Backyard Concert

One of the groups I play with, The Quavers, had a show booked at Barbes on a hot and humid Sunday evening. Unfortunately, it seems the club had double booked and we were on the outs. Luckily, Todd's backyard was open - so we quickly did some cleaning and decorating while inviting our fans to make the short trip.

To get to the backyard is no small feat. Up the stoop, around a corner, down a narrow staircase to the basement, through a very narrow hallway that leads to an incredibly uneven staircase up to the backyard. Even though this journey was tough with the vibraphonette, the trip would have been much, much more difficult with a full sized vibraphone.

2.5 Octave Vibraphonette On eBay - For USA Only

A heads up for the USA... a 2 and a half octave vibraphonette has gone up for sale on eBay. The current price is $800, but there is a buy-it-now for $1150 - which seems like a great bargain compared to some that we've seen sold overseas.

It looks like it is in pretty good shape! Good luck if you are looking to buy it!

p.s. thanks to Joseph for also giving the heads up.

Across The Northern Border

Last November, the vibraphonette and The Quavers had a harrowing experience on the way up to Montreal to play a show with our good friend, Harris Newman. The trip started out smoothly enough, but soon we were on the shoulder-less New York State Thruway with a flat tire. Todd skillfully managed to hop the curb so we could try and change the right/rear tire with a very very tiny spare, which was stored underneath all of out gear - including the vibraphonette. Thankfully all the gear fit on top of the car so there was no muddied vibraphonette! We put the spare on and slowly made our way to a service station to get a more solid replacement.

We played a very friendly vegetarian cafe called Casa Del Popolo. Highly recommended if you visit Montreal. The show was great and it was wonderful to see our friends again. Hopefully next time the car ride will be much less exciting.

New Vibraphonette Owner - Sergej

Hello everyone. I introduce you to Sergej from the Netherlands. Sergej was kind enough to send over some pictures of his newly purchased vibraphonette. It is one of the larger ones with 2 1/2 octaves and thicker bars. It also as a speed control for the tremolo!!! That would be great to have!

It weighs about 55lbs and has 4 legs (instead of three) to help support the extra weight. Sergej actually bought it from Will, who also contributed to this blog a while back. Sergej mentions that the handle seems original, but he is a bit worried about using it because it seems a bit too fragile so he will carry it by the case - seems like a smart idea. He has been playing it in his band which will be coming out with their new cd in the beginning of 2008. I heard a bit of a rehearsal and I'm looking forward to the cd!

Sergej has been trying to figure out the best way to clean under the bars. I'm not sure if it will be an easy task. Mine has a bunch of dust that I'm sure contributes to the character of the sound!

Here a video of Sergej playing his new vibraphonette!

British Vibraphonette Sold For Mucho Dinero

I saw a vibraphonette for sale on ebay over in the UK not too long ago. I checked back when the auction was over and the winning bid was 1,072.50 pounds! Whoa! I mean, 1,072.50 is a good chunk of change in dollars, but when you convert it, it turns out to be $2152.18!! I guess things are just more expensive across the pond. (gas, computers, vibraphonettes...)

This particular vibraphonette came with what seems to be a pad, or cushion with the Galanti logo on it that covers the bells(see picture). Pretty fancy! I imagine it is original. I have piece of t-shirt covered foam to serve the same purpose. Overall, the vibraphonette seems like it is in great shape.

Congrats to the new owner!

Squeaks and Rattles

I hopped on over to Looking Glass Studios to record with Catherine McRae last weekend. A very nice experience at a great studio. The whole session I had been dealing with rattles from those black spacers/support rings that have hardened up over the years. They are also very brittle and have broken off during transportation before I figured out how to orient the instrument to help prevent more breakage. The vibraphonette had a very strong role in a quiet song called Pentacostal. I had been putting gaffing tape on the black spacer supports to help with the rattles, but now there was also a squeak when I stepped on the damper pedal. Everyone said it was fine, but I decided to try one thing. While Catherine sang some vocals on another song, I took off the top and applied some WD40 on the spring. It worked like a charm!

