Chromatic Kalimba

The Chromatic Kalimba – a piano kalimba

I have had frequent requests for a chromatic kalimba over the years. Now, with the lasercutting technology I used for the Linear Kalimba, I have designed a chromatic kalimba that I can offer for a reasonable price.

chromatic kalimba – current version

• 37 tones
• 3 octaves chromatically, from G2 to G5
• Notes are layed out like a piano keyboard and can be played with the fingers or thumbs
• Size: 56 cm x 39 cm x 15 cm; weight is about 9.5 kg
• Floating soundboard for a clear sound level and bass response
• Built-in pickups for amplification

The instrument has spring-tempered steel tines, aluminium brackets and a birch plywood case. I changed from using bamboo wood because that was too sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity. There are 2 pickup systems each with their own output jack, so you can get a nice stereo sound. It comes in a simple but sturdy cardboard box.
 

Here a first video, when I was using bamboo for the case:

Here a recording of the acoustic sound:

And the sound of the built-in pickups on one of the new chromatic kalimbas:

3 octaves range G2 – G5 on the chromatic kalimba