I am getting a Marimba help!

[DrummerEH]

O.k. it has been a long time since I have posted hear, I made one thread a few years ago about buying a marimba, but this time I'm serious, I have the money and am ready to commit. I want something that's good but that also doesn't cost a ton of money and I also want something I can re sell for a good price for when I decide to buy a 5.0 octave. I love the sound of rosewood and would like to get a rosewood instrument but am open to other suggestions if you know of other woods that sound like rosewood and are cheaper.
I am very close to buying this instrument from woodwind brass wind, http://wwbw.com/Grover-Artist's-Choice-Protege-4.3-Octave-Marimba-i761703.music please tell me if you've had any experience with it good or bad. I'm open to any suggested brands and other models of marimbas as long I can get them in the US and it doesn't cost more then $5000.
Thanks

[David Hollywood]

You should call Grover and ask them how many of those they've ever sold. Seriously, now that Grover is distrbuting Premier I can't imagine they'll sell too many keyboard instruments. I would go with:

Adams MSHV43
or
Korogi Standard

They are both 4.3 Octave Rosewood Instruments. If you're going to get Rosewood, I'm almost tempted to say you should just get a 5.0 Octave. I've never really understood paying for Rosewood Bars on an instrument that isn't "full size". Just my opinion.

[DrummerEH]

You should call Grover and ask them how many of those they've ever sold. Seriously, now that Grover is distrbuting Premier I can't imagine they'll sell too many keyboard instruments. I would go with:

Adams MSHV43
or
Korogi Standard

They are both 4.3 Octave Rosewood Instruments. If you're going to get Rosewood, I'm almost tempted to say you should just get a 5.0 Octave. I've never really understood paying for Rosewood Bars on an instrument that isn't "full size". Just my opinion.

I would love to get a 5.0 octave but I don't have the money!!!
I thought heavily about getting something that's more money like the Adams or korogi but again my budget is big but it's not unlimited. So if you know of a place where I can get wither of those for less than $4000 tell me but otherwise I'm stuck with the Grover.
Thanks

[Shawn Lafrenz]

If this is something you are really serious about, then I would going for bar configuration before bar type. In other words, try to get into a full 4.3 "wide bar" concert instrument - this will make your transition to rosewood even easier because you will already be comfortable playing on a professional scale instrument.

From an Adams perspective, this would mean getting into a MCKV43 Concert 4.3 Zelon Synthetic bar, and then when you are ready purchasing just a MCRWS43 rosewood bar set to swap out. The added benefit here is that you'll then have 2 bar sets for indoor / outdoor venues. Another way of thinking about it: a synthetic set to hash out the notes on, and then a rosewood set to polish off. This is also going to be a desirable instrument down the road for trade or sale because there will be another person just like you in the same situation and will get the same benefit of stepping into a full sized instrument.

Getting into a wide bar instrument will be the best long term investment due to the technique you will gain. Good Luck!

[Marimba6]

Uh, since this is the Adams/Pearl forum...this should work:
http://www.percussionsource.com/Prod...&prodid=D00151

[timdrums08]

I'd definitely go for the adams, I've used several different brands in the past, but none compare to adams. If you can afford to get that adams rosewood, or even do the synthetic and rosewood bar swap thing, then I'd definitely do it. Its money well spent man.

[bzizzle]

I think Shawn's advice is solid. I had never considered buying the 4.3 octave synthetic and swapping out with the rosewood later...having a set of each...great idea!

Ultimately I would opt for the Adams MAHV43 as it has "wide concert bars" and if you anticipate someday wanting to upgrade to a 5 oct, you can get the conversion kit, which doesn't work on the above listed MSHV43.

Personally, my dream is to own a Korogi Spirits someday. Fantastic instrument with a beautiful frame...

[nativeguy]

If I was buying a marimba, I'd save up for a Marimba-one. The most beautifully sounding marimbas I've ever played on.

[pearlreference7101]

If I was buying a marimba, I'd save up for a Marimba-one. The most beautifully sounding marimbas I've ever played on.

+1

[Artisan]

I love marimbas.