Topic: Xylophone question

[Phil Peplinski]

Hello all, i am a complete noob. 

I have acquired a wooden Xylophone and though I have scanned the forum and I have a better understanding of what I have. I am trying to get better educated on the instrument and was hoping I could find help here.

I was told that it was old and the evidence of wood borers on some side pieces supports that. Really a beautiful piece and I was excited to get it.

There are no markings on it at all to indicate origin (that I can find) Any info you would care to share would be greatly appreciated.

Pics are better then my description:

[Tim van de Ven]

Perhaps an older Ludwig Musser? It looks like the one that my high school uses.

[Bart Elliott]

To me, based on the limited view from the photos, this doesn't look like a mass produced instrument. To me, it looks like an individual made this; a custom build.

Musser, Deagan and others always stamp one of the bars. With no stamp or marking in the frame, I have my doubts about being a mass produced instrument.

Other clues, the way the bars are shaved, the wood posts used to suspend the bars, the look of the resonators (appears more modern), etc.

This almost looks like a xylorimba. I'd have to see it in person, hear it, at the very least see a lot more close-up photos and perhaps some audio examples.

[Mister Acrolite]

My friend James Walker wrote to me, and said "I believe that's a traditional Mexican marimba. The resonators are a giveaway, as is the fact that the upper manual "black key" bars are set in line with the lower manual "white key" bars, and not spaced halfway in-between the way they are on modern xylophones and marimba."

[Bart Elliott]

Tell our friend and former Drummer Cafe member, James Walker, we said "thank you." 

James is right about the resonators too.