Hi.. I used to play the marimba back in high school, and I've missed it ever since. I even dream about the marimba!

It's my goal to someday buy one, but though I've usually counted out getting it before I buy a house, I thought I'd ask here. Has anyone had any experience using a marimba in an apartment? I'm just curious how loud the thing is... I wouldn't want my neighbors to hear it, though it could be some nice payback for the way they stomp around 😛

hello...
I rent marimbas and some of the older
college/adult renters have been in apartments...
my rosewood "practice" marimbas do not have the
resonator tubes so that help reduce the volume
but doesnt adversely effect the sound/pitch...

I've lived in two different apartments since buying a 5.0 octave and nobody has complained yet.

I try to practice shortly after work and never later than 9 pm. Where I am now, I don't have a safe place to stash the resonators so I left them on. Still no complaints.

One thing you might want to look for is an apartment with two levels. That way, if the marimba is on your second floor, there's nobody directly beneath it to get annoyed.