This is a repost. The first post used tables for the pricing and did not show up.
I am looking for opinions on various Marimbas. I am looking to purchase a new Marimba for my son. He is currently 13 years old and plays the Marimba in the school band. I have looked at all the messages posted on the board and searched the Internet for various comments. I would like something that sounds good and will last through college years at least. While I would like to purchase a quality instrument, I do not want to overbuy.
Of the various models below, I am looking for people's opinion of them as you cannot go to a store and see them. Durability is an important factor. For example, do the wooden bars have a tendency to crack over time? Do you need to have the bars retuned over time. Is there parts that age or were out that have to be replaced. Any comment would be appreciated, unfortunately I do not know enough to ask specific questions.
In no particular order:
All pricing is in US dollars and came from the website or catalog
MFG/Model List Price LoneStar Wwand BW
Adams
CK43 4.3 Oct Concert Synthetic 4,950 $3,218 Not Listed
Malletech
Totally out of my price range
Mussar
M-31 4 Oct C-C Windsor II $3,745 2,247 $2,380
M-32 4-Oct Studio Padouk $2,500 $1,500 $1,590
M-240 4 1/3 Oct A-C Padouk Studio Grand $4500 $2,700 $2,860
M-300 4 1/3 Oct A-C Synthetic Classic Grand $5,565 $3,339 $3,535
M-245 4 1/3 Oct A-C Rose Wood Studio Grand $7,500 $4,500 $4,765
Premier
430 Synthetic $5,395 $3,237 Not Listed
Yamaha
YM 1430 4 1/3 Oct Padouk $3,210 N/A $2,265
YM 2400 4 1/3 Oct Synthetic $5,195 N/A $3,665
Note: Lonestar does not carry Yamaha
KORI
All models, 4.3 Oct, Lonestar does not carry the Kori Brand and WWandBW do not list the sale price.
Does anyone now why Kori models all list so much cheaper that other manufactures.
Thanks in advance for any and all comments
Steve
My appologies for the way the pricing is comming out. I used hard spaces to build the table. When I posted it, all excess spaces were stripped out.
Here is a resend using dashes to build the table.
MFG/Model-------------------------------------------------List Price--------LoneStar-------- Wwand BW
Adams
CK43 4.3 Oct Concert Synthetic-------------------------$4,950--------$3,218--------Not Listed
Malletech
Totally out of my price range
Mussar
M-31 4 Oct C-C Windsor II-------------------------------$3,745--------2,247--------$2,380
M-32 4-Oct Studio Padouk -------------------------------$2,500--------$1,500--------$1,590
M-240 4 1/3 Oct A-C Padouk Studio Grand-------------$4500--------$2,700--------$2,860
M-300 4 1/3 Oct A-C Synthetic Classic Grand---------- $5,565--------$3,339--------$3,535
M-245 4 1/3 Oct A-C Rose Wood Studio Grand--------$7,500--------$4,500--------$4,765
Premier
430 Synthetic--------------------------------------------------$5,395--------$3,237--------Not Listed
Yamaha
YM 1430 4 1/3 Oct Padouk--------------------------------$3,210--------N/A--------$2,265
YM 2400 4 1/3 Oct Synthetic-------------------------------$5,195--------N/A--------$3,665
Note: Lonestar does not carry Yamaha
KORI
All models, 4.3 Oct, Lonestar does not carry the Kori Brand and WWandBW do not list the sale price.
Does anyone now why Kori models all list so much cheaper that other manufactures.
Well, we are in the same situation. The best prices seem to be from percussionsource (their web site percussionsource.com) and I recommend going on to Kori web site (custommusiccorp.com) for info and call Dr.Kristen Tait for pricing. They do not seem to inflate their list price and then give a discount on selling price! I know much about their marimbas but they seemto have good reputation and seemed offer several choices to fit a student's need and budget. I have not seen or heard any of their instrument and I am even capable of judjing tone etc.
I am also looking for help and post my experiences here. Thanks
Nagesh
