The Mark Tree Story… It was 1967, and one of Los Angeles’ busiest studio percussionists was in search of a new percussion effect. After experimenting with hanging house keys and other small metal items, he hand-cut a series of graduated metal cylinders and hung them in sequence on a wooden bar. With a flick of his hand, a shimmering, sonorous microtonal scale was produced. The sound of this invention was so unique that word quickly spread throughout Los Angeles. Soon, all the top session percussionists on the West Coast were including the new instrument in their recording dates. With no idea what to call the exotic new instrument, legendary percussionist Emil Richards suggested calling it the Mark Tree. And thus, the Mark Tree was born. Spectrasound was founded in the 1960s specifically to manufacture the new Mark Tree. Since that time, the Mark Tree has been heard on countless recordings, television shows, and film soundtracks. When Spectrasound closed its doors in 2003, the original Mark Tree was no longer available. While there are dozens of bar bell imitations, none have the microtonal brilliance of a real Mark Tree! Grover Pro has brought the ORIGINAL SPECTRASOUND™ Mark Tree back to life. Finally, musicians everywhere can once again add Mark Tree brilliance to their sound palettes! All Mark Trees feature a solid wood mantle pre-drilled to accept an optional damper bar. Each individual bar is secured to the mantle with a super-strong filament. Each filament is individually hand-tied to the mantle in a way that allows the resonance to ring true. Not to be confused with ordinary bar bells, every Spectrasound Mark Tree produces a microtonal brilliance unlike any other chime set. Listen—you’ll hear the difference! Available in black aluminum, natural aluminum, and the totally unique combination of black and natural aluminum.