Best Balalaika & Best Balalaika Brands
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The Balalaika, although well-known and one of the major musical instruments in Russia is one of the most uncommon musical instruments and quite relatively unknown amongst even the so-called music experts. Of Russian origin, the Balalaika is sometimes referred to as “Russian Guitar” and is believed to have evolved from the Oriental Domra.
The Balalaika is an important instrument that represents the character of the Russians, and in the past, this instrument was used to poke fun at the authority, and for some time it was banned by the state and the church. By the 18th century, its popularity soared, and it was even used by the people when they fled during the war.
So, if you have come across this instrument or heard about it somewhere, and you would like to get one for yourself to either practice or play professionally, there are certain things you need to know.
What are the Best Balalaikas to Buy?
You have to be well-informed about the instrument and information such as the different types of Balalaika, where you can get them, what to look out for regarding price and other things are highly necessary. In this article, we will be reviewing few Balalaikas, and we will be talking about the features and performance of each of them.
The Balalaika is a musical instrument that belongs to the Lute family, has a triangle-shaped body and comes in different sizes. The sizes are namely Soprano, Piccolo, Prima, Alto, Bass, Contra-Bass, Sub-Contrabass, and Secunda.
If you want to buy a Balalaika with a low pitch, then you should go for a big Balalaika. And the Balalaika can be played with the fingers or a plectrum. For instance, the Prima Balalaika is played with the fingers while the Alto and Secunda Balalaika are both played with a plectrum of the fingers depending on what you are playing.
The Contrabass Balalaika comes with extension legs with which it sits on the floor, and it is played with leather plectrums. You can get the Balalaika from some online shopping platforms, and you need to be wary of the prices you see.
Usually, when it comes to prices of Balalaika, it is important that you make sure you don’t try to buy a cheap one. This is because a low-price Balalaika may not be a professional version; it could be a souvenir.
A professional Balalaika can cost you quite a lot of money, but since you know about the instrument already, you already know what you are getting into. So, let’s get into the review of the below seven Balalaikas.
7 Best Balalaika Reviews and the Best "Russian Guitars"
1) New Ukrainian Trembita Russian Balalaika 3 Strings Prima
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Here is a Russian Balalaika, made in Ukraine that is constructed from natural wood so if you love wooden designs and feel, this balalaika is probably for you. The design features three strings, is Prima-sized and can be used by beginners who are in the process of learning how to play.
You can buy this balalaika for yourself whether you are a solo, ensemble or orchestra player, you can play the New Ukrainian Trembita Russian Balalaika in any musical setting. It features three strings, 24 neck, 3 frets, a maple fretboard, nutwood back and sides and a beech top. It weighs 1400 grams, and its dimensions are 26.8 by 16.93 inches.
The manufacturer, Trembita is a top manufacturer of musical instruments in Ukraine and has been in business for over 60 years. Trembita makes use of the best new technologies available to create new musical instruments that are not too expensive. This particular product has set a new standard of quality in the history of Balalaikas and buying it will give you the full experience that any music enthusiast will expect from a high-end Balalaika.
From impressive new design, newly improved technology, top-notch materials and production process to the best species of wood. This Balalaika is a highly reliable one that you will have a swell time playing.
2) Naomi Vintage Russian Balalaika
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Completely handmade, here is one Balalaika that has its back made from selected solid-flamed maple. It features a solid spruce-AA top, and the back and side is Solid Maple. This product has an impressive body design and the fingerboard, head, binding, head cover and picks guard all to look ebony.
It consists of Chinese strings. It also comes with Ebony Nut & Saddle and the manufacturer is one of the best providers of OEM services for all types of musical instruments.
The Naomi Vintage Russian Balalaika Prima Folk is a beauty to behold, and the instrument feels good to hold and play. It also throws you back to eons, and it is a vivid representation of what ancient Russians used to create music.
It will easily blend with your home décor and even enhance it if you place the instrument in one corner of the room. You cannot go wrong if you choose this Balalaika.
3) Mid-East Balalaika, Prima
The Mid-East Balalaika comes in a classic triangle shape and is fully handcrafted with Rosewood Stave Construction. It is designed by Mid-East, a musical instruments production company in Pakistan and enough attention was paid to details in the physical design and inclusion of functionalities in the product.
The dimension of the instrument is 27 inches in length and has a scale length of 430mm. Two tones of rosewood are used in constructing the stave and regarding physical design, it has a dark-colored back and a light-colored soundboard which make a direct contrast.
Even though this product was not made in Russia, the highest-level standards of making a musical instrument were adopted. Mid-East Balalaika falls into the category of high-quality Balalaikas, and it gives you your money's worth.
Learning how to play the balalaika is easy and suitable for every music enthusiast of all ages. The Balalaika gives you the feel of the Russian culture and of course the chance to create great music with an instrument that represents a lot.
