r/Instruments • u/electromonkey222 • 7d ago

Discussion Need Help deciding between Vibrophone and Xylophone

https://www.facebook.com/share/1H72cdamNh/

The vibrophone seller agreed to sell for $300. Has foot- operated resonator tubes.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1Cujubt4LW/

Xylophone is the same price and is a practice instrument so it's slightly muted.

Which one should I buy and why?

Thanks in advance

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u/AfroCuban68 7d ago

I’m not on FB, so it could why I’m not seeing the vibes in the link you provided.

What I see, is a wooden bar type of board. I wouldn’t call it a xylo or a marimba (definately not vibes). It doesn’t seem to be chromatic; there are no “black keys” - picture a piano keyboard, what is shown in the pic link would just be the “white keys” on the piano. So, it essentially is one key centre; CMajor (and related modes). Very limited, but suitable for young children

Am I seeing this correctly? Again, not on FB so might not be getting the full picture.

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u/electromonkey222 7d ago

I attached 2 links to the post. The first is attached to the title of the post. The second is in the body of the text. The first one is the vibrophone It features metal bars and a wooden frame.

Vibraphones are generally equipped with a motor that drives rotating disks within the resonators to produce a tremolo or vibrato effect, but this one doesnt have the motor - likely why its so cheap

The instrument includes a foot pedal connected to a damper bar, which allows the player to sustain or mute the notes.

The marimba in the second link is a 3-octave student or practice marimba, featuring padauk wood bars and a foldable X-style stand. The seller said its slightly muted and doesnt seem to think that it can be 'un-muted'