Kantele for a Begginer

[a55p2]

Hi,

I have listen to a lot of Nest recently and I think that the Kantele is a really great sounding instrument.I search for a begginer Kantele and I found the Koistinen Wing 10 that could be great.I want to know if anyone heard what it sounds like before.I like both clean and distortion sound and if the Wing 10 don't turn good I want to know how I could buy(or make) a Kantele that could have that sounds.I have no experience on construction but I could find someone that can built me one if I have a plan.

P.S:I want to thanks you for all the good song you made.I'm really into your and Agalloch music.I really,really like Kontio on the last album.Your song and John voice...Wow!!!

By the way I found that there is a guy from Rimouski in your forum and I want to say hello to him,I'm from Trois-Pistoles(really close to Rimouski).If you can send me your E-mail this would be great.

[Oakenpalace]

If I'm not wrong mr A.T uses the Wing 15 on the previous Nest albums, so I think they're pretty descent. If you want to build one, check this forum, there're some members who've build there own kantele.

[a55p2]

Ok but did I need the WING 10 magnetic microphone: 260 € / 213,10 € because I have already an Ampli.Because with the microphone the price is too high for how much I have.

If I only buy the Wing 10 could I play it on my ampli.

[atolonen]

Greetings.

Yes, I indeed used a Koistinen Wing 15 on every song of "Trail of the Unwary" and on about half of the songs on "Woodsmoke". Before that I had a cheap 10 stringed one by another maker, which interestingly enough ended up breaking in the middle of the Woodsmoke recording sessions. That's why I bought the Wing 15, and it has served me well ever since. It's an instrument of quality, and I think the wing 10 will be equally good.

If you want to get a natural acoustic sound via an instrument cable (that you can plug directly into your amp), I'd actually recommend you get the Wing 10 without any of the microphones pre-installed. Then you can buy a contact microphone like DiMarzio DP130 or AKG C 411 L. These attach to the body of a kantele (or a guitar, or any other acoustic instrument) with a sticky putty, and you can freely move them around to find the best sound. I've used both of these, and I can recommend them heartily. The DiMarzio is cheaper - it's a passive model (doesn't require a power source), and therefore easier to use. The AKG is a bit more expensive - it's an active model (needs a power source like batteries, phantom power, etc. from an external source). If you're a beginner with contact microphones, I'd recommend you start with the DiMarzio.

I'd advice against getting a magnetic microphone. It doesn't produce too natural an "acoustic" sound, although it's easier for distorted sounds. There's really no need to get a magnetic microphone unless you want to use only electric/distorted sounds. You can distort the "acoustic" sound from the contact microphones I mentioned above without problems too. I've done so on all of Nest's albums.

Here is also another good Kantele maker, who makes good instruments (you can get custom ones for cheap here): < www.kandlekoda.ee/indexen.htm >. A couple of my friends have their instruments, and I have only good things to say about them.