Ami Hugh Tracey KALIMBA TREBLE CELESTE 17 NOTES BOARD-RESONATOR + PICKUP

Historical Context and Positioning in the Range

The kalimba is the modern version of the mbira, an iconic instrument of African traditions. This model is part of the direct legacy of Hugh Tracey, an ethnomusicologist who helped popularize and develop these instruments, whose kalimbas have been manufactured since 1954 by AMI (African Musical Instrument). The Treble Celeste 17 notes is positioned as an expressive and precise kalimba, designed for those seeking a reliable, musical instrument that is ready to be amplified thanks to the integrated pickup.

Who This Instrument Is For

This kalimba suits beginners as well as intermediate and advanced musicians looking for a pure and inspiring timbre. The G Major tuning facilitates ease of play and encourages improvisation, ideal for acoustic music, soft pop, cinematic atmospheres, meditation, or vocal accompaniment. With its jack output, it is also an excellent choice for artists wishing to integrate the kalimba into a live set or studio recording.

Features and Innovations

The Treble Celeste adopts a board-resonator design that favors direct projection and quick response, while remaining lightweight and easy to hold. The integrated pickup allows convenient sound capture without an external microphone, useful for reducing ambient noise and increasing comfort on stage. The tuning can be adjusted by slightly moving the tines with the help of a tuner, with the recommendation not to exceed half a tone difference from the main tuning to preserve playing balance and instrument stability.

Sound Characteristics

Kiaat, an African hardwood, brings a sense of warmth and stability to the sound while maintaining good note-by-note definition. Combined with steel tines, it promotes a clear attack and excellent melody clarity, with controlled sustain that highlights repetitive patterns, arpeggios, and singing lines.

Acoustically, the kalimba offers a crystalline and "celestial" timbre, particularly suited to airy arrangements. Once plugged in via the 6.3 mm jack output, it gains presence in the mix and easily accommodates effects (reverb, delay) to expand the sound space. Note: the color of the tines may differ from the image, as each instrument has its own finish variations.

Technical specifications