Retail price: €210

The Sansula – a patented invention from HOKEMA – is a novel development of the Kalimba (also called Sansa or Mbira), which originated in southern Africa. Kalimbas are reed instruments played with the thumbs or fingers. In Africa, they come in countless shapes and designs, each amplifying the reed's vibration in various ways (e.g., on a soundbox, a hollow body like a gourd, or simply a piece of solid wood). With the Sansula, the reed's vibration is first "stored" in a wooden block, which then transmits it to a sound membrane. This allows the sound to sustain for much longer than with other amplification methods. Further enhanced by the tuning – with octaves close together – this creates a wonderfully soft, rich, and resonant sound that is easily produced.
The Sansula Deluxe is an evolution of our Sansula base model. Responding to numerous customer requests, we have equipped it with a durable natural calfskin membrane and a tensioning device. These modifications make the instrument even more versatile. As a product made with components from natural materials, each Deluxe model we ship is unique, distinguished by its even fuller and warmer sound, as well as its robust construction. While the Sansula base model is too delicate for use by young children, the Sansula Deluxe can now be used in kindergartens and music schools without the risk of damage. Of course, the Sansula Deluxe still requires the careful handling that is customary and appropriate for any musical instrument.

Tuning: A minor 432 Hz ( a' - c'' - c' - a' - a - f' - e' - e'' - h' )

Body: Made of solid American cherry wood
Frame: Made of European beech
Membrane: Made from calfskin
Dimensions: 198 x 155 x 67 mm
Weight: ≈ 415 g
Packaging dimensions: 270 x 213 x 79 mm
Weight including packaging: ≈ 675 g