I am going to be purchasing a 4.3 octave keylon marimba for my program. I was considering yamaha. The salesman from a local music store told me that Ross makes and instrumet of similar quality, but it is a few dollars less. It will be used for concert band. It will not be taken outside for marching band. Any info on these instruments would be appreciated.
Thanks.

I assume that you are comparing the Ross Kelon instrument to the Yamaha Acoustilon, as AFAIK Yammy makes only rosewood, padouk and acoustilon instruments. Isnt' Kelon a trademark of Musser anyway?

I would have to recommend that you get the Yamaha over the Ross as in my experience even the lower end Yamahas are of much better quality than anything Ross makes. While I have never played a Ross Kelon instrument, and I've only briefly played the Ross rosewood, I have spent a great deal of time with a Yamaha 4.3 Acoustilon. I was very impressed with the Yamaha. It was by far the best synthetic marimba I have ever played on. The sound is second only to wood, and the frame is sturdy enough to take anything school children can dish out at it. Also, the height adjustment is a plus in any educational setting. I think it'd definitly be worth the extra money to get the Yamaha instrument.
-Kevin Kosnik

I would have to agree with Kevin. The Yamaha instrument will be a better bet. If the instrument is going to stay indoors you might want to come up with a few more dollars and go with the rosewood. They are beautiful instruments.
Good Luck