How To Make A Xylophone – Homemade Xylophone Guide

Hi all, Jeremy here,

If you’re wondering how to make a xylophone then this will help. After all a xylophone is no piano! It’s not as complex, and the parts are more commercially available compared to some other musical instruments. So you will be able to make it fairly easily at home following Jim’s plans, which you can get by clicking here.

Why am I telling you this? Am I some anti-Yamaha activist (or whoever the major xylophone makers are)? NO!
I’m just really into woodworking, and my brother-in-law is a musician. In fact, this site started when he asked me to write about his experience trying to buy a used marimba (he ended up making it instead using Jim’s plans, that’s how I discovered them). So I continue posting everything music-instrument related here. The 11 note xylophone I made was a real joy to do, and even more fun to play (it became a present for Mike’s 2 year old).

A homemade xylophone will look very much like the one that’s store bought, and you yourself may even choose to sell it for a few grand by the way. If you’re wondering about any special tools, then don’t worry. I’m in no way a woodworking fanatic, and if I can build it following a do-it-yourself guide, then I’m sure so can you.

Maybe the biggest challenge you will have will be finding the proper wood, but if there is a hardwood flooring manufacturer or Rona or Home Depot near you,you may bypass those difficulties. Basically, if you know what you’re doing, you’ll have a homemade xylophone in about a week or two.

In fact, while a xylophone is not that hard to make, it’s incredibly hard to find a good guide. Luckily I had previously came across very detailed instructional ebook and videos for a 5 to 4 octave marimba, (see them by clicking here), so I knew where to look for xylophone plans.

Xylophones are not as popular as one might think, despite the beautiful, tranquil sounds that it makes. It’s pretty rare, and as a result it’s rather hard to get a good deal on one. So you are right to want to make a xylophone on your own. It’s a much better choice, than hunting your local classifieds for deals.

At one point I myself wanted a xylophone, but had to make a wooden xylophone on my own, because it was well outside of my budget to buy one. At the end, I am really happy I did build it, as now I have a great homemade xylophone to play and enjoy (though I don’t play it at all). The one I have now is actually not my first xylophone, it’s my second. The first one I build over a weekend, and gave it to my brother-in-law’s son (it was an 11 note box-resonated xylophone, nothing fancy). The second one will probably end up being a present for Mike, when the occasion comes or when I’m happy to part with it. It’s a beauty, 3 octave, looks like a marimba, taking up half my garage.

Anyway, the process was simple, and after a few minor mistakes, I finished something that looked fantastic and carried a good sound. I invested into premium wood, with no knots and then gave them a smooth do-over.

Anyway, Learn How To Make A Homemade Xylophone…

No quick guide will do the process justice, so you might as well skip to the bottom for a more complete guide. I say this, because if this is the first project you’re undertaking of this size then it’s best to use a resource that will provide you with a ton of pictures, or better yet videos that will illustrate every step from selecting the right wood to cutting it, assembling it, and tuning it, so that your homemade xylophone will have the sound of the professional percussion instrument.

As a woodworker, I can tell you that wood is very important, as you always should ensure that it has no kinks, and that pieces you use are free of any defects. Give it a close examination before you buy it. Often you can get what you need at a large home-improvement store, though sometimes it’s best to find a local hardwood supplier and see what kind of what they have that’s untreated that you can buy directly.

That’s a good way to get some of the rare timber, so that your xylophone has the desired look and sound. Next find out all you can about the assembly and tuning. You can find a great on the right hand side of this page. That way you’ll quickly learn how to make a xylophone at home.