Written by Ambre Montespan - Updated on May 8, 2026
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Thinking about treating yourself to a brand-new kalimba? Have you heard of the Hokema brand and are considering buying one of their thumb pianos? Wondering whether they truly make quality instruments and if itâs worth investing in the models they sell?
Having played the kalimba for over 10 years, Iâve tested almost every brand of kalimba on the market. Iâve had the chance to try several models made by Hokema, so I can give you my honest opinion on this brand, which focuses exclusively on lamellophones.
Hokema kalimbas are, as a general rule, decent instruments in terms of quality. However, there are alternatives that are much more attractive in terms of value for money.
After reading this article, you will learn:
- The origins of the Hokema brand
- The overall quality of their kalimbas and alternatives to consider
As a result, youâll have all the information you need to make the right choice for your future purchase, and youâll feel confident youâre getting an instrument that meets all your expectations.
Now, letâs dive in.
Learn more about Peter Hokema's company
Hokema was founded in 1985 in Walsrode, a small town in Lower Saxony, Germany, by Peter Hokema, a German violinist and luthier who wasnât particularly well known at the time. Since then, the company has specialized in making kalimbas. Peter Hokema discovered this traditional African percussion instrument during his musical explorations as a student. He was quickly captivated by its exotic, soothing sound and decided to devote his company to this one instrument.
In 2001, he designed the sansula, an innovation consisting of an oval wooden frame topped with a drum membrane that amplifies the sound of a kalimba placed in its center. You can learn more about the sansula by reading our dedicated article. This new instrument was subsequently patented, to the point that no one currently produces sansulas except Hokema. Today, this family business is in its second generation and employs 13 people to design their musical instruments. These instruments are entirely assembled in Germany with materials sourced from various other countries.
What is my opinion of Hokema kalimbas?
After testing several Hokema kalimbas and comparing them to other models on the market, my opinion is that this brand offers good instruments, but theyâre not really great value for money. Itâs worth noting that the basic 17-tine model sells for around $100, which is fairly pricey, but could be justified. However, for that price, youâre getting the âbareâ kalimbaâno accessories. Add a carrying case and youâll pay about $40 more, which is a lot. On top of that, the tuning hammer, thumb protectors, stickers to help you memorize the tines, and a cleaning cloth are missing. For the same budget, brands like Gecko and Ling Ting offer similar quality and include all those extras with the instrument.
Furthermore, with Hokema, you have no choice in the materials used for your thumb piano. All models sold by Hokema are made from cherry wood imported from the United States. This wood isnât especially sought-after in instrument making because it doesnât deliver standout acoustics, and itâs surprising given that Hokema emphasizes its environmental commitment. Sourcing from a German, or at least European, wood supplier would likely have made more sense. If you look at other kalimba brands, you can choose from a wide range of woods such as mahogany, maple, black walnut, and sandalwood, which offer beautiful acoustics and are also visually stunning. In addition, the pressure bar that holds the tines in place is still an older-style design where the screws are very visible, compared to other brands that have modernized this detail. Watch this video to get an idea. Personally, I find this older design rather unsightly:
Furthermore, the number of keys on Hokema kalimbas is limited. The company sells models with between 5 and 17 tines. If you want a slightly richer model with 21 tines or a chromatic scale with 24 or 34 tines, Hokema is not for you. The same goes for the type of kalimba, as none of those sold by Hokema have a resonator box. Again, youâll be limited to choosing a model made from a simple wooden board.
However, Hokema kalimbas are still enjoyable to play. They produce a decent sound and are generally good musical instruments. You just need to be aware that other competing brands offer a very serious alternative, both technically and financially, compared to Hokema, which has remained very traditional and basic in the models it produces. In my opinion, this brand has not bothered to evolve to adapt to the different requirements of musicians, which are obviously no longer the same as in 1985 when the company was founded.
Get yourself an excellent musical instrument
Hokema was one of the pioneers in the field of kalimbas, manufacturing this type of instrument at a time when very few people even knew this small African thumb piano existed. Today, while Hokema remains a brand worth considering, itâs clear that other companies such as Gecko and Ling Ting have caught upâand even surpassedâthe quality of Hokemaâs products. Hokema still offers only relatively simple instruments with very few accessories, and the brand feels less current than many of todayâs options.
Nevertheless, even in the small world of the kalimba, there are unfortunately counterfeits of certain quality brands that are far from matching the acoustic performance of the original models. Thatâs why itâs particularly recommended to purchase your kalimba from the Instruments du Monde store, which works directly with different kalimba brands to ensure that it always supplies exceptional thumb pianos. For example, this wonderful Gecko kalimba, made of solid mahogany, produces striking sounds that are sure to charm you.
Put quality first and discover this Gecko kalimba by clicking on the image below:
Do you know how to properly apply stickers to your kalimba? Learn how to correctly place these stickers on your thumb piano by reading our dedicated article. You will see that it is important to apply them correctly to help you memorize the tines and play the sheet music properly. If you have already installed them, take a look at our complete guide to the kalimba.
