Are you planning to buy Kalimba? But you been seeing different Kalimba Models in the market today. You also saw different styles or design in YouTube videos but they all sounds beautiful when you heard them at the videos. To give you some help, we will discuss some of the common Models that have highly used as today.
Hollow Box Kalimba Models
This Kalimba model is a box type with a Sound hole at the middle, just below the near tines, and two small holes at the back. It is also being called a resonator box since with this model the resonance is much louder. We can see that this was the most popular with all the current Kalimba. And these models are same as the first model ever created, Treble Kalimba (17 Keys) and Alto Kalimba (15 Keys) by Hugh Tracey. There are also model wherein it has a built in pick-up to connect to amplifier, speaker or headphones.
We can find different styles as well of the box itself. There are the common box type, sexy body type, animal style (commonly bear).
There are newer hollow box kalimba wherein the hole are at the foot instead of the front center. But the same concept was done like the normal box type, making the sound louder.
Pros:
- Louder Sounds
Cons:
- The highest tines are more tend be dead or stuck
- Sounds tends to be scattered
You might want to read : How to Fix buzzing Kalimba Tines
Flat Board Kalimba Models
The second model we will discuss is a flat board, by its name, it is a flat board with no holes. We can say that this is the second popular model. This is after the Celeste Kalimba model of Hugh Tracey. Since no sound hole, the sounds tends to be softer when playing. A quick tip to make it louder is by playing it on top of the table, making the table absorb the vibration and became resonator. Newer model also have the pick-up ready on the go.
Same as with the hollow box, different styles are on the market. The original plain flat board, the sexy style , the more sexier style and also there are the animal themed style.
There is a new model of flat board which is an electronic that has built in pick-up and volume adjustment at the top. It was also a chargeable kalimba. It was designed by one of the Kalimba Ambassador, April Yang.
Pros:
- Easier to hold
- Lesser chance to have dead tines
- Easier to build a DYI kalimba
- More defined sounds
Cons:
- Soft sounds (depends on the user preference)
Acrylic Kalimba Models
This is the third on the list, wherein it was an innovation that came to us by using acrylic as
the body. This model is based on the flat board, but instead of using wood, its the acrylic this time. Every part of it is the same with the wooden kalimba, its just the body that was modified. They been using a clear transparent acrylic that makes you see everything on the other side. It has the same principle as the flat board with the way it resonate.
The most popular style in the market is the bear. And the most successful brand is Kimi Kalimba.
Pros:
- Easier to hold
- Lesser chance to have dead tines
Cons:
- Softer sound (depends on the user preference)
Conclusion
On buying Kalimba, there are few things you need to consider. From the model of kalimba, size, tines spacing, preferred design up to your budget. But the most important is the way it will make you satisfied on how it will resonate. Loud sounds with Hollow box or Softer sounds with the flat board type.
Feel free to leave a comment on what do you think it worth buying models for you.
