New Project!!!! - sanding,re-finishing, re-heading

[Grateful1]

Well I woke up the other morning and went down stairs to a devistating surprise. My djembe of almost 2 years ripped right down the head. I had it tuned up wayy high for soloing, and the was a viscious weather change over night The djembe was a prety cheap toca wood djembe. about 100$ from guitar center.

so rather than junk the cheap djembe and go buy an authentic african. I have decided to try refinishing this one. I am gonna start by sanding off the goofy tribal paint.as well as sanding off the entire drum and getting down to a naked wood. Then restaining the wood. I am going to order a new goat skin djembe head and get some better quality tuning rope.

This will be my first rebuilding project but I need the expierince so there is no better time to start. sned me any tips and advice to help me out and I will ask more specific questions as they arise.


Do you think this shell is capable of being a high quality djembe?

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[Grateful1]

another

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[Grateful1]

one more

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[Grateful1]

so there is 3 rings with the djembe. The one that is still wrapped around the middle of the shell. the one that is still tucked inside the old ripped head. and the one that goes aroudn the top ring and loops the vertical ropes. do i save all three of these and re-use them since they r in good shape. or will it help sound quality to replace these as well>??????

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[CongaTick]

Grateful,

I'm not a djembe expert (others here are) but I would definitely keep all three rings.

[taikonoatama]

I've completely rebuilt (stripped, sanded, stained, oiled, roped, skinned) quite a few djembes, though I would not claim to be an expert at this point. Still, I certainly have learned a thing or two along the way.

>Do you think this shell is capable of being a high quality djembe?

Telling you that this djembe of yours was cheap for a reason is no news to you. Cheap djembes like this are typically made from the cheapest possible wood, of course, which is typically fast-growing, soft and easy to cut/lathe/sand, and easy on the tools. Still, some of them don't actually sound half-bad with a quality skin, and you've been reasonably happy with it so far, so I say why not - got for it. It'll be a good learning experience at the least.

Here are some great instructions for prepping, roping and putting on a new head:
http://www.hawkdancing.com/Wooddrum/drumhead.html

Oh, and I use this Dr. Bongo's Palm Oil, which is fantastic for all kinds of drums:
http://www.bongocentral.com/palmoil.htm

Let me know if you need any specific advice and I'll try to help.

~Taiko