Walnut Kalimba Necklace (Semi Acoustic)

Step 5 To Amp or not to Amp

It is here you must decide whether you want a LOUD necklace or delicate accoustic necklace.
Its quite easy to fit a piezo pickup if you have a soldering iron and the parts.
Just follow the first step of this Instructable
You only need the lead to be about 40mm long and a minijack (3.5mm)terminal will fit into the tiny walnut better than a giant 1/4inch one.

Pictured Kalimba is of Bamboo but procedure for walnut is the same.

The minijack terminal needs to be secured by drilling a hole through the walnut shell. The easiest place is at the "bottom" of the kalimba. The area that faces you as you play the instrument. Its better here so the terminal doesnt interfere with the bolts coming in through the topplate at the "top" of the kalimba. Things get tight in there when its all glued together.

After you have wired up the pickup and tested it you can screw down/in the terminal.

Now is also a good time to fit your necklace. We use leather but you can use nylon, cord or chain. Drill two holes through the walnut shell at the top and pass your necklace through.