When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
This is a great little kit for building your own cigar box kalimba (thumb piano)! The cigar box and all of the necessary hardware is included with this kit (see list below), and we also include a 10-page instruction booklet that walks you through every step of the process. This is a nice basic kit that only requires basic tools such as a hand drill and screwdriver. Our how-to guide even includes a how-to-tune and how-to-play section.
This is a great kit to build with kids, and the result is a beautiful, great-sounding little instrument that is sure to impress your friends. All of the key parts are pre-drilled to keep the assembly process nice and basic.
Kit Inventory:
- Wooden or Paper-Covered Cigar Box (specially selected to be a good size for a kalimba)
- 12 pre-cut and shaped kalimba tines
- 2 zinc-plated T-nuts
- 1 hardwood backing bridge plate (pre-drilled)
- 1 hardwood bridge (pre-drilled)
- 1 brass tensioning tube (pre-drilled)
- 2 brass machine screws
- 1 brass saddle rod
- 10-page how-to booklet
Please note that cigar box styles will vary widely from that shown in the listing photos, but we guarantee that the box you receive will be a nice flat style great for use as a cigar box kalimba. Some additional smoothing of tine ends with fine-grit sandpaper may be needed.
About the Kalimba…
The kalimba, also known as a thumb piano, is an instrument of African origin whose history goes back thousands of years. While there have been many styles and types of kalimba over the centuries, this “westernized” style was developed by ethnomusicologist Hugh Tracey in the first half of the 20thcentury during his travels through Africa recording indigenous music.
Our full-size kalimbas have 12 keys and are tuned to the key of C, and our mini model has 8 keys and is tuned to the key of G. Only the “whole” notes of the scale are included, leaving out all sharps and flats, so there are no “off” notes to create discord. There is no such thing as a wrong note on one of our kalimbas - only soft, harmonious melodies!
We build our kalimbas from various softwoods and hardwoods and finish them with safe, non-toxic natural oils. Each one comes with a basic how-to-play guide to help kids get started playing and pick out basic tunes. Prices shown are for basic softwood models.
INTERNATIONAL BUYERS PLEASE READ...We ship packages via the U. S. Postal Service, either First Class Mail International or Priority Mail International. While these services generally get packages anywhere in the world in 1 to 2 weeks, sometimes it can take longer - this is almost always because the Customs Office in your country delays the package. In some cases it has taken up to 4 weeks for a package to be delivered. We will not consider an item as \"lost\" until at least 30 days have passed from the time of shipment. Also, you may be responsible for local customs duties and taxes depending on your country\'s laws. We mark package values honestly, as required by the laws of the United States, so please don\'t ask us to declare a false value, or declare a package as a gift. If you are an international buyer, please be aware of these realities BEFORE buying.
Recycled Materials...We use recycled cardboard as packaging materials whenever possible. Those of you who care about the environment can appreciate the value of this, and everyone can appreciate the fact that it helps keep our prices lower since we don\'t have to buy new cardboard for packaging. This may mean that our packaging materials occasionally show some shipping scuffs, labels, printing or other markings, but used cardboard does the job just fine. Hopefully you will find a way to recycle it on your end too!
Best Value vs. Cheapest Price...Whenever possible, we try to make sure we have the best price on for the products we offer. In the rare cases when another seller beats our price by a few pennies, we stand by my claim that our offer is the best VALUE on . We are always available by e-mail to answer questions as best we can for anyone who buys products from us and needs advice. We certainly cannot answer every question authoritatively, but at the very least we can recommend where to go for more information. With C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply, you can be sure that your items will be well packaged, will ship on time, and will get to you as fast as USPS first class mail can deliver it.
About C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply...Since 2008 we have provided thousands of customers around the globe with low-cost, high-quality guitar parts, gear and accessories, with 100% positive response. Many of them have since become repeat customers. We are committed to providing the highest quality products at some of the best prices available anywhere. Our business model is \"Sell unto others as you would have them sell unto you\", and we stick to that. Give us a try today and experience what hundreds of others have already discovered.
ABOUT 
