Comments on: Reimagined DIY Thumb Pianos, Amplified, Electrified, and with Faux Fur

By: Luka Mukhavele

Luka Mukhavele — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:29:00 +0000

I am also a musical instrument
builder, end enjoed to see you web. I am actually an ethnomusicologist, doing research in the traditional music and respective instruments, and teach traditional music, in the unconvetional method. My workshop is in Maputo. Soon my web will be ready, and I will let you see it.
I am very interested in continuing thiexchange with you.

Regards
Luka

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 02 Oct 2007 16:34:44 +0000

Very cool. I saw His Name Is Alive use an electric kalimba on the tour supporting Detrola–it’s also on the album, used to great effect. They had one for sale, too. It had no resonator, if I recall right–just a pickup under the keys that looked like the kind you see on an electric guitar. I’d love a plan for that one.

By: Jonathan - Prospect

Jonathan - Prospect — Mon, 14 May 2007 04:18:35 +0000

Here’s a Kalimba sample kit I use.
It’s for an MPC, but they’re wave files so you can use them anywhere.
Enjoy

http://www.prospectmusic.com/files/kalimba.zip

By: Jonathan - Prospect

Jonathan - Prospect — Mon, 14 May 2007 04:03:42 +0000

I have an MPC pgm of a chromatic Kalimba if someone wants to trade some neat samples :)

By: Techzi » Blog Archive » Reimagined DIY thumb pianos, amplified, electrified, and with faux fur

Fri, 11 May 2007 20:01:13 +0000

[...] Reimagined DIY thumb pianos, amplified, electrified, and with faux fur – Link. [...]

By: sanja

sanja — Fri, 11 May 2007 14:16:28 +0000

I recommend the Congolese band Konono No. 1 to anyone who likes that kind of instrument/sound.

By: Technology Insight » Blog Archive » Reimagined DIY thumb pianos, amplified, electrified, and with faux fur

Fri, 11 May 2007 13:29:08 +0000

[...] Reimagined DIY thumb pianos, amplified, electrified, and with faux fur – Original Link. [...]

By: josh

josh — Fri, 11 May 2007 03:44:33 +0000

depending on the material used for the tines of the kalimba, you could use a guitar-type pickup to get audio output, correct?

If not, does anyone have recommendations for tiny piezo mics to use? i’ve had trouble getting good sound with homemade piezos.

Thanks!
Josh

By: det

det — Thu, 10 May 2007 23:41:56 +0000

nice, i love mbiras, this song is beautiful Reginald and Julius

By: Stabilizer

Stabilizer — Thu, 10 May 2007 22:47:03 +0000

Years back I made an really simple online thumb piano (with two channel step sequencer!) in flash one afternoon… The piano was made by the late Hukwe Zawose and it’s still in my office on the shelf..

Still online here -> http://realworldrecords.com/assembly/

(Fourth link from left)

I’m thinking maybe I should have tuned it first :-)

The album that the website was for is amazing as well.