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Lemmy doesn't seem to have any popular woodworking subreddits, so I thought I'd post here. Just deleted my reddit account and want to contribute some content here!
this post was submitted on 09 Jun 2023
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Do It Yourself
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So each of the keys is cut to specific dimensions (I just stole these from an existing Marimba) where deeper keys are larger and higher keys shorter, then you cut an arch into the bottom of the key. The arch is where the real tuning comes from, the size of the key just gets you into the general neighborhood.
Each key has 1 primary tone and 2 overtones (actually way more, but these are the 3 that the human ear can actually pick up on), and each of the tones is tuned by specific regions of the arch, so if you trim material from the center for instance, it will affect the primary tone. I tuned my marimba so that the 2 overtones were the fourth harmonic and the tenth harmonic, which is standard for marimbas, and is what gives it it's unique deep sound.
The tubes are called resonators - they're sort of natural amplifiers, without them, the whole thing sounds like you're just smacking wooden blocks (which you are, to be fair), but with them you get a very powerful, room filling sound. Each one is "tuned" to the resonance of the key it sits under!
If you're interested in the specifics this is the blog I used to learn the process http://www.lafavre.us/tuning-marimba.htm
Thanks for all the great details and the link! I imagine tuning must be a bit nerve wracking and involve lots of constant testing, since carving the wood down is pretty irreversible.
Yeah it was definetely a bit stressful at times, thankfully you can only ever screw up one key at a time though! And there's a bit of correction to be done by trimming the edges off the key