Best Professional Kalimba
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Though Kalimba has an African origin, it has become a lovely musical instrument that is played all over the world nowadays. Otherwise called a thumb piano, it is one of the favorite nonconventional instruments that lots of people play for fun and at a professional level.
What are the Best Professional Kalimba?
Since Kalimbas are not commonly used in many musical settings, buying one can be sometimes difficult. However, you should not worry as this buying guide will show you the basic things you need to look forward to when purchasing a Kalimba.
· Sound holes
The Kalimba’s sound holes are undoubtedly one of the most important parts of this instrument. This is because these holes are responsible for producing the sound as well as modulating it.
Before parting ways with your hard-earned money, you need to be certain that the Kalimba produces great sound. Primarily, Kalimbas usually produce sound in the international standard C tonality.
· Wood type
Another important thing to consider is the type of wood used for making the body of the Kalimba. Typically, mahogany, Kiaat, and sapwood are the most common woods for Kalimba.
Also, the wood type may determine the color of the instrument. However, it is also possible for the Kalimba to be painted in a color that is different from the wood. Notably, the 17 keys of Kalimbas are usually attached to the wood.
· Tuning
Tuning assists you to fine-tune your Kalimba whenever it goes out of tune. The tuning also helps you to play the instrument at various tunes. In most cases, the Kalimba features a chart and tuning hammer that you can use to tune it.
Other factors you may want to think of include the resonator frames, materials of the keys, and tine colors.
7 Best Professional Kalimba Reviews
1) GECKO Kalimba 17 Keys Thumb Piano
GECKO Kalimba 17 Keys Thumb Piano is a top-quality Kalimba that is made with durable mahogany as well as ore steel bars. With the help of these materials, you are going to get a good sense of touch, vision, and hearing as you are playing the instrument.
The product weighs 1.9 pounds and has package dimensions of 9.7 x 8.2 x 3.8 inches. When you buy GECKO Kalimba 17 Keys Thumb Piano, the instrument is just one of the many tools inside the package.
Other items you can look forward to receiving include a tune sticker, tune hammer, instruction book, learning book, and cleaning cloth.
What’s more, the package contains a beautiful box that does not only protect your Kalimba from scratches, moisture, etc. but also goes a long way in making it be more beautiful.
This case also makes it easy for you to carry the instrument with you anywhere you go. Apart from its 90-day unconditional return guarantee, the manufacturer also offers a 365-day warranty.
2) Donner 17 Key Kalimba Thumb Piano Finger Piano, Mbira Solid Mahogany Body DKL-17
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Manufactured with reliable carbon steel keys and a strong mahogany box, this Kalimba is designed to produce melodious tunes. Its materials guarantee that you can use the instrument for a long time without any fear of damage.
It is a portable product that boasts of having a carry bag that ensures that you can go anywhere you want with this music instrument by your side. Despite its portability, this Kalimba is big enough to allow you to play it with your two thumbs.
Typically, this product features the international standard C tonality, 1(D), 2(B), 3(G), 4(E), 5(C5), 6(A), 7(F), 8(D), and lots more. Notably, when you are buying this Kalimba, you will also get a carry bag, user manila, and tuning tool along with it.
Hence, you have everything you need to enjoy playing it. Also, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee on this product, so if you are not satisfied with it, you can get a refund within the period.
3) Dobani Thumb Piano, Large
Designed and made in Pakistan by Mid-East, this thumb piano has dimensions of 5" x 7"; thus, it is slightly larger than many other products of its type. It features 17 different steel keys that are fixed on a wooden box.
This box allows the instrument to resonate. In addition, there are 2 vibrato holes on its back. Dobani thumb piano weighs just 1.27 pounds; therefore, it can be carried from one place to another with ease.
It should be noted that thumb pianos were first used in Africa; however, they are now available in different places around the world.
Playing this instrument is straightforward as you only have to use your fingers to cover the holes and stick playing around with the keys using your fingers.
Notably, it requires time and expertise to produce great tunes, but the results are always topnotch. This product is the perfect instrument for anyone that wants to have fun in a relaxed way.
