Where to buy a good thumb piano?

[ordinary_monkey]

Anyone know a good place to buy a good thumb piano? It seems like there are a lot of places on the net selling ones that are basically toys - I'm looking for something to actually learn how to play and use on recordings.

Thanks -

D.

[rhythm ranch]

This place sells kits, semi-complete and finished thumb pianos.

Or, you can get fancy ones here.

[obermorph]

Hey!
LP has a fucking great one (actually a couple) They are unfortunatley not cheap (like $100). But let me tell you I have played alot of them, and I am jonesing for $100 bucks to get one. You can get them at Rythm Fusion off of pacific in Santa Cruz, CA.
Randy (aretoo)

[percussion boy]

You might also find Paul Berliner's book, THE SOUL OF MBIRA helpful. Among other good things, there are instructions in the back for making one from scratch.

[Brian Brock]

Real thumb pianos are very hard to come by. The 5 to 15 key ones you see are a world away from the huge two-level ones. Go to mbira.org to see one and to begin searching for one.

The make-it kit on one of the above links looked like it would have a pretty good tone.

[leigh]

There's some guy who makes electric thumb pianos for a decent price. Basically the tines are mounted on a flat board, like a breadboard, and there's a pickup mounted to it. I've seen them at Trade Up Music in Portland, OR - you could call and ask them, or stop by if you're in the area.

Leigh