Ami Hugh Tracey KALIMBA TRADEMARK ALTO CELESTE 15 NOTES BOARD-RESONATOR + PICKUP
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Manufacturer Information
Ami Hugh Tracey
https://www.kalimba.co.za
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Safety manager:
VBV International
Email: info@vbvinternational.com
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Historical Context and Positioning in the Range
The kalimba is the modern version of the traditional African mbira. This model is directly part of the legacy of Hugh Tracey, an ethnomusicologist renowned for his work on Central and South African music, who developed and popularized the kalimba. Since 1954, manufacturing has been carried out by AMI (African Musical Instrument), the company founded by Hugh Tracey and his son, placing this "Trademark Alto Celeste" among the historical references of the kalimba: an authentic approach designed for musicality, tuning accuracy, and durability.
Who This Instrument Is For
This 15-note kalimba is suitable both for beginners seeking an easy-to-play instrument and for intermediate musicians looking for a reliable and expressive kalimba. The G Major tuning facilitates improvisation and "intuitive" playing while remaining relevant for more structured arrangements. Style-wise, it fits perfectly with world, folk, meditative music, sound design, as well as studio layering thanks to its soft and percussive signature.
Features and Innovations
The Hugh Tracey Trademark Alto Celeste combines a Trademark-shaped Kiaat soundboard with 15 steel tines for precise touch and good tuning stability. Its major asset for modern use is the integrated microphone/pickup with 6.3mm jack output : you can plug it directly into an amplifier, mixing console, or audio interface to increase presence, control volume, and process the sound (reverb, delay, modulation). Note: the color of the tines may differ from the image without affecting performance or tuning.
Sound
Kiaat, an African hardwood, generally provides a warm and balanced response with good note clarity. On a "board-resonator" type kalimba, the sound remains direct and percussive, which enhances the articulation of patterns and arpeggios while maintaining a pleasant softness when played lightly.
The steel tines contribute to a clear attack and controlled sustain, delivering the characteristic crystalline timbre of the kalimba. Amplified via the pickup, the kalimba gains definition and projection, making it practical for blending into a mix, supporting vocals, or interacting with other acoustic instruments without being overshadowed.
Technical specifications
| Electroacoustic | Yes |
| Number of blades | 15 |
| Category | kalimba |
| Type | kalimba |
| Material | Teak |
| Color | Brown |
| Model | Hugh Tracey Kalimba Trademark Alto Celeste 15 Notes Board-Resonator + Pickup |
| Tuning | standard G Major |
| Adjustable tuning | yes, by slightly moving the tines and using a tuner |
| Recommended modification | do not exceed a half-step from the main tuning |
| Body | Trademark-shaped soundboard in Kiaat (African hardwood) |
| Tines | 15 steel tines |
| Manufacture | handmade |
| Country of manufacture | South Africa |
| Note | tine color may vary from the image |
| Microphone/pickup | integrated |
| Output | 6.3mm jack |
| Dimensions | 18.5 x 15 x 1.8 cm |
Questions frequently asked
Is the Hugh Tracey Alto Celeste kalimba amplifiable?
An integrated pickup and a 6.3 mm jack output allow connection to an amplifier, mixer, or audio interface. The signal can then be processed with effects such as reverb or delay.
What is the tuning of this 15-note kalimba?
The standard tuning is G Major, on 15 steel tines. This setup facilitates improvisation and melodic patterns.
Can the tuning of the tines be modified?
It is possible to adjust the tuning by slightly moving the tines with the help of a tuner. The recommended adjustment does not exceed a half-step around the main tuning. The tines are tuned by craftsmen.
Is this kalimba suitable for beginners?
This model is suitable for beginners as well as intermediate players due to its G Major tuning and 15 notes. Its board-resonator design provides a direct response, useful for articulating arpeggios and patterns.
What woods and dimensions are used for the Alto Celeste kalimba?
The Trademark soundboard is made of Kiaat, a hard African wood, and measures 18.5 × 15 × 1.8 cm. It is handmade in South Africa.