Bruce Cawdron is also in the picture. He plays a bunch of instruments - here he's playing bass marimba. It really sounded great!

Click here for more pictures of the session.

I can't wait to hear what we recorded!

A Walk Into The Sea (with a vibraphonette)

The vibraphonette played a major role in the award winning film A Walk Into The Sea. The film is a documentary about the mysterious 1966 disappearance of Danny Willams, who was part of the Andy Warhol Factory. I saw a showing at the Tribeca Film Festival just last weekend. I thought it was mesmerizing.... so much so that I almost forgot to listen for the vibraphonette (and my two trumpet notes, too). The vibraphonette had a long section where it was the only sound to go along with the film. I was so proud!

I love this quote about the movie:

" The toothiest exposé yet into the soul-sucking modus operandi of Warhol's Factory "
- Ed Gonzalez, Village Voice

For more info about the film visit A Walk Into The Sea's website.

Vibraphonette vs. Vibraphone

The vibraphonette made its way to Bushwick, Brooklyn in Laurel Lindahl's Saab for Vitamin-D's weekend recording session. We recorded at a studio called The Fort with Jim Bentley as engineer and Adam Druckman flew in from Detriot as producer. We also brought Adam Gold's medium sized vibraphone for a song called "Summer Crossing."

Now, moving Adam's vibraphone was quite the chore as compared to the vibraphonette. The process involved taking off the bars and the resonators first. Then, you fold up the frame. It requires a few people to carry everything - or a few trips. The vibraphone barely fit in the car and once it was in, there was hardly much room for much else. The vibraphonette is close to 50 lbs, but it is much much easier to travel with than an actual vibraphone -- score one for the little guy.

After getting home and listening to the tracks, the vibraphone might have had too much sustain for one of the parts it was playing. I might have to record it again with the vibraphonette -- maybe score another one for the little guy.

Click here for pictures of the studio session.

WFMU with Moore + Sons

I journeyed out to WFMU-FM in Jersey City, New Jersey with Moore + Sons to visit Irene Trudel and play live on her show. There was some question whether I was going to make it, but the vibraphonette was definitely going to make it. If it had and I had not, then that would have marked the first Dennis-less vibraphonette gig. (At least, I think it so.) Click here to listen to the archived show then scroll down to April 2, 2007. We played about an hour into the show. Also, see some photos of out trip via Flickr.

Broke Belt Mountain

When I bought the vibraphonette a few years ago I had to buy the belts for the 3 pulleys. This was not an easy task. I had rubber bands to make sure everything worked, but I was having a hard time choosing what to use on a regular basis. I finally settled on vcr belts. I measured around the pulleys and went down to the local old-school TV/VCR repair shop. The guy there had to sift through all their belts to come up with something that matched. He didn't seem to completely enjoy the task. I took them home and tried to put them on but they were too big! So I trotted back down to the shop to plead my case in the hopes he would look again. With a disapproving look he took the 3 belts and came up with 3 smaller ones. As I was leaving he told me that if these didn't fit - don't come back!

Fast forward to present day. A few weeks ago, in the middle of a rehearsal with Catherine (of the band Coraline) the pulleys that turn to make the 'wah-wah' sound were not turning! I could still hear the motor so I figured that it was a broken belt. I took it half-way apart and found the broken belt inside. It was the belt that went from the motor to the middle pulley that turns the two 'wah-wah' pulleys.

My friend Gary said that I used to have a vibraphonette - now I just have a phonette. Funny.

I thought, "Great! I'll get to see what the fellows in the old TV/VCR shop are up to." So I trotted down 5th Ave with the broken belt in hand. I actually knew the size this time! But, alas, as I approached the storefront, the door was open but the gates were halfway down and a construction guy was carrying out some rubble from the demolition! Ouch! I'll miss those guys.

