Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1993.01.10 |
Object Type |
Marimba |
Creator |
Leedy Manufacturing Company |
Title |
Marimbanette |
Description |
Leedy Marimbanette, 4 octave C-C. Rosewood bars strung with original cord. All rubber spaces attached, felt bar rest. Notes stamped in bars. Leedy trademark stamp and "5621" stamped on Low C bar. Black scrapes across length of keyboard. On left side of wooden black-painted frame, "Carrol Musical Instrument Service Co..." Adhesive yellow label, "RAISE RESONATORS IN WARM TEMPERATURE, LOWER RESONATORS IN COOL TEMPERATURE" stamped in side. "436" stamped in middle top. Silver marbelized finish on edges of frame, cracked and peeling on left. On front, gold-tone insignia "Leedy, Elkhart, Indiana, U.S.A." On right side in marbelized finish, a silver-painted "10". Can fold frame lengthwise. Removeable resonators (2 sets) fold, too. Steel stand with "#10" painted on crossbrace can be removed and folded. Four rubber casters. |
Dimensions |
H-34 W-30 L-59 inches |
People |
Leedy Manufacturing Company |
Date |
c. 1930 |
Additional Research |
After a short joint venture with partner Sam Cooley in 1898, Ulysses G. Leedy incorporated his Leedy Manufacturing Company, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1900. Beginning with drums and hardware, the company expanded the product line over several years to include all types of sound effects for the theatre and silent movies, as well as a full line of mallet instruments. By 1910 Leedy had built a 25,000-square-foot factory—the largest drum company in the world. With endorser artists like George Hamilton Green, Jr. and his brother, Joe Green, their mallet line of instruments quickly became popular choices for the drummer/percussionist during the 1920s and 1930s. Leedy’s Solo-Tone Broadcaster Xylophone had been "adopted" by "over five-thousand professional, school and home xylophone players," according to Leedy Catalog "T" (1933). It was available in either a 3 1/2-octave range (F to C, Model 5620) or the 4-octave range (C to C, Model 5621) shown here. This 4-octave instrument is 59 inches in length and 34 inches in height. It weighs 83 pounds and has a "split rail" frame construction, which is finished in the optional "Full Dress Pearl" covering. The bars, all 7/8-inch in thickness, range in size from 1 3/4-inch to 1 1/2-inch in width and from 16 1/2 inches to 5 1/2 inches in length. The "Leedy / Elkhart, Indiana / U.S.A." plaque indicates that this instrument was manufactured after sale of the company to Conn in 1929, which resulted in a move from Indianapolis to Elkhart. By 1936, a change in frame design had occurred for the Leedy model xylophones, so this instrument dates from the first half of the 1930s. In 1933, during the midst of the Depression, the catalog price was $190.00, with optional cases costing $35.00.-Percussive Notes, October 2007. Marimbanette Made by Leedy Drum Company Elkhart Indiana circa 1950 Donated by Carroll Bratman Though its range is that of a marimba, the sound and size of the marimbanette are more similar to a xylophone. The instrument was designed as a practice instrument for students. PAS Museum Exhibit Label |
Credit line |
Gift of Carroll Bratman |