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Musser M-75 "Century" Vibraphone

Range: 3 octaves, F-F

Number of Reviews: 2

Average Scores:

Sound and Tone:	8
Design and Construction:	8
Appearance:	8
Customer Support:	1
Overall Rating:	7

Reviewer: Tim Logan e-mail: not available Date submitted: September 7, 2002 Purchase Price: $1900, "used"

Sound & Tone Rating: 8 Comments: This instrument sounds especially rich in the mid to low register. It also sounds best with medium mallets ... Good Vibes Burton (purple).

Design & Construction Rating: 8 Comments: This thing is a tank. I bought it from a place that rents instruments in New York so God only knows what it's been through. I immediately took it apart, sanded it down, repainted it, replaced the wood panel that covers the sides and recovered with a leatherette material. Additionally, I repainted all metal parts gold and replaced the rubber on the bar supports with surgical tubing. No more problems with the black gooey stuff that Musser ships with.

Appearance Rating: 8 Comments: The instrument IMHO looks pretty darn good now after my mods and upgrades. I would however like to get the bars tuned and oxidized in gold.

Customer Support Rating: n/a Comments:

Overall Rating Rating: 8 Comments: I have really enjoyed this instrument. I feel I got it for a steal and with my TLC, it's something I can be proud of! It's a great sounding instrument but portability is a big problem. I have a Honda Civic so transporting this beast would be a big problem!

Reviewer: S.Anthony e-mail: not available Date submitted: October 2, 2002 Purchase Price: $3737 Sound & Tone Rating: 8 Comments: The keyboard except for the last few notes of the highest octave is generally quite responsive. The top octave tends to lose that "bite" unless substantially harder mallets are used. Generally the sound is remarkably consistent throughout the entire range with probably the B below middle C being the weakest note on my instrument. The amount of ring seems to be consistent throughout. Being a Musser, its tone isn't remarkably unique in character but it produces a most respectable and full sound. Intonation could be slightly better in some places. When certain notes are played together in a chord, there at times can occur somewhat "warbling" tone. This may not necessarily be the bars but rather the resonators, still..........a a little inaccuracy in tuning if listened to very closely is apparant. The instrument definately produces ample volume. Design & Construction Rating: 8 Comments: The frame is quite solid however the wheels have to be positioned in a certain way in order for the frame not to shift to the right. It's also quite easy to assemble and disasseble although with the help of another individual it takes much less time. No noises are produced by the frame. The motor is also rather quiet and the fans work rather nicely. The pedal is a rather simple and antiquated design but it still works quite well. The instrument has stood the test of time. Appearance Rating: 8 Comments: The instrument looks very classic and elegant. One problem with my particular instrument is that the black gloss lacquer on the rails and endboards has developed cracks throughout it. This is not acceptable. The lacquer was applied in the incorrect fashion or a very cheap quality lacquer was used. This is the most disappointing experience with my instrument. The resonators and finish look great. Customer Support Rating: 1 Comments: I spoke to a Musser engineer regarding the lacquer problem. Although he did respond, his arguments were lame and not really acceptable. His suggestion was to contact the retailer (Steve Weiss Music) and go through him. Since I don't live in the U.S, this was not really viable. A little too much red tape here. Overall Rating Rating: 8 Comments: The M75 is a good instrument although I feel quality, in my case the lacquer, is definately an issue. Paying thet kind of money for an instrument and then having the finish just crack all over it is really not acceptable. I wouldn't buy a Musser again because of these quality issues. I think there are smaller companies out there making much better instruments. The instrument is used mainly in a solo setting. It is a professional instrument but again, quality is an issue.