Elemental Design
Stone Marimbas (Lithophones):
Stonaphone
HEAR STONAPHONE////PLAY VIRTUAL
STONAPHONE
See/Hear
one played on Youtube
Stone's inherently low vibration gives it an unusual timbre not
found in other marimbas. The lowest notes are gutsy and rich in
overtones, the higher notes are sharp and clear, while all are
surprisingly resonant.
I use recycled ~1/4" roofing slate for the keys, and oak
or for the bases. Stonaphones are available in several pitch ranges-
please call for specifics and availability. Some of these lithophones
can be made to either lay flat or hang vertically to save space.
Pentatonic (8 keys, 31" long).....$185
Diatonic (10 keys, 38" long).....$205
2 Octave Chromatic Big!, Set up like marimba, 2 bases,
2 full octaves (~55" long)....$565
Other sizes and tunings are available.
2 Octave Chromatic Stonaphone
3 Octave Chromatic Stonaphone
The three octave version is a little more than 7 feet
long. This one has the lower octave separate from the upper two
for easier storing and moving around. The low end is particularly
thin and needs to be played softly. Also the tone on the lower
end doesn't ring as clear as the middle of the instrument due
to overtones. One like this costs $845.
Stonaphonino
The keys are fewer than the full sized version.
But the sound is just as sweet and rich.
Pentatonic (6 keys, 21" long).....$155
Other sizes and tunings available.
Mama Stonaphone
Hear Mama Stonaphone mp3
The keys are made from "Black Galaxy" granite, recycled
from 1 1/8" thick counter top leftovers. The tops are polished
with bright copper specks scattered brightly throughout. The sound
is very surprisingly resonant, bright and clear.
The Lithophone pictured is pentatonically tuned for outside
use with attached mallets (made for a playground) and played on
the ends of the keys. Indoor options and loose, round headed mallets
are also available. Can be custom made in a wide variety of tunings
and mountings.
Pictured is one of the more expensive mountings which goes for
$1,400.
Approximately 36" wide by 30" long with 8 keys.
Other Stone: I've also been experimenting
successfully with soap-stone marimbas and other forms of lithophones.
I can adapt any of these Stonaphones into outdoor instruments
for your garden or patio.
.
This Mongo Stonaphone above was made for the National Children's
Museum of Jordan.
The tuned Lithophone below was made for the Long Island Children's
Museum. See children's
museum page for description of either.
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xylojim@tidewater.net
Jim Doble, owner
Elemental Design
PO Box 565
Union, Maine 04862
USA
(207)785-2212