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General Category => New Model Army => Topic started by: Viv Savage on May 10, 2012, 11:41:24 AM
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On the band's visit to South Africa in 2004 Justin acquired a small primitive marimba made from bits of wood resting on bits of old car tyres - not much bigger than a foot in length and with a slightly random selection of notes. It was this instrument that was played by Michael Dean on 'Red Earth' on the Carnival album (and later sampled so Dean could play it live). Unfortunately, along with a lot of other small but loved items, this marimba was destroyed in the fire. We don't really have the space for a large 'proper' marimba and would actually prefer the nature of something a bit more primitive. We've looked around Ebay and various Google searches but haven't come up with anything. Is there any chance that anyone in South Africa or elsewhere could help us?"
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Have you asked in Mannings in Bradford? Top of westgate next door to Discovery cd's n what have you? Can't remember the blokes name, but he used play in a zydeco band. Old Joe Zydeco or something they were called? When it comes to ethnic instruments he's the bloke to talk to. He knows just about everybody on that scene. Hope that helps a bit mebbe's?
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i have a contact down there..i will let you know asap!
cheers
marco
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I've seen one on e-bay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Antique-Balafon-Marimba-Or-Xylophone-African-Art-music?item=270976690934 However, it is a bit different designe, West African, and quite expensive... Acually called balafon...
African marimbas available in the UK:
http://www.knockonwood.co.uk/products.asp/SubcatID/22/african-xylophones.htm
http://www.handcrafteduk.com/ethnicmusicalinstrumentsxylophone-c-4_27.html
http://africandrumservices.co.uk/page41.html
US: http://www.afrodesign.com/-c-3_133.html
http://africaimports.com/items.asp?Cc=Musicalother&iTpStatus=1&Tp=
And of course, you can build one, it doesn't look too complicated:
http://www.craftymusicteachers.com/bassmarimba/resonators.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_12087284_make-pvc-tube-marimba.html
http://www.makeamarimba.com/buildamarimba/index.html
It seems there a lot of different types of xylophone in Africa:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8QD6-o2Uis&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh9k7kZyyPM&feature=relmfu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uIxtCZ51MA&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P1nZk-XR59Y&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGBfhurqUhQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJzWOC--ixc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-FQ5Ke-cKQ&feature=relmfu
If you really want some authentic, primitive, easily available, cheap African percussion instrument, check this :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXvKJKUtPKI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6i8Zs-RSIA
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Or just a small childs xylophone would do? http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Musical-Instruments-/619/i.html?_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A6003&rt=nc&_nkw=Xylophone&_catref=1&_dmpt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Drums_Percussions_MJ&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=15&_sc=1
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Hi, we have got a contact in South Africa who makes them professionally and will make one for you fitting your spec! If you are interested let me know.
The guy who said he can get one made for us is a parent of one of the children my wife teaches at pre-school, we have said that it is for a professional band and the last one was destroyed in a fire. He knows that it is not a "tourist" one. He said today he will give it to us for free! as a gift. I must add that he is in the process of raising funds to build a school in S.A. and if the insurance has paid out and you want it, maybe a donation?
I have his details, he is a lovely guy.