DIY Kalimba Support

Check out the result for a 21-tine thumb piano

Build your own instrument with this exotic wood soundboard!

Build your kalimba with this DIY stand

Looking for a wooden body—also known as a soundboard—for your custom DIY kalimba? We’ve selected some of the finest woods available to transmit the vibrations of your future instrument’s tines with clarity and depth. Choose between African padauk or black walnut with its stunning grain.

Each stand presented here is made exclusively from untreated solid wood. No chemicals are used. After sanding, we apply two coats of all-natural wax for an incredibly smooth feel. Since you’ll be holding your instrument regularly, using only natural products is essential.

All you need to do is add a set of tines to this DIY kalimba stand to create an authentic homemade thumb piano. You can either make your own keys or use this kalimba kit, which contains the tines, two bridges, and the pressure bar needed for your instrument to work properly.

Features of the DIY kalimba stand

• Dimensions of the 10 to 17-tine model: 18 × 12 × 2 cm (7 × 4.75 × 0.79 in)
• Dimensions of the 17 to 21-tine model: 18 × 13 × 2 cm (7 × 5 × 0.79 in)
• Wood type: padauk or black walnut

To properly install the tines on your future African instrument, you’ll need kalimba pliers to help you slide the keys between the bridges and the pressure bar. If you’d rather skip the assembly, treat yourself to one of our ready-made kalimbas.