Nº 001 — Sanskulla

Classification

A sansula — a kalimba variant using a resonance body — built on an autopsy-cut human skull top, formally known as a calvaria. Most people call it a human soup bowl. Both descriptions are technically accurate.

Construction

The corpus is solid American cherry wood, CNC-milled from a 3D scan of the skull's surface topography. This produces an exact-fit cradle that channels vibrations from the tines into the bone. Felt and a polymer adhesive sit between the two layers to cancel rough vibrations.

No bone was cut, drilled, or modified. The skull remains fully intact. The 3D scanning and CNC process exists specifically to avoid that.

Material: tines

Spring steel. High-carbon, chosen for its yield strength — it returns to its original form after being displaced. Nine tines tuned to A minor (a' – c'' – c' – a' – a – f' – e' – e'' – b'), with additional tines at B and F. All notes harmonize.

Whether you believe that is your concern.

Resonance behavior

The calvaria acts as a resonance dish, amplifying the tine vibrations and converting the full assembly into a vibrating instrument. When tilted during play, sound waves are interrupted and decelerated, producing a cyclical modulation — a wah effect, in practical terms.

Nothing creates more resonance than playing with your own head.