Products & Product materials
TIMBER
Mainly alien, invasive, exotic woods, that are cleared from residential properties are used,
viz., Jacaranda and Camphor. Both these woods have excellent carving properties, are medium density
and very resistant to cracking.
SKINS
Hand drums are covered with goat skin, the thickness of which determines some of the sound. A thin skin will give a
very high pitched tone sound, whereas thick will mellow the pitch.
Bass ports are covered with a thick hide, normally cow, the thickness of which determines the depth of the bass.
DRUMS
Drum shapes vary with different cultures but generally can all be played together as they all vibrate in some
way when struck with the hands. To name some of the more popular drum shapes - Djembe's; Ashiko's and Bass Ports.
Djembe: Sound - sharp, high pitched tone with a slap of thunder and deep, tight bass. Shaped much like a large goblet - a bowl and a flute - and tuneable with a string system. This drum is available in a range of sizes, the popular being 10" (25cm) and 12" (30cm). Oversized drums available from 13" to 16". This drum can be made from either a solid log of wood or slats.
Ashiko: Sound - warm, open, high tone with solid bass. This drum is played with the same hand technique as the Djembe. This drum is cone shaped and also tuneable with a string system. Available in two head sizes - 10" (25cm) and 12" (30cm) and lengths from 17" (45cm) to 27" (70cm). This drum is made from slats.
Bass Ports: Sound - deep, solid bass. Generally covered with a thick hide. This drum is generally played with hand drum mallets or sticks. The bass drum provides the marker which keeps time for all the other players when playing in a drum circle. This drum is similar in shape to the Ashiko and can be covered on both or just one side. The head circumference of this drum is usually large. Smaller versions are referred to as Djun-Djuns, which are straight with two different thickness skins on either side. This allows one to play on both sides of the drum achieving two different bass notes.
Talking Drums produces the following size Djembes and Ashikos:
- 12" Goat Skin Head Standard Height Slatted Djembe
- 11" Goat Skin Head Standard Height Slatted Djembe
- 10" Goat Skin Head 46cm Slatted Djembe
- 12" Goat Skin Head Standard Height Slatted Ashiko
- 10" Goat Skin Head 53cm Slatted Ashiko
Bass Ports are custom made to order and vary in shape from tube-like to Ashiko shape. The sizes range from:
- 80cm tall with a (12") 30cm head
- 80cm tall with a (14") 35cm head
- Bass Ashiko 80cm tall with a (14") 35cm head
- Bass Ashiko 95cm (37") tall with a 55cm (21.6") head.
Mallets or Marimba Sticks can be supplied on request and will be added to the price of the bass drum.
Repairs
- Reskinning inc. Tuning (Goat Skin)
- New Metal Rings (with knots on rings) inc. Tuning (Goat Skin)
- New String (verticals only) inc. Tuning (Goat Skin)
NB: WHEN REPLACING RINGS AND / OR STRING, IT IS ADVISABLE TO REPLACE THE SKIN AT THE SAME TIME. NO LIABILITY WILL BE TAKEN FOR SKINS THAT RUPTURE WHEN REPLACING RINGS AND / OR STRING.
Toys
- 240mm Bell Shaker - 10 Bells on Wooden Handle
- Wood Block with Beater Stick
- 8 inch Triangle & Beater
- Pair of Maracas
- Tambourine / Tambour
