Hello I am looking for a 4.3 octave marimba and have heard different things about just every type of marimba, malletech, musser, kori... so I would greatly appreciate some suggestions from someone instead of chasing myself in circles for weeks and weeks as I have been doing. Thand you very much for any imput you might have.

Bill Bittmann.

This is a much talked about topic in the past,
but generally people agree on the fact that Adams makes reliable
instruments also their travel frame break down better then all
other brands. It would make a perfect gig instrument if you
purchase either the soloist model or the artist model.
However, if you are looking particulary for the sound quality,
malletech, marimba one and yamaha (and adams for that matter) are
still being considered superior. Although alot of people fear
the lower octaves of malletech instruments as the design simply
doesn't allow the way you would play on a yamaha or an adams.
Just my 2 cents.

Paul

I think that for a 4 1/3 instrument a good combination of quality and price is the musser 250. This marimba is a classic and standard which on average (varies slightly instrument to instrument) sounds very good. However, if you have the means, Ron Samuels at marimba one can build a fine marimba.