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$2500 to spend on xylophone

Posted by John on 1/27/2023, 8:42 pm

Hello everyone,

I've been granted $2500 to buy a new Xylophone for my MS band program. Based on some research and asking around, it seems that these are the top three choices for around my price.

- Yamaha 3.5 Acoustalon - YAM-YX500F ($2450)
- Musser 3.5 Kelon M51 - MUS-M51 ($2400)
- Adams 3.5 Soloist Zelon on their new Apex frame - XS1KA35 ($220)

What do you recommend I grab? I want synthetic due to the durability. The Yamaha will be on back order for a few months while both the Musser and Adams are in stock. Should I save some dough and get the Adams so I can buy myself a new say tambourine (blackswamp) or is the Yamaha/Musser that much better?

Thank everyone.

Re: $2500 to spend on xylophone

Posted by KHSA Business Develop Manager on 1/30/2023, 11:52 am, in reply to "$2500 to spend on xylophone"

Good Morning,

If this may be of additional information to consider, as the territory KHS America Business Development Manager, we offer a \Majestic X6535D Xylophone which is 3.5 oct/padauk bars/offers precision quint tuning and travelite resonators. The price is in your price range, and we currently have a few in stock in our California warehouse locations. Please note, availability is limited and pending on timing of processing the request. In closing, please visit our exhibit at TMEA next week!

Re: $2500 to spend on xylophone

Posted by Warhawk on 1/30/2023, 11:30 am, in reply to "$2500 to spend on xylophone"

Have you checked with The Bandwagon Music Store?

https://www.thebandwagonmusicstore.com/

Re: $2500 to spend on xylophone

Posted by Honest on 1/28/2023, 8:37 am, in reply to "$2500 to spend on xylophone"

I honestly don’t like Musser/Ludwig anything anymore. Yamaha and Adams both have better frames, which is way more important than one would think. Musser synthetic bars have a weird ring that the Yamahas definitely don’t have, Adams may or may not, haven’t listened to the close enough. Having a nice tambourine is a game changer too though, I would go with the Adams in your situation. Adams are also extremely easily height adjusted, if your percussionists haven’t had the ability to adjust the height of an instrument before, they will fall in love.

Side note. Yamaha bells are light years above Mussers at the same price range. High adjustment on Adams are by far the best of the major manufacturers. I would buy Yamaha timpani any day over Ludwig or even Adams, their pedal system is just so smooth.

Re: $2500 to spend on xylophone

Posted by OP on 1/29/2023, 6:00 pm, in reply to "Re: $2500 to spend on xylophone"

It seems it’s gonna have to be Adams. No one has neither the Musser or Yamahas. Expected delivery would be June-August and in my district items must be end before the school year before they certify payment. So if items come in after a certain date they automatically cancel orders and I loose the money.

Oh well. Also had a chat with a Steiveweis consultant and he mentioned the Apex frame was a game changer. He also personally preferred the Adams. He felt both Musser and Yamaha were a bit overpriced for what you get.

I’ll keep you all updated.

Re: $2500 to spend on xylophone

Posted by Transport on 1/27/2023, 10:22 pm, in reply to "$2500 to spend on xylophone"

I love my M51, but the Yamaha rolls really well and has a sturdier frame. They will sound very similar to most audiences, so you're really buying cart durability/handling, part availability, and the name. I'd go Yamaha, if you can wait for it. If you can't, the M51 is an equal asset. The Adams will be fine, especially if you really need that tambourine.

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