Thinking of buying a vibraphone

[six string]

There are two vibraphones for sale in my area, a Deagan model #1000 and a Musser Model 45. The former is going for $2200, the latter $1900. I've never played vibes before but I'd like to learn. I know next to nothing about them except for a little reading on the 'net yesterday. Any pointers on what to look for, like how to tell if the felt is worn or needing replacement sooner than later, etc. I know the Deagan was top of the line in its day. It was owned by someone who has passed away. I'm going to see it Sunday. I haven't contacted the owner of the Musser yet.

[.:.impossible]

Don't worry about the felt. You are going to want to replace it with a gel filled damper pad anyway. Do a search for vanderplaas.

The Deagan 1000 is known as the Aurora. I would buy it for that price sight unseen. Unfortunately, it is not a very portable instrument.

The Musser 45 is known as the One Nighter. It is very portable as vibraphones go.

So... Depends on how you think you'll be using it. The Aurora is underpriced if it is in any kind of care.

Hope that helps.

[marcello]

The Vibesworkshop.com website might be a big help to you in both your purchase and lessons.

[six string]

Thanks guys for the responses. The vibes will not leave the house much if at all so portability is not an issue. My gut feeling was correct about the Deagan. I'm going to look at the Musser but my heart is already thinking Aurora! It belonged to a man who passed a way recently I believe because the son is selling it and it's being stored at a church in the meantime. The son is a musician too but he doesn't play vibes. There's only a $300 difference between the Deagan and the Musser and the Musser is a firm price too (so he says). For that difference alone I would take the better instrument.

I discovered that website too (yesterday) but thanks for mentioning it. If I get this Deagan, I plan on joining. I'm losing a piano but I'm pretty excited about the prospect of owning a vibraphone.

Oh and I read about the gel filled dampners so although I don't know much yet I can see why that would be an improvement.

Edited December 5, 2010 by six string

[six string]

Someone bought the Deagan yesterday. I'm gutted. I was thinking about that Deagan last night as I fell asleep, looking forward to seeing it today and checked my emails to discover the bad news.

[.:.impossible]

It was a steal. Sorry to hear that. The odds of another Aurora at that price in your lifetime are very slim. Jump on the next good condition instrument you see in that price range.

[six string]

I was sooo disappointed when I got that email. I would have gone to see it that day but I had to work. I'm going to look at the Musser 45 tomorrow or Thursday. The person selling it is upgrading and his price is firm at $1900.

[six string]

I ran into an old musical partner who has a Deagan vibe in storage that she would sell for for $1,000.00. I didn't ask her what the model number was but it's a three octave portable model. I'm going to sleep on the idea but it sounds like a good deal and she has no plans for playing it anymore so it would be helping her out as well. No sense in an instrument sitting in storage if it's not going to be played.