhere that rents!

[@izzyjr.4666]

Hello, I have a marimba one and was preparing for the day when the string broke, I found out how much the string costs from them and I was wondering if you use their string or a different one and if it makes that big of a difference on the sound quality.

[@Marimbalogy]

+Izzy Jr. Hi there! Sorry for the late reply! I haven't found that the string changes the bar sound, however, depending on what you use it can make unwanted noise. My professor used to use paracord to replace marimba string, but some brands made an audible slapping sound.

[@izzyjr.4666]

Thank you very much for the response.

[@Marimbalogy]

@johnny30959 That's probably it. I notice no sound difference as stated in the vid!

[@JonasWeckschmied]

I always thought the X under the bar was to tune the torsional and lateral modes, I guess I was wrong

[@Marimbalogy]

It is:) They cleared that up for me.

[@williamshimusic]

RIght. its' not for tuning the modes of course. but I believe that it's very possible something with sidetone.

[@nicks1258]

I have had the luxury of playing a One for a night, fantastic marimba no rattles no matter how many mallets are playing your low c chord haha, on a regular basis I practice on a Yamaha 4.5 octave, wonderfully marimba if only a set of Rosewood keys wernt 7500

[@omarrangel6557]

Man i really wish i could have a marimba in my own house so i could play and study all day

[@Marimbalogy]

@doninetexas I've been very happy with mine! Very sturdy. I've taken it apart like a hundred times. Still goes together well!

[@kearsenerwin8370]

I play the oboe.Why is this so interesting to me?

[@Marimbalogy]

Kearsen Erwin I used to play the Oboe as well! Maybe marimbas are just that awesome!

[@EpicMind500]

You said you used burton, do you use burton for Marimba literature?

[@Marimbalogy]

+DashBoardMaster Yes. For one I like to keep up with both grips. But some music is just easier with burton. Particularly if there are lots of double vertical strokes.

[@nathanpiazza9644]

😍😍😍 I want one~*~*~*~

[@MysticFogGarden]

Hi, I will have to disagree with your assumtion, see that model is designed after the Deagan keyboard, real honduran rose would that sound like glass, and everything made by hand, and it is built with brass resonators with Triple chrome, wing nut type connectors and can break down into 2 large suite cases, albit its a 3.3 octive f-c, but you cant realy hear bass anyway and a clank above that last c....everything is about looks and hype, spend 2,500 on a deagan, and you'll love the belize/western honduran rose wood tuned to A-440, and never tune.... that wood doesnt need oiling or tuning....get a one owner. better that spending 14K on poor workmanship and padoka wood.

[@Marimbalogy]

Your comment is a bit hard to follow. My marimba is Rosewood not Padouk.

[@fortythirty]

$2000 for the case....

[@Marimbalogy]

Yea, but they are really really nice :)