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submitted 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) by bitsplease@lemmy.ml to c/woodworking@lemmy.ca

Was suggested to crosspost this here! Happy to see a woodworking community on Lemmy!

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[-] DavidP@toast.ooo 2 points 1 year ago

Wow! What are the resonation tubes made out of? Can you describe the process of tuning each key?

[-] bitsplease@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 year ago

The resonators are simple PVC piping of various diameters! Tuning those was dead simple, just cut a section out, put a cap on one end then bang it with a hammer to produce a tone, then just chop a bit off to raise the pitch,

For the keys it was a bit more complicated, I typed out a comment giving the basics and linking to the blog I used to figure it out though!

https://lemmy.ml/comment/503333

[-] quixotic120@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago

Thanks for this. I have an old busted premier marimba with fiberglass keys and a few are cracked. Maybe I’ll make a new set because the frame and resonators and still in decent shape. Although I am sure the tuning process was a nightmare!

How did you finish the keys?

[-] bitsplease@lemmy.ml 0 points 1 year ago

This old blog has all the info you'll need http://www.lafavre.us/tuning-marimba.htm

I used a bandsaw or router to cut out the rough arc, then a belt sander to fine tune

[-] quixotic120@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Oh thanks but I meant like did you stain them or use oil on them or whatever ha

[-] bitsplease@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Ah, I did a double coat of tung oil!

[-] tko@tkohhh.social 1 points 1 year ago

Gorgeous! How does it sound?

How difficult is tuning the keys?

this post was submitted on 09 Jun 2023
16 points (100.0% liked)

Woodworking

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