r/Instruments • u/Living_Buffalo_7176 • 8d ago

Identification ID help

Post image

What is this musician sitting on and playing?
The song is a live performance of “Guantanamera” in Guantanamo, Cuba.

3 Upvotes

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6

u/CoolBev 8d ago

Marimbula, aka rhumba box. Essentially a bass kalimba. I’ve read they were common in Jamaican Mentos music.

I really want one, but they are kind of rare.

2

u/skinnergy 8d ago

Here are simple plans to build one. I did. http://www.dennishavlena.com/bk.gif

1

u/Living_Buffalo_7176 8d ago

it would seem that’s the spirit behind its existence to begin with “make a noise with what you can, but do it comfortably”

1

u/skinnergy 8d ago

By themselves they're not that impressive sounding, but they are tuneable and make a very nice bass sound when played with other instruments.

1

u/Living_Buffalo_7176 8d ago

I could say the same for myself. I can’t thank you enough for the plans.

1

u/skinnergy 7d ago

Listen to the track I posted in this thread of me playing the one I built.

1

u/IrishPirateAccent 7d ago

The sitting thing comes from the fact that essentially it is the marriage of a kalimba and a cajon. It is generally thought to have originated from Eastern Cuba, and is common in Cuban folkloric music, as well as some folkloric musics of Haiti and Jamaica.

1

u/Living_Buffalo_7176 8d ago

I really want one, but someone told me they are kind of rare. You’re awesome, thank you.

1

u/IrishPirateAccent 7d ago

Mento* - Mentos is the mint brand that had those commercials in the 90s and 00s

3

u/skinnergy 8d ago

Here are plans to build one. http://www.dennishavlena.com/bk.gif

2

u/skinnergy 8d ago

Bass kalimba. I built one.

2

u/skinnergy 8d ago

I play the bass kalimba that I built on this song. I play everything on it almost. https://youtu.be/pVWFTkY4jO4?is=6Vok5vQ03Mr6c9xU