InstrumentLIBRARY
Tunable 17-key Kalimba, a 3D-printed kalimba
Image: still from botto bie's YouTube video
Percussion · Kalimba

Tunable 17-key Kalimba

A fully printed kalimba whose plastic tines slide to tune

Designed by evilbotto, published on MakerWorld

MakerWorld Standard Digital File License No commercial use Build info 5/5

Licence verified on MakerWorld, 20 October 2026.

Get the files on MakerWorld ↗ Watch the video
Range
C3 to E5, 17 keys
Size
About 180 × 120 × 60 mm
Materials
PLA (the designer names specific black, white and green PLAs)
Difficulty
Medium; needs glue and patient tuning
On MakerWorld
866 likes · 905 downloads · 505 prints · 55 comments (as of 20 Oct 2026)

About the 17-key Kalimba

Kalimbas usually have steel tines. In this one every part is printed, including the 17 tines, which are plastic strips that slide in a printed bracket. Moving a tine in or out changes its vibrating length, and so its pitch, so you can tune the whole instrument with a tuner app. The range runs from C3 to E5, and the box underneath acts as the soundbox.

The design is laid out for neat assembly. Positioning pins line up the bracket with the upper soundbox while the glue sets, and the tines print with a brim that you keep on until you fit each one, so they stay straight and in order. Start with the long middle tine, the C, and work outwards. The tines aren't glued, because they have to slide for tuning.

Who it's for. Makers who'd like a pretty, gift-worthy instrument and are happy to spend time tuning. Plastic tines won't ring like steel. The designer's playing tip is to pluck gently, at a shallow angle, instead of pressing hard. Hear it in the video below.

Licence note. This model uses MakerWorld's Standard Digital File licence, so we link to its photos rather than copying them.

What you'll need

Printed parts

  • Tine bracket (17 holes)
  • Positioning pins
  • Upper and lower soundbox
  • 17 tines
  • Decorative 'KALIMBA 3D PRINT' plate

Bought parts

  • Glue (for the bracket, soundbox and plate; not for the tines)
  • Optional: double-sided tape for the decorative plate

Tools

  • Needle-nose pliers or a small flat screwdriver to seat the tines
  • A tuner or tuning app

Build overview

  1. Print everything. Leave the brim on the tines for now.
  2. Glue the soundbox. Push the positioning pins into the upper soundbox, glue the bracket on and align it, then glue the lower soundbox.
  3. Fit the tines. Snap each tine off the brim as you go, starting with the centre C. Engraved side up, curved end facing out, push the other end into the bracket.
  4. Tune. Pluck each tine with a tuner running and slide it until it hits its target note; the designer lists the frequencies.
  5. Finish. Fix the decorative plate with glue or tape.

Video

Play video: Full 3D print kalimba (loads YouTube)
Full 3D print kalimba, botto bie (the designer). Plays from youtube-nocookie.com after you click.

The videos don't load from YouTube until you press play. Video thumbnails are © their creators.

Photos

The MakerWorld licence (MakerWorld Standard Digital File License) doesn't allow rehosting, so the photos stay on MakerWorld. See them on MakerWorld ↗

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