Luckily, I had a few options. Joe (who saved the day with the vibraphonette handle) said he had an O-ring maker. Also, there was another old-school TV/VCR shop not too far away. The guy at this shop seemed a bit more cheery that he had to find a vcr belt to match. Maybe it was because I had the old belt that I knew worked - or maybe it was a slow day at the shop. I think these VCR repair shops are a dying breed. He found one and as I paid for it he asked what kind of vcr I had. I said it was for a musical instrument. He looked unimpressed. I think I'm going to go back and buy a few more (incase that shop closes, too) and maybe I'll bring a video of the vibraphonette in action. That will bring him around!

The vibraphonette had not been taken apart in a while, so when I took it fully apart, I found some dust and some more broken hard, black pieces - I think from the bell separators. I cleaned it up a bit and took some pictures as I was putting the new belt on, and put it back together. After looking at the pictures, I think I need to do a better cleaning!


Well, everything is working once again so my phonette has turned back into a vibraphonette. -Whew!

Yet Another New Vibrphonette Owner

Michigan has recently seen a transfer of a vibraphonette in great shape. A beauty. Two readers of this blog were able to connect and make the deal happen. The seller, Angie, wanted it to get into good hands. It seems it was given to her family and she has had it for a while.

Another friend of the blog, Adam, raced over to take a look, bought it, and then sent over these pictures. Thanks, Adam! He says he's already played it in a recording session and it sounded great. He was looking for a schematic so if anyone has any ideas, please let's us know!

New Vibraphonette Owner

There's been a rash of vibrphonette sales recently! It took me several years to find mine, but there have been 2 sold in the last week! There was the one from Ebay (pictured) that sold for around $950. The highest selling price that I've seen so far. I believe the supply and demand is starting to take hold. Or the new owner really, really wanted one. It's really a rare and incredible instrument to have, so I think it's worth it. From what I can tell this one was sold to a fellow in Texas. It seemed to be missing a few parts, but it looks like they have a work-a-round to keep it in working order.

The ad mentioned that the motor was "quiet quiet" (it said it twice). I would love my motor to be quiet quiet. Mine is just quiet enough for one 'quiet.' I hope the new owner will get in touch and keep us updated!

In fact, maybe we should start getting some information together from all the vibraphonettes we can. If you are the proud owner of a vibraphonette, please send your story and a picture. And maybe your serial number. I'll see if I can organize them. And if someone has a schematic - whoa! That would just be an incredible thing.

Congrats to the new owner!

Recordings Abound!

My vibraphonette has been dashing around Brooklyn for some recordings with Clare Burson and T. Griffin Coraline. In fact, I just got it back from the studio of T. Griffin Coraline where we recorded for the upcoming album God Made Cars. Both albums should be out next year!

Now that I have it back I can take a look at a few things for a fellow vibraphonette owner in nearby Long Island, Mike. I think the belts and spacers are a common need. He mentioned that he knew of a place in Chicago that might be of help.

I also might take mine apart and compare it to the pictures of the one that just sold. That one supposedly has a quiet motor. Mine is not that all that quiet. And I would love to find out if there is some way to install a new motor - maybe with variable speed!

Recent sale of a vibraphonette

I just saw a vibraphonette sell on eBay that looked like it was in need of some TLC. And it sold for $860! Wow! I think I was lucky to get mine before the rush on vibraphonettes hit its stride. For this one that just sold, the listing mentioned that the motor was quiet, but one of the legs didn't seem to work. Also, the damper rod was missing. I'm not sure where to get one of those. I'm guessing the person that bought it has had some experience with vibraphone repair. (at least I hope so) Here are a few more pictures I borrowed from the ad.

