Reviewer: Roy Pertchik
e-mail: RoyPertchik@RCN.com
Date submitted: February 10, 2003
Purchase Price: n/a
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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 graduated bar vibe has a lovely, rich dark tone. It's quite unlike any other vibe I know. On the low end, it has a little bit of the earthy tone of a marimba, and it is mellow, round, and full throughout. The high end is very clear and mellow, without any of the harsh overtones I hear even on other top brands. It's a very sweet and sensative sound.
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Design & Construction
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Rating:
| 10
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Comments:
| The frame is rock solid. There are no rattles, period. Every component is isolated with a nylon block or bushing. The frame is height adjustable. The damper system is completely silent and completely effective and even throughout. Assemby varies from model to model, but mine is quite logical and practical for gigging. It is a little heavy in construction compared to the Pro-Traveler, for example, but the sturdiness is worth it to me. Nico custom builds each vibe, so you can specify any particulars you desire. Mine is a prototype for an experimental chromatic layout (see http://users.rcn.com/roypertchik/2ndPage/Music/theory1.htm for more info). You can find little tell tale signs here and there that Nico's is a small operation; magic marker notes to himself identifying Left from Right on some parts, hand made little metal components to hold certain screws in place, etc. I have no doubt that as production picks up a bit, some of these quirks will be replaced by more streamlined solutions. That said, the overall quality is absolutely excellent.
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Appearance
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Rating:
| 10
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Comments:
| Well, I love the functional look of this vibe. The frame is "hard anodized" black aluminum, the resonators are powder coated "crackle finish" gray, and the bars are in three colors (see web site listed above)
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Customer Support
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Rating:
| 10
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Comments:
| Nico is a completely custom builder and an artist. His determination to ensure customer satisfaction is "old world". His dedication is unsurpassed. For my project, he was more of a collaborator in designing my experimental vibe than a mere manufacturer.
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Overall Rating
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Rating:
| 10
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Comments:
| I am delighted with this instrument. I play jazz and write classical/jazz oriented personal music. I would recomend Nico's vibes to any serious player.
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