Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2011.09.01 |
Object Type |
Marimba |
Creator |
Musser |
Title |
Canterbury marimba |
Description |
Musser Canterbury marimba. 4-1/3 octave marimba, with brass resonators. White frame with ornate gold accents. Each end of the marimba has gold "fins" that match the resonators. There are 3 rows of resonators. Keys are wooden and finished black. Keys are held together with new string. On PL end of frame are dials for temperature meters. |
Dimensions |
H-36.5 W-34 L-81 inches |
People |
Musser, Clair Omar Stevens, Leigh Howard Musser |
Date |
c. 1948 |
Additional Research |
The Canterbury marimbas and vibraphones were the premier instruments designed by Clair Omar Musser for his company, Musser Marimbas, Inc., during the 1950s. The Model 500, with a 4 1/3-octave range, featured a contemporary design with dual, arched, brass resonators finished in a bright, burnished gold. The ivory-finished wood and metal frame had a streamlined shape, was decorated with gold-colored trim, and featured recessed wheels for an elegant appearance. This Canterbury marimba was the personal instrument designed for and owned by PAS Hall of Fame member Clair Omar Musser, who then sold it to Leigh Howard Stevens, also a PAS Hall of Famer. The bars, which range in size from 1 5/8 x 3/4 x 7 1/2 inches (high C) to 15/16 x 2 1/2 x 18 inches (low A), were constructed from Black Klyposeros (Cocabolo) trees personally selected by Musser on a trip to Honduras. This growth of Cocabolo hard wood originated on volcanic slopes that produced a high-density of solid resin in the bars. The bars are shaped and tuned in his patented, parabolic contour design. During the final year Musser owned his company, he instructed his chief tuner, Paul Fialkowski, to construct this instrument, "the finest ever built," for Musser’s personal use. It comes with the original set of fibre cases and features a unique Coat of Arms plaque. An additional feature available on this model instrument was Musser’s "Thermodyne" tuning system, which allows the resonators to be easily tuned, depending upon temperature and humidity conditions, by rotating a screw mechanism. In addition, this instrument has a built-in "Electronic Marimba Metronome" that adjusts the tempo by rotating a dial. Musser personally contacted Stevens by letter, dated January 1, 1980, and offered to sell him the instrument, which was then purchased by Stevens on May 23, 1980 for $7,080. It was appraised later that year by Harvey Vogel of Lone Star Percussion at a value of $25,000. The list price for this model in the 1950 Musser Catalog was $1,095.-Percussive Notes, March 2012. This elegant marimba was designed by Clair Omar Musser as his personal instrument, and was built by his company, Musser Marimbas, during the 1950s. The bars were made from specially-sourced cocobolo wood from the volcanic slopes of Honduras. The modern design of the adjustable resonators, the amplifiers below the bars, was matched by the cutting-edge, built-in electronic metronome and tuner. The Musser Company would go on to make 125 of these luxury marimbas. Evolving Sounds, 2017. |
Credit line |
Purchased from Leigh Howard Stevens |