I'd like to hear some opinions about a marimba on Ebay. It's item #3765317401. The seller (Falls Music Co. in New Jersey) tells me: "This is a small shop built instrument. Not a name manufacturer. Built & tuned really well. We sell alot of them to students & schools. Keys are made of paduck. Tuned to 440."

Has anyone here ever seen or played one of these instruments? The price is certainly right for my budget.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3765317401

well... it's only 3.5 octaves. It might me harder for you to get into more advanced literature, 4 mallet repertoire, without at least a 4.0 octave.