Hello,
I am considering purchasing a Musser M75 vibe but question its portability. I found a good deal on one that includes cases. I am wondering if this is the best investment since I plan to do a lot of gigging. Thanks!
Hi Michael. It was a long time ago, but I spent a year touring with George Shearing (1963) with an M-75. We were on the road 312 days that year. The Century broke down into 6 cases, total weight about 250 pounds. It tok me about 15 minutes to set it up or tear down, and I needed a fair amount of floor space to spread out all the cases for packing. The following year I was desperate for something more convenient, so convinced Musser to enlarge their student model to a full size keyboard, but keep the folding legs and lighter weight frame (M-55). I was then able to travel with 3 cases total, weight about 125 pounds. Another issue is whether you expect to travel by plane or van. With driving, the choice is up to you. But for flying, traveling with 5-6 cases, will cost a fortune in excess baggage charges for even short flights. Most everybody has settled on either the M55 or the M48 (which breaks down into even more convenient-sized cases) as their traveling instrument. Yamaha offers a similar range of choices. In any event welcome to the non-musical challenge all of us deal with. We not only have to play the thing, we have to figure out how to get it from place to place. - Gary B
Thanks Mr. Burton. I am defiantly reconsidering the M75 now. What are your opinions on the M46? Between purchasing that and the traveling cases it seems to be more in my price range.
I agree with Gary. The Century (M-75) does come apart, but it is bulky and heavy. Even if one didn't fly moving it is a chore, it's heavy, and if you had a van and left it set up, it would be a challenge roll in and out of places. Taking the bars off helps some. I have a rebuilt M-75 that I love but it stays in my office/studio.
The M46M basically an M55 without the arched front resonator. The problem is that the bed-frame/rails do not come apart so you have at least one rather large case to contend with. Per Gary's comment I understand the rail assembly is very expensive to put on an airplane or to ship. For local/non flying gigging the M46 is a really good choice. I love the look of the arched resonators on the M55, but it does increase the size of what you have to carry. Both frames are very solid and low maintenance. If one only flew to gigs 1-2 times per year it may make economic sense to ship it. The M46M resonators are also powder coated which makes them more durable for scratches and dings. The M46 does not have a motor the M46M has one by the way.
The other Musser option is the Musser M-48 (Gary helped Musser design it), where the sides come off, the rails come off and they fold in half, the resonators come apart and the damper comes apart.
It's interesting to me that the M-48 has shares more engineering design features with with the M-75 than the M-55.
Comments
My 2 cents
Gary Burton Sat, 11/29/2014 - 09:04
Hi Michael. It was a long time ago, but I spent a year touring with George Shearing (1963) with an M-75. We were on the road 312 days that year. The Century broke down into 6 cases, total weight about 250 pounds. It tok me about 15 minutes to set it up or tear down, and I needed a fair amount of floor space to spread out all the cases for packing. The following year I was desperate for something more convenient, so convinced Musser to enlarge their student model to a full size keyboard, but keep the folding legs and lighter weight frame (M-55). I was then able to travel with 3 cases total, weight about 125 pounds. Another issue is whether you expect to travel by plane or van. With driving, the choice is up to you. But for flying, traveling with 5-6 cases, will cost a fortune in excess baggage charges for even short flights. Most everybody has settled on either the M55 or the M48 (which breaks down into even more convenient-sized cases) as their traveling instrument. Yamaha offers a similar range of choices. In any event welcome to the non-musical challenge all of us deal with. We not only have to play the thing, we have to figure out how to get it from place to place. - Gary B
Your 2 cents matters!
Michael Gourdin Sun, 11/30/2014 - 17:46
In reply to My 2 cents by Gary Burton
Thanks Mr. Burton. I am defiantly reconsidering the M75 now. What are your opinions on the M46? Between purchasing that and the traveling cases it seems to be more in my price range.
I'll make the total 4 cents
IndianaGlen Wed, 12/03/2014 - 10:05
I agree with Gary. The Century (M-75) does come apart, but it is bulky and heavy. Even if one didn't fly moving it is a chore, it's heavy, and if you had a van and left it set up, it would be a challenge roll in and out of places. Taking the bars off helps some. I have a rebuilt M-75 that I love but it stays in my office/studio.
The M46M basically an M55 without the arched front resonator. The problem is that the bed-frame/rails do not come apart so you have at least one rather large case to contend with. Per Gary's comment I understand the rail assembly is very expensive to put on an airplane or to ship. For local/non flying gigging the M46 is a really good choice. I love the look of the arched resonators on the M55, but it does increase the size of what you have to carry. Both frames are very solid and low maintenance. If one only flew to gigs 1-2 times per year it may make economic sense to ship it. The M46M resonators are also powder coated which makes them more durable for scratches and dings. The M46 does not have a motor the M46M has one by the way.
The other Musser option is the Musser M-48 (Gary helped Musser design it), where the sides come off, the rails come off and they fold in half, the resonators come apart and the damper comes apart.
It's interesting to me that the M-48 has shares more engineering design features with with the M-75 than the M-55.
I hope this helps.
--IG