How To Buy Your First Kalimba
Want to buy a kalimba? Overwhelmed by the number of options? Buying a kalimba is an investment, so you'll want to do a little research before you jump in. There are a variety of factors that determine why one kalimba sounds, feels, and plays differently from another. Understanding these factors is key when it comes to deciding what kalimba you should buy.
Assess your budget. Before you look into the differences between kalimbas of different price ranges, you have to decide how much you're willing to pay at most. Find your maximum and then work from there. Know that most people recommend not paying less than $20 for a new kalimba, even if you're a beginner, as the quality will make it sound inferior and difficult to play.
2. Consider your skill level. It's important to consider how much experience you have with kalimba because it will help determine how much to spend. An amateur will expect to upgrade kalimbas eventually, and doesn't have much need for the subtle aspects that make a high-end kalimba better than a budget kalimba. If you're more experienced with the kalimba, you'll want to aim for something in the $30-$50 range. If you're a pro, something in the $50-$70 range will last you a lifetime.
3. Look into some of the best brands for each price point. Most well-known kalimba brands have models for every price point, but some brands do certain price points better. Some brands to look into includes LingTing, Gecko, Hluru, Quokka Tunes, Hugh Tracey, Moozika, Unokki and Seeds.
Gecko and Unokki both make several models of kalimbas that are rated highly for beginners on a budget.
Lingting, Quokka Tunes, Moozika and Hluru all make great kalimbas for those with a little higher budget. These are great brands for intermediate players.
Seeds and Hugh Tracey make many high-end kalimbas. These kalimbas will be more expensive but for good reason.
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