Handgrip Lamellophone
Openings in the Soundboard designate the Handgrip Design and make for easy holding while playing.
![qt=q_53 A drawing of two hands holding an African harp instrument, called ilimba.](https://dz9848.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/qtq_53.webp)
![qt=q_53 (1) A person is playing an African harp called the ilimba.](https://dz9848.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/qtq_53-1.webp)
Handgrip Design Gourd Kalimba
Even large instruments are easy to hold and play with Handgrip Design
Handgrip Gourd Kalimba Lamellophone Slide Show
![rs=w_1280,h_1027 An Ilimba, a wooden ukulele with a lot of metal on it.](https://dz9848.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/rsw_1280h_1027.webp)
Peruvian Walnut Gourd Handgrip Kalimba
Burned and Dyed Design adorns this Kalimba as seen below...
Photo Gallery
Custom Handgrip Gourd Kalimba
This custom piece has Burned and Painted Design;
see below...
![rs=w_1280 A man in a hat holding a large painted tiger, accompanied by an African harps.](https://dz9848.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/rsw_1280-3.webp)
Photo Gallery
Custom Handgrip Gourd Kalimba Demo Video
![qt=q_68 A person holding an African harp in the grass.](https://dz9848.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/qtq_68.webp)
Another Gourd Handgrip Example
Photo Gallery
Painted Gourd Handgrip Kalimba Demo
Handgrip Tinlimba
I coined the term "Tinlimba" to refer to Lamellophone I make with cookie tins as the resonating body. This one is a large (double chocolate chip) tin; 13" diameter, with very fine grain Mahogany for the soundboard. Depth is 6". Tinlimba produce unique and wonderfully haunting reverberating sound.
![rs=w_1280 A wooden ukulele, resembling African harps, is sitting in the grass.](https://dz9848.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/rsw_1280-4.webp)
![rs=w_1280 (1) An Ilimba, a circular painted object, laying in the grass.](https://dz9848.p3cdn1.secureserver.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/rsw_1280-1-2.webp)
Backside of above Handgrip Tinlimba
Most cookie tins have relatively thin bottoms and I discovered that it's essential to adhere a thin piece of wood or plywood to the bottom to produce a good sound. The above design is burned and painted.