FAQ

440 Hz / 432 Hz: In music, frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz) and determines how many times a sound wave cycle is repeated per second. The higher the frequency, the higher the note sounds, and the lower the frequency, the lower the note sounds. 440 Hz or 432 Hz refer to the A above middle C on a piano keyboard. The A in Western music is tuned to 440 vibrations per second. In the 432 Hz tuning, the A is tuned a little lower, i.e. reduced in vibrations (to 432 vibrations per second). Ultimately, the choice between 440 Hz and 432 Hz is a personal preference and both tunings have their place in the world of music. We offer the 432 Hz tunings (special tunings) in our "Instruments in 432 Hz" section.

A minor factory tuning - Twice the same A ( a' ) in the A minor factory tuning: A special feature of our A minor factory tuning is, in addition to the always harmonious sound, that the middle A (a') is mounted twice on the instrument (from the left - first and fourth note). The presence of the two notes supports smoother and faster playing and the overall sound of the instrument becomes richer in overtones. If you play one A (a'), the second A (a') in the same octave automatically vibrates and thereby produces the spherical, overtone-rich sound. The factory tuning: A minor ( a' - c'' - c' - a' - a - f' - e' - e'' - h')

B-stock instruments: The B-stock kalimbas are sound-perfect and have been classified as B-stock for aesthetic reasons only. This means that they may have small scratches, color defects or other slight defects that do not affect the sound quality. Each kalimba has been carefully checked and tested to ensure that it meets our high standards.

Disinfecting instruments: Neither the calfskin membrane of the Sansula Deluxe nor the cellulose membrane of the Sansula Basic are suitable for rubbing with disinfectant. The disinfectant can cause lasting damage to the membrane or even destroy it. If disinfection is necessary, we recommend our Sansula Renaissance model, which is covered with a REMO drum skin on plastic.

Electric Kalimba - Cable for the models: A 6.35mm mono instrument cable is sufficient.

Electric Kalimba models: For our Kalimba electric models we use a piezo pickup, which allows direct sound pickup on the instrument via a 6.35 mm jack socket built into the body, without the need for an additional microphone.

HOKEMA - The family business: HOKEMA has stood for high-quality musical instruments since 1985. In the small town of Walsrode in Lower Saxony, the company develops and produces unique sound wonders: Kalimba and Sansula.

The founder and inventor Peter Hokema tried out different instruments with passion during his music studies. He discovered the traditional African plucked instruments. The breakthrough came in 2001 when Peter Hokema invented the Sansula. An oval wooden frame covered with a membrane, in the middle of which a small kalimba is mounted so that it swings freely. The sounds were immediately impressive and a patent was applied for for the instrument. Today, the second-generation family business is one of the world's leading manufacturers of beautiful, easy-to-play kalimbas in various models.

HOKEMA - Instruments for children: Due to their size, the Kalimba B5 and Kalimba B9 are particularly suitable for small children's hands. The first introduction to music. When the children have outgrown the harmonious "tinkle" they can use the Kalimba B11 , Kalimba B17 mini and Kalimba B17 with the corresponding children's textbooks for learning songs for the first time.

HOKEMA - Sustainability: We are constantly working to ensure that our instruments are produced as sustainably as possible. Regional suppliers, plastic-free and recyclable product and shipping packaging, GoGreen shipping, etc. For example, the wood of the "American cherry" comes from sustainable plantations and is free of tropical wood, or for the Sansula Deluxe calfskin membrane, no animals have to die just for the skin, but it is a by-product of meat production. Last but not least, the electricity for our machines has come from our own photovoltaic system on the roof of our production facility in Walsrode / Lower Saxony since 2013.

HOKEMA - Production facility: Our instruments are made by hand using high-quality materials exclusively in our production facility in Walsrode / Lower Saxony and with German suppliers. This means that the HOKEMA Kalimba instruments are 100% "Made in Germany".

HOKEMA - lots of handwork: At HOKEMA, craftsmanship and handwork are very important. Our instruments are built in many different steps and with a lot of handwork. More than 25 different work steps are not uncommon for the Kalimba and Sansula. From cutting and trimming the raw wood, to the fine sanding, oiling and waxing, to assembling the reeds, tuning and packaging, there is so much handwork and love in every step of the process, which you can hear in the instruments at the end.

HOKEMA - Worldwide: So far we have shipped our instruments to over 70 countries, or 6 out of 7 continents (we are currently working hard on Antarctica 😉). Our Kalimba and Sansula models are played in Chile, Norway, South Africa, Lichtenstein, India and New Zealand, among others.

