Currently Available Array Mbiras

African Sapele - Five Octave - $2400

This 5 octave model is made with an exceptionally fine piece of African Sapele. Sapele is usually very straight grained and even toned, however, this piece has a very interesting curving grain pattern and a strong contrast between medium brown tones and very dark grain patterns. The top and bottom are made from Royal mahogany and it has 2 wooden inlaid borders on the face. It has a rich warm tone with good balance between the highs and lows.

Includes 2 channel stereo piezo cable pickup system

Light Mahogany - Four Octave - $1950

This 4 octave model is made from a very nice piece of fiddle back American maple on the sides and ends with the addition of Peruvian walnut on the end panels. The top and bottom are also very light in color and are made with a very light piece of mahogany. The 2 inlaid wooden strips on the face are medium brown with blonde squares and diamonds. This instrument has a slightly softer tone with a medium long sustain level and is very well suited to fast melodies and poly tempo patterns.

Includes 2 channel stereo piezo cable pickup system

Australian Lacewood - Four Octave - $1850

Made from very exotic Australian lacewood. The top and bottom are made from Africa sapele (similar to mahogony). The end panels are made from a combination of African sapele and Australian lacewood. It's very crisp and clear in the mid range with medium to long sustain and a little softer in the high and low end with shorter sustain.

Includes 2 channel stereo piezo cable pickup system

American Cherry - Three Octave - $1250

Made from a very fine piece of 1/2" wavy American cherry and has royal mahogony top and bottom panels. This one is unusual because it has been fitted with the lowest 3 octaves instead of the 3 highest. It has very deep bass and long sustain and slightly percusiive mid tones.

Includes 2 channel stereo piezo cable pickup system

Maple & Purple- Two Octave - $750

Maple and mahogony construction, with red cross bars and a purple finish. Great for shows, lightweight, and a beautiful crisp sound.

Includes 2 channel stereo piezo cable pickup system


Array Mbiras Available for Backorder
(Please Allow 4-6 Weeks For Manufacturing. We require a 50% deposit to begin backorder.)

American Cherry - Five Octave - $2350
(Deposit $1150 to begin backorder use paypal link below, Shipping will be added on completion Approx $150)

Made from an extra fine piece of wavy American cherry wood. The sides and end panels are a full 3/4" thick which gives this instrument a very sturdy and solid feel. The top and bottom panels are made from royal mahogony and it has 2 ornate inlaid strips on the face. This instrument has very clear tones in every range and very long sustain.

Includes 2 channel stereo piezo cable pickup system

Zebra Wood - Four Octave - $1850
(Deposit $900 to begin backorder use paypal link below, Shipping will be added on completion Approx $100)

Made from 3/4" thick zebra wood (zebrano) The top and bottom panels which have been finished in black lacquer are made from sapele (similar to mahogony) It has a very even sound and low sustain which is ideal for a more percussive playing
style.

Includes 2 channel stereo piezo cable pickup system

African Paduck - Four Octave - $1900
(Deposit $950 to begin backorder use paypal link below, Shipping will be added on completion Approx $100)

Made from African paduk and is deeper than our standard 4 octave model. Paduk is a very hard wood and has a natural deep red color. The top and bottom panels are royal mahogony. It's bright and clear sounding in every range and has medium length sustain.

Includes 2 channel stereo piezo cable pickup system

Royal Mahogany - Four Octave - $2100
(Deposit $1050 to begin backorder use paypal link below, Shipping will be added on completion Approx $100)

This 4 octave model not only looks fantastic but has a very rich and bright tone with long sustain. This is one of our most exceptional instruments, made from African paduk on the sides and ends and Royal mahogany on the top and bottom. It has 2 inlaid wooden borders on the face and an interesting round fan style wooden inlay in the center of the face.

Includes 2 channel stereo piezo cable pickup system

South American Mahogany - Four Octave - $1800
(Deposit $900 to begin backorder use paypal link below, Shipping will be added on completion Approx $100)

This 4 octave model is made with an unusual South American mahogany, very golden brown in color with some interesting curly grain patterns and several small worm holes. The top and bottom are made with a very grainy mahogany which was sealed with an epoxy coating. It has a very bright sound with a medium+ sustain level.

Includes 2 channel stereo piezo cable pickup system

Hawaiin Koa - Three Octave
(Deposit $750 to begin backorder use paypal link below, Shipping will be added on completion Approx $75)

Made from very rare Hawiian koa. The top and bottom panels are royal mahogony which is finished in black lacquer. The end panels are a combination of black lacquer on maple and koa. This instrument is very crisp and clear in all octaves and has a long sustain. This is an exceptionally good sounding instrument.

Includes 2 channel stereo piezo cable pickup system


Australian Lacewood - Three Octave - $1400
(Deposit $700 to begin backorder use paypal link below, Shipping will be added on completion Approx $75)

This 3 octave model has Australian lacewood sides and ends and Royal mahogany on the top and bottom with 2 inlaid wood borders on the face. The tone is very even between the highs and lows and it has a medium sustain.

Includes 2 channel stereo piezo cable pickup system

Mbira Sizing & Custom Options (Please contact us to discuss a custom instrument.)

Model Dimensions # of keys Pricing
Two-octaves 11" x 15" x 3.5" 60 $600 & up
Three-octaves 13" x 19" x 4" 90 $1,000 & up
Four-octaves 17" x 26" x 5" 120 $1,500 & up
Five-octaves 22" x 31" x 7" 150 $2,000 & up

Custom Built Array Mbiras
Allowing customers to choose not only size, but type of wood, inlay material and finish.

Amplification
Any Array Mbira can be ordered with our exclusive stereo piezo cable pickup system. Placed under the entire length of the key assembly to reproduce sound very accurately. We use 2 pickups for a stereo system with two 1/4" output jacks. Installed $250.

Custom Built Travel Cases
$250 TO $450 depending on size and features. These high quality custom made cases are available with several features including handle style and castors for easy rolling. See Image

Shipping Information

All prices for shipping are for Continental US only. For Alaska/Hawaii or International please contact us before placing an order to get a quote.

 

Custom Built Mbiras/Cases

Please see bottom of page for sizing and price details and then contact us for a quote on your one of a kind masterpiece.

 

Carved End Panels

If your thinking about a custom Mbira, don't forget to check out our hand carved end panels made on a recent trip we took to Bali, Indonesia. (only available for 4 Octave Models)