Wittner Wooden Metronome With Bell 811M

Comodo, ha un suono piacevole per chi studia parecchie ore ed è molto bello anche a livello estetico. Qualità costruttiva ottima. Consigliato.

Just got mine. I was excited to finally get a quality metronome, but then…

Where should I start?

Let’s go thru the description first. As seen on other posts, this is a mechanical (pendulum) metronome from a very reputable company. This particular model is one of their wooden cased 800/810 series metronomes. All their internal mechanisms are the same. As some have described, some internal parts, particularly cog wheels and regulators, are plastic, which could be seen as cheap, but may also allow for smooth movement (or simply to cut on the cost). The base where the mechanism attaches to the case, as well as the front panel holding the scale, the base / bottom cover including the feet, and the latch on the cover are all plastic – bottom line, don’t be surprised to see plastic. (As a off note, it has three feet. For some reason I was expecting four feet to match the shape.) The case is solid wood, but pay attention before ordering your model. As someone already pointed out, model letters do matter. All of these wooden models are made of solid wood, but they are stained (“coloured” as Wittner describes them) to the color depicted. Only the 804/804m and 814/814m models have cases made out of genuine walnut wood – the rest are stained wood, not laminate. Overall, it looks very nice and I would argue solid as well.

The mechanism runs smoothly and the tic-tic sound is crisp. It is also well regulated, able to keep a steady tempo for a long time, and only noticeably slower during the last beats of the winding – I believe this is where it is best. The pendulum also adds the benefit of providing a visual aid.

However, I was much disappointed to find out that the calibration is off, resulting in what others describe as “getting off beat” rather quickly when compared to other tried and true quartz metronomes. Being and engineer I am at times almost obsessed with precision, so I went on to do some tests to find out the reason for this anomaly. I went on to measure the BPMs with a stopwatch and found that by 1’23’’ the mechanical metronome running at 60 bpm was ahead by one full beat. The same was true running at 120 bpm, and other measures. Basically, the pendulum mechanism was running fast when tested at sea level. Thinking that the way to slow it down was to add weight to the slide, I proceeded to test doing so. I got good results by affixing a piece of masking tape the size of the slide onto the sliding weight for the 60 bpm measure. But then for 120 bpm I had to add three pieces of masking tape, indicating that the calibration was non-linear (which is obviously marked on the scale). So, adding weight was not going to be a practical solution (the idea was to eventually permanently affix lead tape). So, if weight cannot be added, then the scale must be changed. This would be impossible since the scale is affixed to the front panel and the marks on the pendulum are permanent. Then the only other viable solution to slowing the tempo was to slide the sliding weight slightly upward from its mark. After some tests I found that sliding the slide half a notch between 60 and 58 bpm achieves a very close-to 60 bmp measure. The same between the 120 and 116 bpm marks achieves a close-to and steady 120 bpm. I did not try the rest, but I would bet it would be close. It works, but it is rather cumbersome.

It was quite disappointing to find out that such an expensive tool from a reputable manufacturer was so imprecise, particularly if it indeed can be solved by just adjusting the scale. It is possible this mechanism was designed and calibrated for higher altitudes (so the pendulum would be slower), but I doubt it – it would be a bit of a stretch. I am consoled only by two facts, 1) that I am not so much in need of precise tempo for my practice, but rather steady tempo – this the mechanical metronome does well, and 2) it does look great on top of my piano.

So, if you are looking for a precise metronome, look elsewhere or you will be very disappointed. For the same price you can get a top-of-the-line precise quartz / electronic metronome like a Boss DB-90. If on the other hand you are not much concerned about precise tempo but rather steady tempo (e.g. you practice on your own), are looking for a nice display piece or are nostalgic / fascinated by mechanical metronomes, then the Wittner 800/810 wooden case metronome series are the ones to have. For these reasons I am keeping mine.

Great metronome. Its accurate and works as well as it looks. I love the bell function, i didnt understand what it is or what it does (The bell function) but after trying it its a great added feature.

Le son est fort sans l’être de trop.
La finition est réussie.
La mécanique est robuste et la possibilité de jouer en ternaire est très appréciée.
C’est un très bel objet.

When Santa brings an expensive metronome to your kid, you expect it to last a very long time. This lasted six days. The bell feature stops the metronome motion though it still works as a normal metronome when the bell is turned off. I looked through the plastic grate on the bottom to see plastic internals in the mechanism. No surprise it broke, and not a recipe for it to work for a lifetime as was the expectation for the high price paid. I’m also disappointed by the quality of the wood though that is not a deal-breaker.

Keeps time well!!!