Wood - the body for the Kalimba and Sansula models: The body of our Kalimba and Sansula models is made of solid American cherry. The wood varies in color from reddish brown to pale pink to pale yellow. In addition to the visually very appealing fine grain, the wood has perfect tonal properties for our instruments.

Wood - the frame of the Sansula models: The frame of our Sansula models is made of European beech.

Wood - oil and wax: Our instruments are only treated and finished with linseed oil and natural waxes.

Intuitively playable instruments: The factory tuning of our intuitively playable instruments is designed in such a way that you can't actually play any off-key harmonies. The tone of each reed in the A minor factory tuning is perfectly coordinated so that only pleasant melodies can be coaxed from the instrument. You just need to let your fingers run and it sounds pure and harmonious. All 9-tone instruments in the factory tuning in A minor can be played intuitively.

Tongues: Our tones are made of spring steel, as spring steel has the best sound properties (in contrast to, for example, tongues made of stainless steel). However, as spring steel is not rustproof, our tones are given a special coating that prevents corrosion. Another advantage of spring steel over stainless steel is that, in addition to the perfect sound properties, spring steel is also magnetic. To support the Kalimba B15 , Kalimba B17 mini and Kalimba B17 models, as well as the two children's textbooks " Textbook for Kids - 11 Notes (green) " and " Textbook for Kids - 17 Notes (orange) ", we supply small colored magnets for marking chords/notes.

 

Reeds - tarnished or corroded: Unfortunately, it can happen that reeds tarnish or corrode. This happens when the special coating is damaged or no longer present. This is irreparable and cannot be reversed. Normally, this has no significant effect on the sound, but is only a visual impairment. However, you have the option of ordering a new set of reeds or having us install them. Please go to our service point " Repair ", where you will find help.

 

Tongue - sounds dull: This is the result when the tongue gets stuck. Either mechanically due to dirt, a grain of dust or sand, or due to a liquid. Mechanical jamming (dust-sand) can usually be remedied by moving the tongue slightly. This means: take the lower part (the part that is plucked with the fingers) of the tongue between two fingers and push it slightly to the left and right. This creates a diagonal movement for the tongue (the center of the movement is the fixation point on the bridge). IMPORTANT: The screws must not be loosened. If you have carefully moved the tongue 2-3 times to the left and right, the problem is usually already solved. If the problem persists or liquid has run under the tongue and the bonding prevents it from vibrating freely, the instrument should be sent in for cleaning/repair. Please go to our service point " Repair ", where you will find help.

Sound tongues - material & allergies: Our sound tongues are made of spring steel, as spring steel has the best sound properties (in contrast to, for example, tongues made of stainless steel). Another very big advantage over stainless steel tongues is that allergy-promoting metals such as chrome and nickel are only added in very small doses.

	chrome	nickel
the spring steel we use	0.40%	0.40%
the most commonly used stainless steel 18/10	17.5% - 19.5%	8.0% - 10.5%

Reeds - Buying new ones: You have the option of ordering a new set of reeds or having us install them for you. Please go to our service point " Repair " where you will find help.

Reeds - Care: The special coating on our reeds can be damaged over time by sweat (regardless of whether the hands are wet or dry). Therefore, the reeds should be rubbed lightly with a dry cotton cloth after each play so that no fingerprints are visible. This process is accelerated by moisture/humidity. It is important that you use a cotton cloth and not a microfiber cloth. Using a microfiber cloth will wear away the special coating a little more each time you clean it and thus destroy it.

Reeds - different colors: It can happen that our specially coated reeds have slightly different colors. This is not a defect or a sign of poor quality, but is due to the coating and finishing process.

Melody instruments: The melody instruments are designed to be used to play or accompany songs. Their factory tuning in G major ( Kalimba B11 , Kalimba B15 , the Sansula Basic Melody and the Sansula Renaissance Melody models) or C major ( Kalimba B17 mini and Kalimba B17 ) allows you to play many pieces across genres.

 

Membrane - Calfskin - Sansula Deluxe Model: The calfskin of the Sansula Deluxe has excellent sound properties. It gives the Sansula a very overtone-rich, warm and voluminous sound. The membrane is very robust and can be easily tightened/relaxed in the event of humidity and temperature fluctuations thanks to the tensioning device built into the frame. However, this is usually not necessary or only very rarely and should only be done with extreme caution. Please follow the Sansula Deluxe "Re-tightening the skin" instructions. Since the Sansula frame is completely covered by the calfskin, the feel is particularly noteworthy.

