How Much does Marimba Cost? And Other Questions

Last updated on November 16th, 2022 at 01:00 pm

Marimba prices range from $2500 and up to $15000 and even higher. There is what is called street price. It refers to the price one would pay to a dealer. Marimbas come at a steep price. A marimba costs as much as a decent piano.

It is a bit less if you can find a dealer that offers a good discount. They are usually the used ones. Musical instruments like a marimba do not wear out quickly. A used marimba sometimes is as good as a new one. That is if it has been taken care of. You can also build your own marimba.

What makes marimba less affordable is the bars. They are rosewood which is also not affordable. It is simple, but requires a lot of work. More effort goes into the making of each bar. Each bar is specially cut on the underside to tune both the second and fourth harmonics to the fundamental.

The technique used is called triple tuning. It is done by hand for each bar. As a result, you get a more pleasing tone, thereby adding to the cost. The resonators come at a price and on the better instruments. Each bar is tuned by hand, rather than pre-set to some location.

Above all, you get better sound at the expense of cost. The price comes when you multiply the cost of each bar and resonator. That is the cost by 36 to 54 and add on the cost of the frame. That is how you see why they are less affordable.

What is marimba?

The marimba is a percussion instrument with wooden bars. It is played by yarn wrapped or rubber mallets to produce musical tones. Use rubber mallets to strike the wooden bars to produce music. It uses pipes as they are suspended underneath the bars to amplify the sound of the wooden bars.

The bars of a marimba are like piano keys. They are groups of two and three accidentals raised vertically, overlapping the natural bars to help the performer visually and physically. This instrument belongs to the idiophone family but with a more resonant pitch than the xylophone.

What do you use to play marimba?

Use mallets to play marimba. It is played by striking the bars with mallets.  These come in many shapes, coverings, weights, and sizes. Each bar contributes to the production of sound to the instrument with a different timbre. The player’s technique also counts.

Some mallet heads are made of rubber. Other synthetics graduated in hardness from soft to hard, whereas other mallet heads consist of a core covered with yarn, cord, or rubber. As you control the core, you will be winding a large variety of timbres.  The handles are of birch, rattan, or fiberglass.

Can you rent a marimba?

Yes, you can rent a marimba, but bear in mind that the cost mounts up. Considering the cost of a new marimba,  some users resort to renting. The prices go up as much as 30,000 for a 5-octave instrument. That should not block you from learning or expanding on marimba.

A rental is an option before parting with a sum, but it sometimes amounts to the total cost for the instrument you are hiring if you use it for a couple of years. If you can save over the same period, you would be better off.

Marimba rental prices in the US range between $28-230 per month. A low-budget user attracts a 3-octave synthetic bar instrument while the top-end offers a 5.0 Octave Rosewood bar marimba model. Both buying and rental come with pros and cons worth comparing.

Before you get a marimba on a hire agreement, there are things to consider. Be honest about how serious you are about learning, practicing, and playing the marimba in the long term. Make use of the Marimba Rental Costs Comparison Guide.

The prices are more affordable at a monthly rate and apply to 48 months or more. You can work around these prices for a 12-month agreement. Be careful of hiring an instrument you will never own for more than twice the price you could have bought one.

Some users choose to hire whilst saving money for a new one. The effects of hiring marimba are both short and long-term. Hire might not be the best option for this type of instrument if you wish to have it for a long time.

What is the price of a piano?

An upright piano costs between $3000–6500 on average. High-end upright pianos are in the range of $10,000–25,000. Entry-level grand piano cost between 7000 – 30,000. High-end grand pianos such as Steinway, Bosendorfer, and Yamaha can cost between $65,000–190,000.

Whether it is an upright or grand piano, the cost of the instrument is affected by branding, the materials used, labor, and the current market. There are tips for making a wise decision.

When it comes to branding, buyers associate a brand with performance. That is why some brands are always on top when it comes to pricing. Some good models fall under unpopular brands. Taking your time evaluating performance saves you some cents.

The current state of piano on the market affects pricing. Consider timing when purchasing instruments like the piano. There are times when costs are low due to low demand. That is when you aim higher and buy a better quality model.

How old is the marimba?

There is no universal agreement on when it was first made. Its origins trace back to the 14th Century.

What wood is used in a marimba?

Honduran Rosewood is a professional choice for marimbas. It comes with great musical qualities. It is a dense hardwood. Marimba is a wooden musical instrument with several bars of different lengths. It is from rosewood. Although it is a dense hardwood, it is less affordable and difficult to cut

How much does Kalimba cost?

When looking forward to buying kalimba, you need to budget at least 10. The price can get higher. High-end instruments made from mahogany and other high-quality wood range from 200-300.

Can you tune a marimba?

Yes, you can tune a marimba. Tuning a marimba requires different tuning methods based on experience. The experience helps you get an instrument to sound in tune. Modern marimbas are triple tuned and have extra modes tuned or part tuned to create a more harmonious sound from the bars.

Most expensive marimba

The most expensive marimba is around $15000. High-end marimba cost higher. A 5.5-octave marimba is not ideal for beginner and low-budget users, due to price.