building drum - need advice

On Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:36:33 -0500, ebd wrote (in message ):

Well, google is our friend, and I'd look for info on drum making and drum principles or drum theory.

In my very limited experience with banging on drums late at night on the summer and winter solstices here in the northern woods, the larger diameter drums seem to have the lower pitch when struck in the middle, and the deeper drums - longer air column - seem to favor the lower pitch tones. Of course, this also depends on the tension in the "skin" and what you are striking with and lots of other variables.

My personal preference would be for the longest cylinder my lathe and I could SAFELY handle. I'd try to use 3/4" or 1" lumber and turn the outside to round, leaving the interior sufaces flat. I'd choose epoxy or Large Hairy Primate glue for gluing the staves, and would leave the edges as-cut or sanded no finer than 60-80 grit. I'd want the body to be fairly robust, as the drum will get hard use.

This is all absolutely opinion, based only on my experience, and in the case of drumming - maybe a little beer.

tom koehler

First suggestion - don't go making your first one (or the second) from wenge and zebrawood. Ain't nothing like trying to make the first one perfectly to set you up for a major fail. Pick something you can get cheaply, and thus afford to screw up a few of, unless (as you clearly don't) you have lots of experience making similar items. Practice does not guarantee perfection, but it sure improves your odds of getting a workmanlike job.

As for depth, you can go anywhere from a bodhran (3 inches deep, 3/8-1/4 inch thick) to a conga, ashiko or djembe that might be up to an inch thick and 3-4 feet tall, with different shapes. Perhaps you should try a few different drums and see what you like for sound.

The TV show "How it's made" showed an African drum maker who made theirs from ash. They cut flat stock in the profile they wanted, then beveled the edges for the amount of staves they wanted. The outside was turned, the inside left flat.

Where did you get the hardware? Cost?

Thanks,

Rob

Rob,

I bought the head at a local music store - $26 + tax. The rim and tensioning hardwaew I ordered from

I always prototype using pine/spruce/whatever's free.

Thanks fir the info.

Rob,

I bought the head at a local music store - $26 + tax. The rim and tensioning hardwaew I ordered from

One could make it like a barrel. See if you can find a video. Wine barrel making has been on TV.

Buy hardware - old drum ? Also from music stores.

Mart>> I am building a 13" drum to beat on with my hands to vent and enjoy. >>