We recommend using good quality headphones for all our sound grabs they’re recorded at high fidelity for your listening pleasure!
Need more info or guidance? Get in touch with our team for personalised advice. We’re known for our quick replies!
Product Specifications
Balafon are a wooden keyed percussive idiophone of West Africa. Balafon is a Manding name, but variations exist across West Africa, including the Balangi (Sierra Leone), Gyil (Dagara), Lobi and Gurunsi (Ghana, Burkina Faso and Côte d’Ivoire).
This professional quality Bobo Balafon is hand made by master artisans from individually tuned Khadi hardwood keys, Cow hide and Calabash.
Bobo balafon are distinctive with their large calabash resonators (compared to Guinea balafon). The design shapes upwards at the lower register (notes). Some calabash have thin paper covering small holes on the calabash to produce the buzzing vibration synonymous with the Bobo balafon sound.
The keys of the Balafon are tuned to each other in a pentatonic scale scale. It is the wood which set these bala apart – Khadi is premier wood used in making the world’s best Balafon. Below the key bed are calabash gourds which serve as resonators. Each gourd has a small hole with very thin paper (traditionally a thin membrane) over it, which creates the buzzing resonance that is so characteristic of West African music.
Shipping & Returns
We dispatch most orders on the same day and ship across Australia and worldwide. Metro deliveries in Australia usually arrive within 2–5 business days, and express options are available at checkout; regional and international timeframes depend on the destination. You’ll receive tracking details when your parcel is on its way.
Need to return your order? Let us know within seven days of delivery. Please keep the item unused and in its original condition. Full details are in our Shipping & Returns policy.
Reviews
FAQs
I’m not sure what to go for. Can you help me choose?
Absolutely! We love helping people find the right match, whether it’s an instrument, a class, or materials for drum making.
You’re welcome to email or call for personalised recommendations, or chat with our friendly team through the website during office hours.
If you’re after a djembe, we offer a popular service where we send you video options based on your preferences, so you can see and hear each one before deciding.
What is your return policy?
We want you to love what you receive. If there’s an issue with your order, we’ll do our best to make it right. To request a return, please contact us within 7 days of receiving your order.
Items must be unused and in original condition.
You can find the full details of our policy here, and you’re always welcome to reach out to our team with any questions.
How long does delivery take, and where do you ship?
We ship across Australia and internationally. Most orders are dispatched on the same day, so you can expect a quick turnaround.
Delivery to metro areas in Australia usually takes 2–5 business days, with regional areas taking a little longer. We also offer express shipping options if you need your order sooner.
For international orders, delivery times depend on your location and the shipping option you choose at checkout.
You’ll receive tracking details once your order is on its way. You can find more information on shipping timeframes and options here, or feel free to contact us for help estimating delivery to your area.
