Paloma Large
The shrutibox Paloma large is a heavier box with a particularly balanced, warm, full sound and unmatched dynamic range. The unique bamboo look, silk mat surfaces and fine workmanship make this a truly exquisite instrument.
The large frame provides a much larger bellows volume as compared to smaller models, which permits an accurate dosing of air supply. Triple bellows on both sides give it an even bigger bellows volume than the large shrutibox from Monoj Kumar Sardar. In this way, the sound can be kept constant without any effort or prior practice even when up to four notes are played simultaneously. Moreover, the volume can be varied wider and finer than in any other of our shrutiboxes from whispering tender and low to constantly powerful loud. The larger resonating chamber provides for a somewhat fuller overall sound. Despite its larger dimensions and heaviness, Paloma's shrutibox large can still be taken around easily. Only if you have to carry a lot of other stuff and if you are travelling by public transport or by foot, shape and weight might become inconvenient.
Sound sample Paloma large
- octave in C major scale
- three-note chord C-G-E
13 chromatically tuned notes from c to c' (C3 to C4 in scientific terms); completely made of solid teak wood; surfaces with silk mat varnish; valves and latch made of solid teak wood as well; valves with leather blockings; bellows made of cardboard with leather valves; return spring for bellows; including sturdy bag with shoulder strap.
Paloma is the international brand name for instruments made by Haribhau Vishwanath from Mumbai (formerly Bombay). Haribhau Vishwanath was founded in 1925 as a small repair business and developed into one of the leading Indian harmonium manufacturers in the course of decades. In addition, Haribhau Vishwanath makes shrutiboxes, santoors, swarmandals and some drums. Haribhau Vishwanath is also an active musical instrument trader and supplies us with some rarely demanded instruments where a direct purchase from the manufacturer is not profitable. Thanks to his good infrastructure and long experience with instrument manufacturing, trading and international shipping, Haribhau currently supplies all common harmonium models and many other instruments constantly in a high quality regarding workmanship. In addition, he excels through attractive innovations, like e.g. the harmonium Compactina or a particular silk-mat finish. Haribhau Vishwanath is a partner of India Instruments since 2005. Today the company is run by Ashish Diwane.
This shrutibox model has 13 chromatic notes from c to c' (C3 to C4 in scientific terms). Each of the twelve halftones occurs at least once in this range. To achieve a full sound, an additional fifth or fourth up or down can be played together with each note, offering multiple possibilities of tonics and harmonies.
In India, this shrutibox model is tuned in equal temperament to Western standard pitch with a = 440 hertz. However, due to lower average air temperatures, it may sound slightly higher at a = 441 to 442 hertz in Europe. The difference is so small, that even trained ears do not necessarily notice it. Nevertheless the difference may create problems in studio productions or when playing together with instruments with a tuning that can not easily be adjusted. Therefore we offer manual tuning to a = 440 hertz (or any other reference pitch close to that) on request. We can also supply custom-made shrutiboxes with considerably different tunings (e.g. a = 432 hertz) and ranges. Please contact us if you're interested in that.
Measure: 40.5 x 30.5 x 6.5 cm, weight: 3.3 kg
Each instrument is individually hand-crafted and might differ from our description.