 

Membrane - Calfskin - Sansula Deluxe model - Re-tensioning: Re-tensioning the membrane on the Sansula Deluxe is only necessary in exceptional cases, and may not be necessary at all . So only do this if it is absolutely necessary (if, for example, the sound is negatively affected by the membrane tension). Use the Allen key included in the delivery for this.

The clamping process in detail:

Before the screws on the underside of the instrument can be tightened, all 6 screws must first be loosened (anti-clockwise). After the screws have been loosened, the screws must be tightened slightly in the order numbered in the picture, so that the screws grip and a slight resistance can be felt. Only then can you begin the actual tightening process. Now tighten the screws in the order numbered in the picture by 1/8 of a turn clockwise. Make sure that the gap between the two frame parts is always evenly open throughout the entire tightening process. Now test the sound. If the sound is not yet optimal, tighten the screws another 1/8 of a turn clockwise in the order numbered in the picture. The sound must be checked after each tightening. The basic rule is: only tighten the membrane as little as necessary. Incorrect or excessive tightening can cause the membrane to slip off the frame. If this happens, the instrument can be damaged.

Membrane - plastic - Sansula Renaissance model: The plastic membrane of the Sansula Renaissance models comes from the company REMO. The company REMO is one of the largest and most popular drum skin manufacturers in the world. The plastic membrane has very good sound properties and is also extremely robust. Regardless of whether you are a little inexperienced with the instrument or children's hands are involved, the membrane is very forgiving. Even high humidity is not a problem for this model. The Renaissance models are the Sansula models most often used in kindergartens and schools.

Membrane - differences: Our Sansula models are available in three membrane versions. The Sansula Basic model has a cellulose membrane, the Sansula Renaissance model has a plastic membrane (REMO drum head) and the Sansula Deluxe model is covered with calfskin. Each of the three versions has its own special features. You can find out more about the special features in the individual membrane explanations.

Membrane - Cellulose - Sansula Basic Model: The cellulose membrane of the Sansula Basic models has excellent sound properties. It gives the instrument a rich, soft and spherical sound. However, in contrast to the plastic and calfskin variants, it is more sensitive. Cellulose = paper

Therefore, you have to be a little more careful when handling it than with the other Sansula models. Careless playing on the Sansula (e.g. forceful slipping with sharp fingernails), dropping it or putting the instrument down too roughly can damage the membrane and thus destroy it. Of course, a " repair " is possible in our workshop. The cellulose membrane also reacts more quickly to larger fluctuations in air humidity and moisture than the other membrane variants.

 

Repairing a Sansula Basic: Yes, repairs are possible. There are two types of repair. The first option is to restore the cellulose membrane and the second option is to install a plastic membrane (REMO drum head as on the Sansula Renaissance - which is much more stable). No matter which option you choose, you will get a new and immediately usable musical instrument back. In addition to the membrane, a new sound block and a new set of reeds will also be installed. Please go to our service point " Repair ", where you will find help.

Repair: Unfortunately, as with any other musical instrument, it can happen that you carelessly bump into a HOKEMA Kalimba & Sansula, drop it or leave it unattended in the hands of children. The instrument may have sustained damage as a result. Membrane torn, reeds bent or fallen out, instrument out of tune. We have a solution for almost everything and can repair, tune or replace it. Please go to our " Repair " service point, where you will find help.

Sansula & Sansula Melody - Difference: The difference between these two Sansula variants is quickly explained. The Sansula models are 9-tone instruments that are tuned in the factory tuning of A minor. The Sansula Melody models are 11-tone instruments that are tuned in the factory tuning of G major. The 9-tone instruments in A minor are ideal for intuitive playing. The always harmonious A minor tuning makes it easy to coax pleasant melodies out of the instrument. The 11-tone "Melody" instruments are (as the name suggests) designed so that you can play many well-known songs and melodies. So you have to decide before you buy whether you want to play intuitively or songs.

Special tuning: In addition to the Kalimba-specific factory tuning, all of our instruments are also available in other tunings (special tunings). We offer these in our “ Special tunings 440 Hz ” section or, for instruments tuned to 432 Hz, in our “ Special tunings 432 Hz ” section.

Tuning and retuning: HOKEMA instruments do not normally go out of tune when you play them. However, you can change the tuning or retune them by tapping the respective reed with our tuning iron and a light (50g) hammer so that its vibrating part becomes longer (i.e. the tone becomes lower) or shorter (i.e. the tone becomes higher). A chromatic tuner (e.g. KORG CA50 ) also helps with determining the exact pitch. IMPORTANT: When tuning, the two screws on the bridge must not be loosened. If you do not feel confident about tuning or retuning yourself, you can send us your instrument with your retuning request and we will be happy to do it for you. To do this, please go to our Repairs section.