We tried to make vibraphone bars ourselves. A fascinating process!
Accordion Frame
The
accordion frame
is ideal for use with pickups, as the
keyboard bars
with
inserted pickup plugs
remain for transport on the support frames.
Suitcase-Frame
With the
suitcase frame,
the entire vibraphone (base
stand, frame and resonance
tubes), with the exception of the
keyboard bars,
can be packed into
a hard-shell suitcase.
The total
weight (without
keyboard) is about 22 kg.
In lightweight frame ("Ladies Frame") the focus is on maximum weight reduction combined with good transportability of the frame, especially with a car.
The new concept of the vibration unit works both with the tube-in-tube concept and with the folding of the resonance tubes.
The replacement flaps are manufactured using a 3D printer.
Rotationally offset flans result in a very beautiful, room-filling and significantly softer vibration effect than with fans arranged in parallel. The only disadvantage of this arrangement is that there is no open position of the fans for playing without vibration.
A first draft of an adjustable shaft allows you to choose between playing with parallel or rotatory staggered key arrangements.
The new tube-in-tube concept for transport and assembly of the resonance tubes enables all variants of a volume-minimizing transport of the resonance tubes and is therefore an important part of the suitcase frame.
The tunable plugs are manufactured as two-component 3D printing.
The bar-posts concept allows the use of rubber posts as well as metallic posts of any design (hook, saddle, eyelet).
The aluminum bar
ensures the position and alignment of the
posts. The
posts can be exchanged or replaced
individually or as a complete series.
With the bar, these posts can also be used as a repair kit for all wooden or aluminum frames.
In the solid rubber post version, all frame noise due to the impact on the keyboard is damped.
With the bar, these posts can also be used as a repair kit for all wooden or aluminum frames.
In the solid rubber post version, all frame noise due to the impact on the keyboard is damped.
Regarding the use of pickups, the opinions are divided. Some reject it fundamentally as sound changing, for others they offer the possibility to use the vibraphone in a loud environment (big band).
The purchase of commercially available pickups (K & K, Malletchech) and the associated technology is usually very expensive.
With a bit of soldering skill, you can create pickups and the required contact rails by yourself with very little cost.
Up to now all framework projects are more or less special constructions according to specific customer requirements
Just for fun or traveling