I have been playing for 6 years, but still consider myself a beginner. Besides other advantages (cost, portability) I chose to go electronic (first Malletkat, then Xylosyth) because I just could not figure out how to do 4-mallet voicings on tunes without utilizing bars below F. Both MK and XS provide C to C models, and that solves my issue. My question is: Why do most all acoustic vibes go F to F? How can everybody else be fine with this, see no problem, and yet I seem to require C to C in order to achieve the melody/chord voicings I want? Would love to acquire an acoustic instrument if it could address my issue and still be affordable.
UduDude
28 May 2025
Comments
Aluminum Alloy
DrBobM55 Sun, 06/01/2025 - 22:30
Acoustic vibes go F to F because of the sound quality of the aluminum alloy. There are low C instruments, but the notes below F can sound thin and weak. I've heard a few low C instruments that sound decent. Additionally, the cost of the extra half octave significantly drives up the price, and transporting them can be challenging.