FAQ
So, what’s the catch? How are your prices so low?
There is no catch! By having low overhead, doing all the work in house, and selling directly to consumers we are able to offer high quality products at a more affordable price. Our instruments are 100% Made In America using American manufacturing. Feel free to check out our social media pages to watch almost every part of the building process.
Do you do rent-to-own or rentals?
We are proud to partner with PayPal and Affirm to offer rent-to-own options, regardless of location. Simply use the Pay Later or Affirm button at check out to pay over time.
Rentals for 5.0 Octave ($70/month) and 3.0 Octave ($40/month) instruments are available in the Western New York and Central Texas areas. Email greg@sonarispercussion.com for more info.
Do your bar widths match those of other manufacturers?
Yes. The lowest 5 Octave bar is 2-3/4″, graduated up to 1-5/8″. We do not create the “extra wide bars” at the bottom of our 5 octave keyboards.
Doesn’t Padauk sound worse than Rosewood?
Padauk can sound just as good as rosewood—if it’s properly tuned and of high quality. While poorly stored or low-grade padauk can have subpar results, well-prepared padauk is often comparable to rosewood. In fact, many players report that high-quality padauk keyboards sound almost identical to rosewood marimbas.
The notion that rosewood is irreplaceable is changing. The species of wood matters less than the tuning and craftsmanship. Alternatives like padauk, purple heart, and ipe are not only more sustainable but offer 99.9% of the acoustic quality of rosewood. The key lies in the care taken during production, not the specific wood.
For more information and to test your ears, check out Adam Tan’s great video on the subject here.
The notion that rosewood is irreplaceable is changing. The species of wood matters less than the tuning and craftsmanship. Alternatives like padauk, purple heart, and ipe are not only more sustainable but offer 99.9% of the acoustic quality of rosewood. The key lies in the care taken during production, not the specific wood.
For more information and to test your ears, check out Adam Tan’s great video on the subject here.
Do you accept PayPal, Venmo, etc.?
We accept Paypal, Venmo, and all major credit and debit cards.
How can I track my order status?
You will receive an email showing your order is pending when it is placed and another email showing your order is completed once it is shipped. At that time, we will send you the tracking number for either UPS or USPS, depending on your order. Feel free to email us at any time for an update.
What happens if I order something on backorder?
This means that the item is out of stock, but will be in stock soon. When you place an order, we will email you with the estimated wait time. Feel free to email us to check on the wait time before you order something that is out of stock.
How do the orders get shipped and what is your return policy?
Please allow up to 5 business days for processing. All orders are shipped through either UPS for big packages, or USPS for small packages. All marimba sales are final, but anything else can be returned up to 5 days after receiving it for a full refund.
Can I pick up locally?
Yes! To place an order with local pickup, simply put in our business address at checkout – Rochester, NY 14609. Swing on by the shop to pick up your order.
Still have more questions?
Email greg@sonarispercussion.com