Reviewer: Martin Gierke
e-mail: mgierke@insightbb.com
Date submitted: Sept. 27, 2003
Purchase Price: $950, purchased "used"
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Sound & Tone
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Rating:
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10
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Comments:
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This instrument sings! It has a bright, clear sound with no obvious shifts in tone or richness throughout the 3 Octave range. It's quite easy to get a high volume of sound from it, and the use of harder mallets results in a nice attack that cuts through. With softer mallets, the 510 can be made to swell with deep waves of sound that build gently and resonate forever.
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Design & Construction
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Rating:
| 9
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Comments:
| Having taken my 510 completely apart, I can honestly say I have a lot of respect for the designers. It is well thought out, and is made to fold up compactly. As my particular instrument is more than 50 years old, it had its share of loose joints and fittings. These were easily repaired as the restoration continued. I replaced the screws with stainless duplicates, and the casters were changed to new Faultless non-marking type.
I changed the original eyelet-type bar supports to the post-type to allow bar removal for transportation. Not a difficult job if you take your time.
Bars are semi-graduated, with only a slight narrowing at the top. The specific metal remains a mystery, as only these models sound the way they do.
The damper pedal is first-generation for this model. Simply a bent piece of metal designed to flex and pull a braided wire attached to the damper bar. It works, but I would like to install a more solid pedal assembly someday.
The fact that this vibe is over half a century old speaks to the longevity of the design.
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Appearance
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Rating:
| 10
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Comments:
| The original finish on my instrument was long gone, so I had to decide whether to repaint the original cream,grey colors or change it. I ended up painting the frame gloss black lacquer, as the legs and supports are chrome. The resonators are silver/aluminum, as they were originally. With the polished bars, it is quite striking!
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Customer Support
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Rating:
| 10
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Comments:
| I have had no problem getting parts and advice from Century Mallet Instrument Service in Chicago - located in the original Deagan factory and owned by a former Deagan master craftsman. It's nice to know this instrument came from such a wonderful place.
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Overall Rating
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Rating:
| 10
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Comments:
| I have no hesitation to recommend this model to anyone, and I would gladly buy another. I look forward to owning a larger Deagan vibe someday, but this model is very special.
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Reviewer: Ted Merkle
e-mail: tedmerkle@myrealbox.com
Date submitted: Dec. 1, 2002
Purchase Price: $1,800, purchased "used"
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Sound & Tone
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Rating:
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9
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Comments:
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Bright bell-like sound from alluminum and steel alloy bars.
Narrow bars 1 1/4 inches wide below middle C and 1 1/8 inch above middle C.
Medium volume capability.
Average projection.
Excellent sound with silver cord Balter jazz mallets.
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Design & Construction
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Rating:
| 10
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Comments:
| Solid wood frame.
U shaped, single piece, bent pipe style legs that are rounded at corners that fold under unit.
No rattles.
No frame height adjustment.
Heavy duty black locking casters.
Solid, solid, solid instrument.
Resonators sit snuggly in rubber bushings.
Bars stay on instrument. Heavy to to move.
Motor is single speed Merkle-Korff. Quiet.
Damper bar is full size bar style (not single pedal style).
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Appearance
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Rating:
| 10
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Comments:
| Frame is a yellow cream color with grey trim on frame edges. Made in the 1950's - has very retro appearance. Legs are not chrome, but a textured grey color. Resonators are heavy and silver.
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Customer Support
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Rating:
| 9
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Comments:
| Serviced by Gilberto Serna at Century Mallet in Chicago, IL - USA.
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Overall Rating
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Rating:
| 9
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Comments:
| Very happy with instrument.
Yes would buy it again.
Would buy any Deagan vibes or bells.
Primary used is jazz combo.
Vintage instrument suitable for pro or serious student.
Would recommend using other instruments for school setting due to abuse factor. Instrument would stand up to abuse, but since it's no longer manufactured, would decrease it's value and collectability.
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