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DE GUDEN BRUG
(GB) ELEGANT RANGE XYLOPHONES Reviewer: Lyndsay Evans Distributor: Theo’s Music |
Haven't heard the name De Gouden Brug before? Neither had I until I was asked to try and then review, these instruments for Australian Musician Magazine.
I have taught drums and percussion for over 35 years and have experienced playing many brands of xylophones in the schools where I have taught.
I did some research on these GB Instruments and found that for over 40 years this company has been building percussion instruments in the Netherlands. Their use of environmentally-friendly materials, combined with their years of knowledge in the field of wood- and metalworking and durable materials, has now seen the release of their new Elegant range of concert xylophones, marimbas, glockenspiels and metallophones.
The models I tried were the GB XCP-35 xylophone which is 3.5 octaves (F to C), has padouk bars and is adjustable for height.
I also tried the GB XCP-40 xylophone which is 4 octaves (C-C) and also has padouk bars and is height adjustable.
For those of you who aren't familiar with padouk, it is hardwood from South-East Asia and is quite capable of carrying the notes and chords as required by different musical genres, whether played solo, in ensembles or bands.
Each sound bar is tuned by hand, giving the craftsman the opportunity to get the best tone and sound. Each resonator is carefully developed in order to give each bar a clear sound with maximum volume.
The XCP-35 which retails for $3495.00, was great and the price makes it competitive to other brands in the market. The XCP-35 covers the range required in Junior and Intermediate bands and also suits graded examination pieces, especially the requirement of scales to be played over 2 octaves.
Of course, having a 4 octave range (XCP-40) gives better opportunity to cover Senior Band pieces and pieces that sound much better in the sonorous lower register in which they are written, rather than trying to cover the range by putting the melody up an octave and losing the musical intention and blend the composer / arranger had in mind. This is particularly important in the contemporary repertoire of today and in ethnic tunes, especially those from Japan and South America.
The sound bars are also available in Honduran Rosewood, like the XCGR40 which Theo’s had in stock. This produces a better quality of tone and sound, which would interest the more advanced and professional players. This one was priced at $5950.00
All models were height adjustable, which is a real help these days, especially to the younger musicians. Not only does it make the xylophone more accessible, comfortable to play, and promotes proper technique, but it also allows students to start at a younger age, thus allowing them to play the instrument over a longer period of time, becoming more proficient in their skills, and making the playing of the xylophone more enjoyable by extending their repertoire.
Having a lightweight stand which is easy to dismantle is also good news, especially if you are in a school band and there is not a lot of space in the band store room, as is the case at a number of schools in which I have taught. It also dismantles small enough to fit into your car, which means you don't have to buy a van to cart it around!
That it is lightweight is also very helpful because it means that younger students, primary students, can take care of the setting-up and packing-away of their instrument, while it would also minimze the risk, for young and old, of any back strain through lifting or carrying. Yet, while it is lightweight, it still has ample strength to support the keyboard.
While I have only been asked to review two xylophones, I think it is good to know that GB also make a top of the range Concert Marimba with Honduran Rosewood sound bars, a table-top model glockenspiel with aluminium sound bars tuned to A=442 Hz, which has an optional mobile, height adjustable stand, and also the complete Orff-Schulwerk line of instruments in full accordance with Carl Orff's principles. I tried the range of Orff percussion instruments Theo’s had and found them to be very good, and ideal for classroom and group playing . The sound bars of the metallophones are made of aluminium and are harmonically tuned and produce a surprisingly sonorous tone.
The diverse and full range of instruments GB produces, coupled with the fact that they are a growing company that exports their instruments throughout the world, reassures me that they are a company that are serious about there work and plan to be here in the future,
Providing these instruments are well cared for, treated with the respect they deserve as a musical instrument,and given the quality of European craftsmanship that has gone into the making of these instruments, they should provide many years of good music making for everyone.