Ok in my pit we have three vibes. Two are Mussers and one is Adams. The Adams does not have the cord to hook to the electric outlet. The Mussers do.

How do these affect the quality of the sound. I mean what is the difference of the sound between one that does not plug and one that does?

It doesn't change the sound at all unless the motor is running.

So basically they just kind of upgraded or something right?

No. There is no difference in the sound. The one that has no electric connection cannot use the motor function. Only difference.

Actually CHS, it DOES effect the sound if the ressonators are closed. Make sure the ressonators are open. The motor doesn't matter.

You still use the motors? Wow. Impressive.

I know that a couple of the ensembles I've been in just completely removed the flaps in the resonators since we always wanted max sound. And in indoor, we mess with the flaps for little "nuances" and effect.

I like having the motor. I like the sound. Only part about them that sucks is when the motor breaks.
Some idiot pushed the button all the way into the mechanism and broke the whole thing. I spent two days putting it back together. I hate high schoolers. No offence.
What did they use before the invent of motors? They have little pedals like old sowing machines?

It really is about the sound you wish to produce. If you want a vibrato in it would because the one would not produce the effect. In northcoast we simply took off the flaps because there was no need for them per the music. You should do this anyway if you dont use the motor so the resonators will be unhindered.

Well sometimes we do not use the motor and well we have to get the flaps in place. I just wanted to know why and how it effects the vibes in the removing of the motors.

I would not use the motor unless the show called for it. batman98 is right. If you have the covers open it will not effect the sound. I have never heard of people just takeing them out to make the sound greater thou.

The vibraphone as an instrument hasn't been around as long as the electric motor has. Vibes only gained popularity in the early 20th century--motors have been around since the mid-19th.