4) ADM Thumb Piano 17 keys Kalimba African Mahogany Mbira
This product is a typical Kalimba with 17 stainless steel keys. Strong African mahogany is used by ADM for making the body of this product so that it is smooth and sturdy enough to withstand different kinds of conditions for a long time.
The dimensions of the item are 7.3" X 5.4" X 2". In addition, its package has a free instruction booklet, tune hammer, note sticker, and basic course for learning to play the instrument.
This Kalimba is kept in an eye-catching box that enables it to be portable for anyone that wants to travel with it. It also has a logo of ADM, which further adds to its overall appeal.
ADM Thumb Piano has different tunes, including 1(D), 2(B), 3(G), 4(E), 5(C5), 6(A), 7(F), 8(D), 9(C4), and so on. The product is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee as well as a 1-year warranty that protects you against design defects.
5) Kalimba, 17 Key Kalimba Thumb Piano Portable Mahogany Mbira
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This African thumb piano is another high-quality product that is particularly manufactured with exceptional and sturdy mahogany wood that allows users to be able to hold it firmly and play great tunes to the listening pleasure of others.
Like the majority of Kalimbas, this musical instrument has 17 keys that are made with premium steel. This professional Kalimba comes with a special pickup that enables you to connect it to an amplifier; hence, you can play this instrument on stage for many people to enjoy.
Other accessories in the package include songs book, instruction manual, tuning hammer, cloth bag, finger guard, colored sticker, and carry bag.
The dimensions of this professional Kalimba are 7.1 x 5.22 x 4.82 inches and the weight is 1.15 pounds. Although the warranty for this product is not specified, the manufacturing company makes it clear that it is willing to provide after-sales support to the buyers.
6) Moozica 17 Keys Kalimba
Moozica 17 Keys Kalimba is a blue-colored thumb piano, which is made with mahogany wood that is capable of withstanding all sorts of rots. This topnotch musical instrument has delicate polishing that adds to its overall look as well as its awesome sound effect.
It offers a bright and impeccable echo that produces good tunes as you continue to play. This blue thumb piano features an excellent curve that increases the appeal of the instrument. Overall, the musical instrument is portable; thus, you can carry it without much hassle.
Furthermore, it has 17 professional keys with C key tonality. Weighing 1.15 pounds, this product has dimensions of 7.1 x 5.1 x 1.3 inches.
Along with the musical instrument itself, the package also comes with a user manual, key stickers, Kalimba bag, tuning hammer, and Kalimba instruction. The carry bag of the Moozica 17 keys Kalimba is stylish and enables you to carry the product with ease.
7) Ammoon Kalimba 17 key Thumb Piano
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Ammoon Kalimba 17-Key Thumb Piano is one of the finest thumb pianos with a sleek design and tassel decoration that makes the musical instrument comes with a special feel of the African tradition.
The wood of this piano is made with African piano wood that is of great quality. This wood makes sure that the sound of the instrument will continue to rise as you play lovely tunes.
Similarly, there are 17 different keys on this thumb piano. Made with carbon steel, these keys can be adjusted based on your choice and needs. Also, their design makes touching comfortable and smooth as you continue to play the instrument.
As expected, this Kalimba has the international standard C tune which include 1(D), 2(B), 3(G), 4(E), 5(C5), 6(A), 7(F), 8(D), 9(C4), 10(E), 11(G), 12(B), 13(D), 14(F), 15(A), 16(C6), and 17(E). The product comes with a weight of 275g. As parts of the package, you will get a Kalimba, carry bag, note sticker, music booklet, tassel decoration, musical scale stickers, accompaniment chain, and tuning hammer.
Choosing the Best Professional Kalimba
There are lots of Kalimbas in the market today and, as such, you have several choices to consider when you are looking for one that fits your taste. In general, most of the Kalimbas in the market are made with quality wood and keys.
However, the major difference in these musical instruments usually lies in their design. Thankfully, different brands manufacture thumb pianos in various designs, colors, and styles; thus, you may not have a hard time finding something that suits your taste.
Having said this, it is important for you to note that your ability to enjoy the thumb piano relies heavily on whether you know how to play it or not. Fortunately, playing a Kalimba is not hard to learn.
Also, these products are relatively more affordable than the majority of the other musical instruments. Therefore, the cost may not be a problem when it comes to buying a Kalimba.