Bar 169, The Tank, Pete's Candy, Living Room

The vibraphonette has played many shows since the last update. Maybe partially because the next night after the Clare Burson show (previous post) Vitamin-D played Bar 169. A wretched experience it was - primarily due to the poor booking and a bit due to a rude bartender. It was the first time I not only had initial thoughts about not wanting to play there that night, but I was very very close to packing up and leaving. My friends Barn Burning came down from RI to play the show and their set time of 8pm was pushed to 9pm. Not too terrible of a delay. We didn't play until 1am after we were told of going on at 10pm, 11pm and 12:30am. Once we went on we played great, but we had to endure a creed-like band and a american-idol-like band. Not that there's anything wrong with those bands - it was just a very poor booking for Vitamin-D. New vibraphonettist, Gary, did an incredible job - adding melodies that I didn't think were possible. Our friends Mouse didn't get to play until after us! The night was a great test of patience for all involved.

Next up was the newly moved Tank with T. Griffin Coraline. A black-box theater type of art space. They have had several locations in the last few years and I think I like this place the best of the ones I've played so far.

Vitamin-D played again at Pete's Candy Store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on April 1st. Gary was the guest vibraphonettist once again with Adam moving to drums. I think this is the show that Gary coined the term "vibe sticks."

Chris Moore was next on April 19th at the Living Room. Pete Galub said it was "mind altering," a good thing it seemed. I played the vibraphonette for most of the set, but Adam took over for one song and I made my debut on the drums... well, drum.

Mo Pikins with Clare Burson

The vibraphonette made a trip to the East Village on March 9th to be part of Clare Burson's band for a few songs. Mo Pikins is a pretty classy place. It's a bit like the fez but the staff was actually nice and I actually enjoyed playing there. Clare's line up included her on acoustic guitar and vocals, kristen on drums, john on upright bass and me on vibraphonette and trumpet. I had only rehearsed with clare a few times and I had not met the band until right before the show. I was still getting to learn the few songs i played on so I played very lightly. Hopefully, I'll get plenty of practice for the next show!

And I almost forgot to mention - as we were loading out, a young woman said to me, "nice job on that thingyphone."

another vibraphonette from across the pond

i got an email a few weeks ago from another galanti vibraphonette owner. his name is will and he lives across the pond in holland. his vibraphonette looks like it is in great shape. it has an extra half octave (on the low end to make 2 1/2 octaves). the bars look much more like regular vibraphone bars, whereas mine are much thinner. it also looks like it has an extra leg to carry the extra weight. i didn't ask him if he transports it very much or how much is weighs, but i'm guessing it weighs closer to 60lbs if mine is about 45lbs.

he also mentioned that he has an early 60's galanti guitar!

thanks for the pictures, will!

tom and kerry's wedding

the vibraphonette made a trip to a restaurant called provence in the soho section of manhattan on march 4th, 2006 to help celebrate the wedding of our dear friends, tom and kerry. for part of the ceremony (the walk down the aisle) adam sang 'all you need is love' while playing the vibraphonette. by the end of the song everyone was singing along! gary played upright bass, chris played guitar and i played the trumpet. we also played nick drake's 'saturday sun' for part of the ceremony. after the 'i do's' we packed up and joined the party!

loose handle

when vitamin-d played the lakeside lounge a few weeks ago the handle started coming loose! i was quite concerned because i love this handle, which was made by my friend joe. he somehow interlaced climbing rope with the brackets that were already there. he had made a similar handle for a friend's small amp which i think is still in working order. maybe the 45 pounds of the vibraphonette was just too much for it. it started slipping out of the brackets!

even though i was there when joe put the handle, i was still weary of trying to fix it. i carefully unwrapped it - but not all the way - and tied a knot at the end that was slipping so that it would be more difficult to come loose. it might take a while to find out if the fixed worked. but even if it doesn't, the fix only took about 5 minutes so i could just do it again.

the next gig for the vibraphonette is my friends tom and kerry's wedding next saturday!

hank's saloon

last week i joined chris moore at hank's saloon in brooklyn, ny. a cozy dive bar that reminds me of bars when i lived in nashville, tn. i had to work right up until the show so chris was kind enough to get it there (which is right down the street from where we live). he also was kind enough to set it up. he really screwed the legs in tight! they weren't going anywhere!

i was a bit worried about it being heard, even though it was mic'd. hank's is not known for it's sound system, but everyone said they could hear everything and it sounded great.