Djembe Buying Guide
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Drum shells from West Africa are hand-carved. Size, shape and type of wood all affect the range of sound. Dense grain, medium to heavy wooden shells generally have the best tone.
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Mali tend to have a rounded bowl with a slight taper to base
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Lengue (Linge/Linke), Dugara, Dialla (Djala), Acacia, and Genou wood |
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Guinea have a straighter more tapered bowl |
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Acajou (Bois Rouge), Lengue, and Khadi/Haré (Balafon) wood |
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Ivory Coast have an elongated bowl; wider throat and usually a notch for bottom ring |
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Iroko wood |
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Senegal has longer bowl and big-flared base |
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Dembe/Demba (African Teak) wood
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Buying tips:
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Rope (ideally double-braided polyester):
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3/16" (4mm-5mm) diameter with a core; never flat (non-core) or nylon rope
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Height (drumhead should be lower than elbow when sitting in a normal chair):
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23"-25" tall
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Head (measure of the playing surface, not the ring):
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12" - 14" diameter goatskin or cowhide
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Bearing edge (where your hand meets the playing surface):
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smooth and rounded over for playing comfort
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