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MISC

A Study in Marimba Design and Construction

Marimbas and bar percussion are undoubtedly complicated instruments.  Not only do the individual parts need to be precisely designed and built, but they all need to fit precisely within the confines of the overall instrument.  Then there's the bar / resonator tuning component.  This leads to the acoustical alignment of the bars precisely positioned over their individual resonator openings.  Finally, the job of the frame is to maintain the positioning of all components during play without any shifting. 

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MATERIALS....MAJOR COMPONENT CONSIDERATIONS

Bars

Selecting Wood

Resonators

Type

Frame

IMG_0314-72
IMG_0316-72
P1110114-72
IMG_4502-72
IMG_4503-72
P1110121-72
IMG_4483-72
P1110219-72
P1110127-72
P1110221-72
P1110220-72
IMG_4484-72

2. Bars Sizing and Layout

1. Design and Layout Drawings

Rough Tuning

Pre-Assembly Layout

Node Points

Positioning of Bar Support Rails

Pitch Lettering

Rough Set-ups

Test Resonators

Bar Alignment - Mounting - Stand-offs - Stringing-Up

Final Assembly

Shop Ovewrview

Finish

Resonator Alignment - Mounting

Tuning - Coupling

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