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CIGAR BOX KALIMBAS

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Putting the THUMB in the strum...

Members: 115
Latest Activity: Apr 20, 2021

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Discussion Forum

I made 3 Kalimbas. Yay!

Started by Estone Villan. Last reply by Estone Villan Apr 30, 2017. 2 Replies 0 Likes

Ok so i made 3 Kalimbas with small cigar boxes i had. I used car wiper blades for tines.They sound so different. I'm not sure if it's the sound holes but only 2 were successful really.From left to…Continue

First Kalimba build

Started by Greg Thompson. Last reply by Graham Alibone Feb 1, 2015. 2 Replies 0 Likes

Not a cigar box, but what the heck...A top half of a gourd works, too.Continue

My kalimba

Started by Jantan ux Aug 18, 2013. 0 Replies 0 Likes

For me best keys are mini hand saw blades right now. Metal saw blades didn't bent and braked easily.I Snapped the saw blades half and made them safe for player. I tuned each key in right note with…Continue

Tags: aluminum, rods, bolts, saw, keys.tuning

Stack 'Em Up!

Started by George Durbin. Last reply by George Durbin Aug 17, 2013. 5 Replies 1 Like

Started putting together a few kalimbas cause they're so much fun to build and ended up with a stack of them. Took them to the local flea market and sold (3), so I'm on a roll now and the…Continue

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Comment by Diane in Chicago on December 15, 2009 at 1:37pm: I see a pentatonic kalimba, there in the mist . . .

Comment by surffrogg on December 14, 2009 at 9:13pm: mezzy make sure u save the handle for a d bow neck

Comment by Tom (mezzy) Hiles on December 14, 2009 at 6:56pm: oooooooooooooooooooo... Just found me a rake, and it isn't doing me any good in the snow and -20 degree weather here. It must die...! Sacrifice..!!!!

Comment by william E. Drumm on December 14, 2009 at 2:21pm: Great idea for a group. The Kalimba, Mbira, is a natural cigar box musical instrument. As soon as I get my hands on some tine material I'm going to build one...or two.

Comment by Mama Mojo on December 14, 2009 at 12:42pm: Thanks for the additional info! I just bought one of these from Overstock.com so I can see how it is constructed and how it should sound before I build my own! It was onsale for maybe 17 bucks! I knew what the instrument was, just not what it was called! there is also a similar instrument called the Mbira.... this is gonna be fun for those smaller boxes that won't make good guitars!

Comment by Norm Nyburg on December 14, 2009 at 3:08am: Great idea Henry! Thanks for the invite. I've loved the sound of these instruments ever since I watched a special with Henry Saint Clair Fredericks aka Taj Mahal. Sweet music!

Comment by surffrogg on December 13, 2009 at 10:06pm: awesome mezz will look forward to seeing pics

Comment by Tom (mezzy) Hiles on December 13, 2009 at 10:05pm: these are great! I have a cigar box that's too small for anything else. It belonged to my father who passed away a few years ago. My sister really wants that box, and she has been on me for a cbg. Think I'm gonna give her a kalimba made from this box for Xmas.. Will post pic when it's done