<h1><strong><em>How To Buy A Used Marimba</em></strong></h1> Unfortunately your browser does not support frames. Please update your browser, and if you like, read a quick summary for this page and check out some of these other pages, maybe your browser can handle them: <br /> <a title="How To Make A Wooden Xylophone" alt="How To Make A Wooden Xylophone" href="http://www.marimbasxylophonesglockenspielsvibraphones.com/xylophones/build/how-to-make-a-wooden-xylophone.html"><strong>How To Make A Wooden Xylophone</strong></a> <br /> <a title="Used Marimba Resource" alt="Used Marimba Resource" href="http://www.marimbasxylophonesglockenspielsvibraphones.com/marimbas/used/don%27t-buy-a-used-marimba-learn-how-to-make-a-marimba-instead.html"><strong>Used Marimba Resource</strong></a> <br /> <a title="How To Buy A Used Marimba" alt="How To Buy A Used Marimba" href="http://www.marimbasxylophonesglockenspielsvibraphones.com/marimbas/used/how-to-buy-a-used-marimba.html"><strong>How To Buy A Used Marimba</strong></a> <br /> <a title="Student Xylophone" alt="Student Xylophone" href="http://www.marimbasxylophonesglockenspielsvibraphones.com/xylophones/build/build-a-student-xylophone.html"><strong>Make A Student Xylophone</strong></a> <br /> <a title="Used Vibraphone Resource" alt="Used Vibraphone Resource" href="http://www.marimbasxylophonesglockenspielsvibraphones.com/vibraphones/used/don%27t-buy-a-used-vibraphone-learn-how-to-make-a-vibraphone-instead.html"><strong>Used Vibraphone Resource</strong></a> <br /> <a title="Homemade xylophone diy make a xylophone" alt="Homemade xylophone diy make a xylophone" href="http://www.marimbasxylophonesglockenspielsvibraphones.com/xylophones/build/how-to-make-a-xylophone-homemade-xylophone-guide.html"><strong>How To Make A Xylophone - Homemade Xylophone DIY Guide</strong></a> <br /> <br /> <h2><strong><em>How To Buy A Used Marimba</em></strong> - Page Summary</h2> <strong>There are many marimbas that you can buy new or used</strong>. However a lot of the used marimbas are overprised, and damaged. My friend sent me an email outlining some great proceedures to follow to ensure that you get only the best used marimba. <br /> <br /> It's important to call around first and gather as much detail about the instrument as you can. Find out who the previous owner was (a musician or a regular homosapien), why they are selling it, and if there is anything wrong with it. <br /> <br /> Make sure you always touch it, play it, feel it before you buy it. Wheel it around a bit as well, to ensure that the used marimba will not fall appart. <br /> <br /> Then the other option you always have is to <strong>make a marimba</strong> on your own. It really isn't all that difficult and will probably take you only a few days, but it'll save you a ton of money. Good luck on your project!

I told my friend that I was considering buying a

used marimba

and she quickly emailed me back with this email. I edited it a bit to get rid of the personal details, and added bullet points where needed, but if you're going to buy a marimba, you should definitely read it. It's good advice.

How To Buy A Used Marimba

Are you considering buying a used marimba? Well before you make that purchase, there are certain things you should consider. Like most music instruments, a good marimba is very expensive, while a cheap knock-off is hard to find. The reason: marimbas are not that popular as an instrument, as so their supply is very low.

For example, the marimba I wanted to buy was anywhere between $8,000 to $12,000, and I was just unwilling to spend that kind of money. So I too thought that it would be wise to

buy a used marimba

instead. Boy was I wrong... I'm not saying buy a brand new marimba, I just want you to take a few things into consideration when you shop around. I shared my brother's professional 5 octave marimba, and I got pretty familiar with the instrument. Finally when I moved to another city I had to buy one of my own. Because I lived in a large city though, I'd say I had a greater selection. You I'll assume will be looking through classifieds? Be careful what you buy.

There is a lot of crap out there! I drove around the city over a month to see maybe 10 or so peole that were selling their used marimbas, until I saw a marimba I was willing to buy. And by-the-way NEVER buy it online to have shipped to you. Seriously, you'll end up paying a ton for shipping and you don't know what you'll get. I'd say more than half of the used marimbas I went out to see were different from what the picture and the description in the classified. (Some in a minor way, a few were a different instrument all together)

Anyway, when you

buy a used marimba

, here's what you do:
  • Be sure to call ahead and ask specific questions, like how old the item is, and who has played it before.
  • It also helps to know who is selling it and why.
    • If a musician is selling it because his lifestyle changed, or he is moving to another city or whatever, you probably will get a great marimba, and may even find a great deal on it. There aren't that many sellers, but there aren't that many buyers either, so if you're lucky to find a motivated seller, you can negotiate.... Hopefully that musician kept better care of the instrument too!
  • You can find this out by over the phone just by asking how long they had it, and why they're selling. This way you'll save yourself a trip if things sound off.

    • Once you do get out to have a look at the marimba, make sure you pay attention to certain things like:
  • Missing or broken parts.
  • Mismatched colours, it usually signifies that parts were replaced.
  • Touch the parts, to make sure they're well secured.
  • Play it, to hear how it sounds.
  • Wheel it around a bit, see if the wheels work and if it survives the movement
  • Find out if there are any warranties from the original purchase

  • ...and finally make sure you can transport it back to your location safely.

Oh and don't be pressured by any aggressive sales tactics because there are no refunds on a used marimba through a private sale. So make sure that you're happy with the instrument.

Anyway, good luck! Hope you'll find a marimba you're satisfied with.


Well that was of great help. Only to find that what she said was pretty much true!

Oh and stay away from these: used marimba you don't want to buy!

Learn How To Build A Marimba Today!

Don't buy a used marimba, build your marimba instead.