Reviewer: Prentis Drew
e-mail: thedrews@prodigy.net
Date submitted: January 4, 2005
Purchase Price: 200 (purchased "used" in 1969)
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Sound & Tone
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Rating:
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7
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Comments:
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It has a bright bell-like tone that carries very well in any setting. The lower register sound gets a little thin because of the non-graduated bars. Medium mallets work well and sound good. Hard mallets produce a fairly harsh tone. After decades of use the tuning isn't perfect but is not off to the point of being objectionable. Only the very critical would notice.
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Design & Construction
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Rating:
| 8
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Comments:
| Considering this is really an antique, it has held up very well. It has been repainted, rebelted, and restrung and looks and works like new. The single speed motor with a three-speed graduated belt drive has continued to work well, if now producing some minor gear noise. The damper mechanism has two pulls has a light touch and a wide bar that is a joy to use. It is not height adjustable but I have occasionally put it up on blocks which brings it to about 35" in height. Transportation is the high point of the design. The bars are captured to the frame which folds in a second. It makes it a bit heavy to haul around but when you show up it is ready to play in seconds. This set is well over 50 years old and has held up amazingly.
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Appearance
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Rating:
| 7
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Comments:
| This a small frame for a three octave set but with the arched resonators it looks fine on the stand. It needs a new coat of paint every 20 years or so, which keeps it looking good. The bars are still smooth and clean up wonderfully with aluminum polish.
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Customer Support
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Rating:
| no opinion
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Comments:
| Jenco - RIP. But there are lots of options for new belts ("O" rings) and chords (boot laces). Everything else you need can be had at any hardware store. It is generally dirt simple to keep in operation.
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Overall Rating
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Rating:
| 7
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Comments:
| I have messed around with this set for 30 years and except for the non-graduated bars would do so for another 30. If you can find one in good shape, or are willing to put some time into fixing up an old beater, for my money the Jenco vibe is the standard for a good used vibe. They are great student set to start on, or for casual home use, or to use for an easily transportable instrument for professionals on one night stands. They need a little TLC to keep them going and as such probably wouldn't be suitable for school use. I am a professional drummer and budding amateur vibist with a bent toward jazz and standards.
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