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Deagan Electravibe 515

Range: 3 octaves F-F

Number of Reviews: 1

Average Scores:

Sound and Tone:	8
Design and Construction:	9
Appearance:	7
Customer Support:	7
Overall Rating:	8

Reviewer: Sid Edwards e-mail: stratcom@ozemail.com.au Date submitted: August 16, 2002 Purchase Price: $Aust 750

Sound & Tone Rating: 8 Comments: This is an electronic vibe, so sound is dependant upon amplifier quality. The sound is consistent throughout. All ranges are the same. Tone and intonation are OK. This is a small bar width vibe, best played with small lightweight mallets of medium to soft density. Volume is totally dependant upon your choice of amplifier. There are NO resonators on this vibe. This vibe is equivalent in some ways to a solid body guitar, as a result the player has the facility for add on effects units to expand the available sounds. Good typical Deagan tuning all round. NB. This is an early electronic vibraphone wherein the onboard electronic circuitry is somewhat noisy by today's standards. Basically the circuitry is very simple and an upgrade could be easily accomplished by any reasonable electonics technician.

Design & Construction Rating: 9 Comments: The frame is an ABS high impact plastic case with a removable lid. The internal frame is wooden and supports the note bars. Very easy to assemble, remove lid, attach the five legs which are mounted in the lid for transport, attach damper pedal, power lead and output lead to amp and you are up and running. Therer are NO rattles. There is a screw adjustable foot on each leg offering a small range. If you are tall, buy 5 1/4 inch coach bolts from the hardware shop, they have the same thread. There are No castors. Thechord does not fray quickly as it is held by rubber grommets as the notes are not removable for transport. There is No extraneous frame noise. It is a non graduated vibe of about 1 1/4 inch width. There is no motor, as the vibrato is done electronically. The damper action is fine and wonderfully simple. This is a one case, one handle vibe for transport except for the amplifier. I have been thumping on this vibe for 26 years and it is still in tune.

Appearance Rating: 7 Comments: Not the most glamourous vibraphone around town, but is one of the most practical. This vibe looks like a large flat suitcase on five legs, not altogether unlike a Fender Rhodes piano. Bars are of silver finish and still look good after years of work. Repeating, there are no resonators.

Customer Support Rating: 7 Comments: Deagans always helped quickly and well. Two bars failed early due to miking short circuits and were not expensive at the time, circa 1974. Since this vibe was a demonstrator instrument, it was purchased without warranty.

Overall Rating Rating: 8 Comments: Absolutely superb instrument for one nighter gigs and when working in loud situations. in the "right" place I would still prefer the standard vibraphone for sound, quality etc, but the facility of the Evibe is hard to beat. The next generation of this 1972 instrument is not yet invented even allowing for all the great gear available in 2002. It is used for Jazz, latin and medium rock/disco. This vibe would be a useful adjunct in all areas of modern music, though perhaps not for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra yet.