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Dead bar?!

jamesshipp 11 November 2012

Hi All-

This is a new one for me; in an iso booth recording, and it seems as though my highest G natural is somehow dead. I thought it was the resonator, but it seems to have less than 1/3rd of the sustain of the bars around it, whether the resonator flaps are open, closed, or in motion.

I've been playing these bars for 15+ years and this is the first I've noticed it. Seems like a new problem, but nothing looks different about the bar, at least on the playing side. Anyone else have this happen? What could I do about it?

Thanks-

JAmes

Comments

behng Mon, 11/12/2012 - 14:39

Maybe it's cracked? Also, maybe you should try to adjust everything around it, like replace your bar cord, and make sure it's sitting on the keybed properly.

My high F doesn't lay right on my keybed, and it sounds dead sometimes. I just haven't fixed it yet, because I don't use it that much, and because I'm too lazy, haha!

nico Tue, 11/13/2012 - 02:22

James,

Dead bars (in respect to sustain) don't exist, it is a myth (provided the holes are at the right position). Lack of sustain is ALWAYS caused by something other than the bar, PROVIDED the pitch hasn't changed.

So if the pitch hasn't dropped, there is no problem with the bar.
Compare sustain with resonators removed.

If sustain is OK then, you need to shift down the stopper inside the tube about 1/3"
If systain is not OK, check if the posts aren't bent towards the bar, making the bar touching the insulator.

Nico

tpvibes Wed, 11/14/2012 - 12:41

I've had a post on the low end that for some reason seems to get bent in towards the bar -- I suspect I must be catching that post as I move the frame in/out of my car, but I haven't been able to prove it yet.

At any rate, often the first I notice of this is that the bar it touches is dead sounding...

Tom P.

jamesshipp Sat, 11/17/2012 - 11:45

Thanks all for your suggestions. It's the same with the resonator open or closed, and I just put it on my other frame, and it sounds exactly the same, same problem. If there's a crack I can't see it, and if the pitch is lower it's not terribly noticeable. But it's definitely the bar. Where can I send it? I reckon I probably just need to replace this bar. Thanks.

bigtvstar Wed, 12/05/2012 - 14:12

James,
I just had twelve bars replaced on an old set of vibes by Bill Youhass at Fall Creek Marimbas. Bars can definitely go dead without going out of tune.

Jay

Jenzz Thu, 12/06/2012 - 04:18

Maybe you should try a new bar cord. I had the same issue on my Adams. As i bought it used, the cord was worn and got 'dents' due to the weight of the bars. The result was uneven sustain across the bar range, esp. the lower bars. With an new cord installed, all bars had a fairly even sustain and volume.

regards, Jens

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