How much does a cimbalom cost: a 2026 price guide
A new concert cimbalom starts at roughly €3,500 and climbs from there; second-hand instruments go for far less. What new and used cimbaloms cost, and what to watch out for.
The cimbalom is one of the more expensive musical instruments. It is a piece of serious joinery and string work carrying more than a hundred strings. The good news: you do not need a concert instrument costing thousands to begin, and instalment plans and loan schemes do exist.
Editor’s note: the prices in this article are indicative, gathered in August 2026. Always confirm them with the maker or dealer before buying. This article is not a paid collaboration with any maker.
A new instrument
Slovakia and Czechia together form one of the world’s centres of cimbalom making. Several workshops build instruments here, and you will find them in our directory of makers. Indicative price bands:
| Category | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Small / portable cimbalom for beginners | low hundreds of € |
| Concert cimbalom, entry models | from roughly €3,500 |
| Higher concert models, custom builds | depending on specification, higher thousands of € |
The instrument itself is not the whole cost: budget for transport (a concert cimbalom weighs tens of kilograms), possibly a cover, and a first tuning after the move.
If the full sum is too much at once, ask workshops about instalment plans and student schemes. Some makers will also buy back a smaller instrument when a player moves up to a larger one.
A second-hand instrument
The secondary market lives mostly on classified-ad portals, where the cimbalom has a category of its own. The range is enormous: old folk instruments for hundreds of euros, well-preserved concert instruments for thousands. But a used cimbalom is a lottery:
- Cracks in the soundboard and opened glue joints are expensive repairs.
- Tuning pins must hold. An instrument that will not stay in tune needs a full overhaul.
- Strings and bridges: a complete restring is a real expense when there are over a hundred strings.
Always bring a teacher or an experienced cimbalist to the viewing. We are preparing a separate article with detailed advice on buying used.
A cimbalom for a child at music school
Do not buy immediately. Most art schools with a cimbalom department own instruments for pupils to practise on, and many will lend one out. Buying your own makes sense once it is clear the child is staying with the instrument. That is the moment to look at makers’ student schemes.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a new cimbalom cost?
New concert cimbaloms from Central European workshops start at roughly €3,500 and rise into the higher thousands depending on model and appointments. Small portable beginner instruments cost in the low hundreds of euros.
How much does a second-hand cimbalom cost?
On classified sites, old folk instruments sell for hundreds of euros and well-preserved concert instruments for thousands. With any private sale, always view the instrument together with a teacher or an experienced player.
Can a cimbalom be rented or bought in instalments?
Yes. Several makers offer instalment plans and student schemes, and some music schools lend an instrument to beginners. Ask the workshop or the school directly.