X8-CT-KLB Coconut Kalimba Thumb Piano

OK, I've owned several kalimbas and for the price, if you're looking for something to tinker around with, this makes a good first kalimba. Its sturdy, its nice looking, its a good size. Kalimbas aren't that complicated an instrument. If they're made well there's really only one thing to consider. Remember that any instrument you buy will need to be tuned. If you get one of these its no exception. But if you're serious about learning this is a plus. You'll need to learn how anyway and its a good place to start. You can Google "how do I tune a Kalimba?" and get all the info you want. All you'll need is a screwdriver. On the other hand, if all you want is a wall-hanger or something to plink on just for fun this is as good as any and, given the price, better than most. Why pay more? As Kalimbas go this is, on a scale of 1 to 10, a 7. For a few bucks? That ain't bad.

This is a fun little item. I am not a musician in any way shape or form, but I enjoy playing around with this thumb piano anyway. The notes are clear and somewhat exotic sounding. The fact that it takes both hands to play has enabled me to cut back on some very bad habits (smoking being number one). When I get the urge to light up, I grab this item instead and before I know it, I am so engrossed in making pretty "noise" that I forget I had a craving. My musician friends play with it and make me feel entirely inadequate, but they also show me that its a real instrument that can make real music (unlike the 'pretty noise I manage to make) I would recommend this to anyone, young or old, musician or fumble fingers, Anyone will enjoy this.

This is the first Kalimba I've tried so I don't have any previous experience with these instruments. I saw a few YouTube videos on them while researching different kinds of instruments and these really resonated with me so I had to get one.This particular model seemed fair and perfect for a new comer. Being a piano player I was able to pick this up and immediately play, but even for non musicians the learning curve is not difficult. I have to say it is a high quality and well built instrument. The Gecko designs on the face of the wood are beautiful and the bottom is very comfortable. Plucking soft or tough will give you different sounds.This is the perfect way to get introduced to Thumb Pianos, it gives you the basics and will give you a feel for how they work. Experienced players may want to look elsewhere but if you want to try these awesome and unique sounding instruments for the first time then you found a great starting point!

It's a cute instrument for music and instrument lovers, but the packaging was bad. It was stuffed together with a bunch of other items I bought and this one was wrapped individually inside of the package in a bubble wrap envelope, which was SO TIGHT that all of the keys were moved to one side and I had to do a lot of adjusting. This is the first time I had an issue with Amazon's packaging.The instrument itself I realize is more for fun than for serious play, but the coconut shell did appear to have some scratches and the face of it was a little misaligned with the shell in one place.Otherwise, the keys do work, though I still don't know what the proper tuning for it should be. It is possible to adjust for the desired sound and it's fun to play around with.This was purchased as a gift for someone.

Very comfy in the hands, love this shape much more than square ones. intuitive to play. I bought this for my brother as a gift and tuned it for him because he would have just played it sounding like garbage. Be prepared to tune on your own (just need a screw driver and tuner), I recommend an interesting tuning, look online for ideas. Your finger tips may get a bit raw following maybe an hour or more of playing. The tone is a bit thin and the volume does not travel far. I think it is a great thing to sit on a coffee table to fiddle with and be surprised by how easy it is to riff on.

All the metal bars on here are crooked, which I wouldn't mind so much, but this thing is not in tune whatsoever. Sounds terrible and worse than something you would get at the dollar store unfortunately.Other than that it looks decent, I just wish they had made me one that actually works, which is kind of the main idea.

If you are looking to tinker around with a Kalimba, get this one. It's cheap, possible to tune, and looks pretty good. I leave it under the coffee table and pick it up during commercials, it's a good break from guitar and piano. I re-tuned mine into E (I think) and anyone can play it and sound good.

The drum came surrounded by good thick bubble wrap that did its job, because there was not a scartch on it. The sounds is very typical of this instrument, and familiar and fun in it's special way. I was super excited when I received this, because I ordered it on the 15th and the shipping estimate was the 22nd at the earliest. Instead, I got it two days after I ordered it, the 17th, and of course with no expectation of seeing it was pretty dang excited. I can't wait to share my new little Kalimba with the kids at school. Only a tiny bit worried about the durability, but with a watchful eye during special music times, I am sure this drum will last a while.