The Kantele is a plucked Psaltery from Finland. Though it only has 10 strings, you'll be surprised at the amount of music you can create. The tone has a sweet and evocative quality unlike any other instrument we offer.
You can start by just plucking simple melodies. Or you can learn how to play chords
The finished Kantele is built by the craftsmen at Musicmakers and comes ready to play. Just choose your rosette!
A very good instrument. Little problems with forte and mezzo-forte, but probably it is due to strings.
My wife's try: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D63aGY5oqtM
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no stranger to stringed instruments
Jerry Griffin
02/07/2021
Verified Buyer
beautiful resonance and sustain, clear, bell-like tones, beautifully put together, very nice wood, and a beautiful rosette. Packaged and shipped without hassle or incident, and superbly protected from shipping damage, and their customer service is great! We purchased 2 Kantele one each for my wife and one for me, on separate orders, Musicmakers called to make sure this was right, rather than just making and shipping them. And they're assembled beautifully-completely professional luthiers at MusicMakers! If the stars could make music, they'd sound like a kantele.
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Haunting Instrument
Becky Barnes
01/15/2021
Verified Buyer
I have wanted a kantele for years, and finally sprung to purchase Musicmakers' 10-string version. It was packaged very well, and shipped without damage. My cats were very interested in the unpacking process. The wood is beautiful, and sound is clear as a bell - both my daughter and I take turns playing it. You can see my unboxing video here: https://twitter.com/thewoodwyrm/status/1347171282802991104
The start of one of my favorite tunes from Loituma - “Eriskummainen Kantele” (whimsical kantele): https://twitter.com/thewoodwyrm/status/1347700633378451457
Or.... how about the ever-haunting “Far Over The Misty Mountains Cold” from the 1977 Hobbit?: https://twitter.com/thewoodwyrm/status/1347704823907540994
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Enthusiastic
Patti
02/27/2019
Verified Buyer
My Kantele delivered on everything promised in the description. Nicely crafted, Solid! Well-packed when shipped. I couldn’t ask for more. I’ve never played one before, so I’m just having a blast learning! I foresee a lot of potential with this instrument.
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Enchanting
Aaron
04/25/2018
Verified Buyer
I am VERY pleased with my purchase of my kantele! The caftsmanship is supurb and the sound is so so beautiful. Actually when I play it people tell me its "enchating". Its an easy instrument to learn and worth every penny I spent on it. I just wish I had found your company years ago when I first got into playing music. Also, your staff I found very friendly and knowlegable over the phone in helping me in choising the right instrument for me. I just love my kantele, and I can't keep from playing it! Thank you so much for everything!
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Thank you for a beautiful instrument.
Heather W.
04/25/2018
Verified Buyer
I received one of your beautiful 10-string kanteles back in December 2011 and I am absolutely loving it! I am giving a presentation tomorrow and performing for the first time on my kantele. I will definitely mention Musicmaker's Kits. I also ordered sheet music, extra strings, and a case from your company which I received quickly and in perfect condition. I love folk music from all over the world and it's incredible that you make and sell so many great instruments from different cultures. I will keep recommending your beautiful, affordable instruments to my friends who also enjoy playing. I'll keep in touch!
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Lovely
GB
04/25/2018
Verified Buyer
The new Kantele is lovely. Just what I'd hoped it would be - beautiful piece of mahogany and very pretty tone.
Tried it in a little recording with 12 string (slide) and some synth (a string quartet!). Rather a doleful piece but I like the timbre of the kantele with the 12 string.
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Impressive and Beautiful Instrument
Don Graff
04/25/2018
Verified Buyer
Hi, Matt!
I've watched your Kantele video so often, I feel I almost know you personally. Anyway, I received my Kantele last week, May 4, and it arrived in perfect condition. In unpacking it, I was at once impressed by the visual beauty of the instrument. With its' long, graceful line and gentle angle, it looks like a piece of modern sculpture, but still has an air of centuries about it. The mahogany and walnut woods are beautiful, and the snowflake rosette is just the perfect touch. All in all, my Kantele speaks quality and expert craftsmanship, and I am completely pleased and satisfied.
So, Matt, I would like to thank you and all the guys at MM for your kindness and good service.
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ready made kantele
michael katz
08/03/2017
Verified Buyer
beautiful to look at, well made and beautiful wood. Beautiful to play; it sounds so hauntingly mystical and actually far better than over your site. thank you.