WORKSHOP PROJECT
KIMBALA (Thumb piano)
KIMBALA (Thumb piano)
This little project used the body left over from the OLIVA soprano ukulele.
I originally tried using an electrical connection bar and spring steel strip from an old garden rake. Disappointing.
For a possible reason see later..
So I bought a cheap kalimba online and just installed the bars and bridge from that onto the ukulele body.
I originally tried using an electrical connection bar and spring steel strip from an old garden rake. Disappointing.
For a possible reason see later..
So I bought a cheap kalimba online and just installed the bars and bridge from that onto the ukulele body.
This is the kit body. note the plywood construction and the dovetail key slot.
The red bridge, keys and clamp bar are all from a cheap kimbala
The sound was again disappointing. not a lot of volume and some "dead" tines.
I have since read that these instrument tines need to be mounted some solid weight to make them ring.
The red bridge, keys and clamp bar are all from a cheap kimbala
The sound was again disappointing. not a lot of volume and some "dead" tines.
I have since read that these instrument tines need to be mounted some solid weight to make them ring.
So I replaced the ukulele body with a half inch thick offcut of mahogany. The improvement was amazing.
Much encouraged I got a 17 tine set and mounted them on a slightly larger block. Again a nice sound.
This kimbala is set up chromatically, rather like piano keys
.
This kimbala is set up chromatically, rather like piano keys
.
It turns out that even the ukulele body still had a use.
By drilling a new soundhole in the side and mounting the kimbala on the top you get a louder and improved sound output.
Just need to find a way to firmly mount the kalimba yet be able to change to another one if needed.
By drilling a new soundhole in the side and mounting the kimbala on the top you get a louder and improved sound output.
Just need to find a way to firmly mount the kalimba yet be able to change to another one if needed.
SPRINGFIELD UKULELE
Incorporating The Ukuleleist, Springfield Uketopians and the Lei-Abouts
WORKSHOP PROJECT
KALIMBA
(Thumb Piano)
KALIMBA
(Thumb Piano)
SPRINGFIELD UKULELE
Incorporating The Ukuleleist and Springfield Uketopians
SPRINGFIELD UKULELE
Incorporating The Ukuleleist and Springfield Uketopians