4) Trembita New Russian Balalaika 3-String Prima Wood
Another impressive offering from Trembita, the well-known Ukrainian maker of musical instruments which include Balalaikas. It features three strings, hand-painted, made of wood and high quality.
It is suitable for groups, bands, and single players and can be a very good tool for beginners who have the desire to learn how to play. It is made using white and maple wood, and the body is spruced with different species of timber. It also comes with open type of peg mechanics.
The instrument comes with 24 Necks, 3 frets, a maple Fretboard, nutwood back and sides or laminated Carpathian spruce as well as a top made of beech. Its dimensions are 68cm by 43cm and it weighs about 1400 grams. The Balalaika produces nothing short of excellent sound as Trembita is a chief pioneer maker of impressive musical instruments that produce brilliant music.
The technology employed in creating this instrument is of the best quality, and this gives you an all-around impressive instrument at little cost. Trembita has been in the music instrument and acoustic guitar production business for more than 60 years, so you should expect nothing short of brilliance and reliability in this Balalaika.
5) Balalaika 3 Strings 3S-16 Manufaktura: “Balalaiker” Great work from Russian masters
To pierce deeply into the soul of Russian origins, this particular Balalaika with three strings is for you. The 3-string beauty is a purely professional instrument that is different from a souvenir Balalaika.
The body is made of wood, and the soundboard is thick enough to make the sound produced by the strings unique and rich. It is built on the technologies of the early XX century and can be used by both professionals and amateurs.
Like most balalaikas, it is manufactured in Russia, and comes with a learning game that helps you learn how to play if it is your first time. The loop dimensions are 705 x 430 x 100mm, and it can be used by children as well.
Not many Balalaikas can produce original quality sound and be easy to play at the same time. The Balalaika 3 Strings 3S-16 does this effectively. Materials like maple, cherry strings, beech, and fir are used in the construction.
It is designed and manufactured by Balalaika in Russia, a top producer of Balalaika musical instrument so you can be certain that the product you are getting an original product created in its origins.
6) Brand New Handmade Russian Balalaika 3 Strings
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Designed by Famous Master, what we have here is a luxury Balalaika that was designed in 2016. Made from natural wood consisting of wenge, maple, and mahogany. As a luxury balalaika, you will expect nothing short of luxury or quality sound from it.
It produces a beautiful sound that will make you surprised and pleased with the product. This brand is one that puts quality first with this Balalaika; you will get to experience quality at its finest.
Whether you are a professional, amateur, an adult or you intend to buy one for your child, this Russian Balalaika is one of greatest you can buy. You will be going for quality and luxury at the same time.
The good thing is, the manufacturer is an expert at restoring, tuning and preparing musical instruments for musicians. So, you rest assured that the product is well-designed to suit your taste and to fit into whatever use you intend it for.
Excellent sound is a big perk in every musical instrument, and for sure, in the Brand New Handmade Russian Balalaika, the excellent sound it produces makes it worth it.
7) Balalaika Doff BV Universal traditional three-stringed. Great work from Russian masters
The Balalaika is manufactured by Doff, a Russian maker of quality Balalaika, setting quite the standard for clarity of sound, ease of use and top-notch performance. The instrument is fabricated from deck material in beech, maple and cedar variants. The strings are made of steel, and it is handcrafted by a Russian expert in making Balalaikas.
To fully experience the rich Russian culture, this three-stringed Balalaika is one thing that you should get. You can use this balalaika for pretty much any purpose as it is a professional-grade instrument that made from highly suitable materials for musical instruments. The wood is carefully selected and hand-picked from Northern Russia and has been processed through a series of natural conditions to make it durable.
The Balalaika Doff BV Universal traditional three-stringed features a thick soundboard which makes the sound quality top notch and unmatched by other products. This instrument features the standard composing elements DECA, and comes with 16 standard modal Peg line mechanics.
The technology it is built on is that of the XX century. The use of this product is one that will give you the full experience of playing with a Balalaika. Professional and amateurs, as well as adults and children, can all use this product.
Choosing the Best Balalaika from the Best Best Balalaika Brands
Balalaikas have existed for centuries in the past, and they formed an important aspect of the Russian culture. You need to have the desire to be a part of this culture or be an avid music enthusiast. Either way, getting a Balalaika is one of the ways to bring out the musical ingenuity in you.
You can play beautiful music; enjoy the clear, crisp sound this instrument produces; and even learn the basics of playing the Balalaika. To do all these, you have to know exactly where to start your search for a reliable Balalaika.
There are lots of websites that you can buy high-quality Balalaikas at affordable costs. The most important thing that you need to know as mentioned earlier in this article is that trying to cut costs when buying a balalaika is not a good idea. The cheap balalaikas usually end up being substandard and in most cases be souvenirs.
For you to get a professional balalaika, you will need to part with some money as they do not usually come cheaply. A reliable balalaika should be easy to play, learn with and easy to handle. You should be on full alert when buying your balalaika as it is not just any other commodity you can pick off shelves.