Download these blueprints for building a professional marimba, Vibraphone, Xylophone, metalophone and Glockenspiel - all without special materials or tools.
My name is Jim McCarthy, and I’ve been a percussionist for over 20 years.
I’ve always had a passion for building things, and over the years I've had a LOT to do with building and designng marimbas especially for other people to build. I’d never consider myself a professional at woodworking or trades though - I’ve always been a musician first.
and this means that if I can build these projects... You can easily do it as well. You don't need to do any of the design, thinking, hard work and making mistakes - I've already done all that for you!
When I studied for my masters degree I got really into Acoustics and learned all about how Marimbas were built – I even made some massive, world record bass marimbas to indulge my hobby...
But these days my goals are much more practical...
I design instruments especially for people like you. It started years ago when I built a few instruments to assist my wife in her school music program. You may have seen the Project 1
Box resonated Xylophone, or the Project 2
mini-marimba which people all around the world are already building to save money for their schools, as well as being interesting to play and enjoy for children.