I am buying a marimba. I think it's going to be a 4.3 octave marimba. I am going with Padauk wood. I just have to decide which brand to get. Both Marcon, Adams, and Yamaha are the same price. Does anyone have any suggestions.
thanks

I dont know about the marcon, but I bought a Yamaha 1430 AND an Adams 4 1/3 Padauk, and the Adams is slightly better. The adams rails and resonators fold, the Yamaha does not. They also tune father up the partial ladder on adams. The bars on both look a like, and the Musser 4 octive is terrible. My two cents worth.

....holding my breath....The rep I bought BOTH of them from said that Adams tunes farther up the overtone series(partials) then Yamaha. I did have them on stage once together and could not choose one as being "better". You are on the right track as far as looking for the better "sounding" one, not just what packs up better. But I dont think there is much sound difference, and you may re-sell this and the Adams might be better because of the break down abillity. I think they are both tuned at A-442, and Adams comes with a cover, Yamaha did not. I am in S.E. Ohio (WV teacher) and have several young students who own several of these. Good luck....Dont use hard rubber, Padauk dents easily!! Scott Kitchen