Hi Dane,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

While I can't see if this has a maker's name on it, it makes sense that it was made in Guatemala, which is one of the world’s most important centers of marimba manufacture and tradition.

In fact, the marimba is Guatemala’s national instrument, deeply rooted in Mayan and Afro-Central American culture. For generations, Guatemalan workshops—especially in regions such as Quetzaltenango, Totonicapán, and Guatemala City—have produced marimbas ranging from student models to large chromatic concert marimbas. Traditional instruments use hormigo wood for the bars, prized for its tonal qualities. I can't confirm the species of wood from these photos but assuming this was new in the 1980s, it was traditional for the bars to be made of Honduran rosewood, Hormigo, Padauk or other African hardwoods while the frames and rails traditionally used maple, birch, oak or mahogany.

In nearly-new but as-is condition, most Guatemalan marimbas of similar size and vintage have been selling at auction for between $800 and $1,200 and retailing for between $2,000 and $3,000.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

A near vintage 4-octave Guatemalan marimba
circa 1980s
approximately 60 inches long
CONDITION: in nearly-new, rarely-played condition
PROVENANCE: Inherited
Fair market value: $800-1,200*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia