Palito / Cata - Anyone here ever make one?

[bongosnotbombs]

I'm going to be making some palitos soon. I can pick up a nice bamboo pole
that is about the right size in Japantown right now.
I was wondering if anyone can give me tips on how to make them?

It seems pretty simple, mostly I was wondering about the hole that is cut into them? What size should I cut?

For reference I was thinking 6 inches long and maybe 1 inch wide? if that proved too small, I would then make it bigger, as you can always cut a hole bigger but not smaller.



p.s. I know this should probably be in the "other instruments" forum, but this one gets so much more traffic.

[Tonio]

Yo BNB.

I made one, which I thought I put up a photo earlier. Size of it is:
length 11"
diameter 1-3/4"
I made a split about 1/4"

I recently got in the Pearl Cata, and measruements are:
length 16"
diameter 3-3/4:
slit 3/4" wide X 9"long
w/ holes at each end 1/2"

For the price the Pearl Cata is good, considering the stand is worth $25.00.
The bamboo itself has many cracks, and am somewhat hesitant to really play hard fearing it could split all the way

The difference in sound is the hand ahand made one is higher in pitch. I assume that if I made the slit a little bigger the pitch would go down. but am sure that a bigger diameter would give more body.

You should probably try to get at least a 3" diameter piece of bamboo.
Local places down here is about $18 for a 3 or 4 " 10' pole.
http://www.calibamboo.com/bamboopoles.html

Target sells 4' poles w/ 2" dia for $5
T



Edited By Tonio on 1190578866

[Tonio]

I can post or send you a audio file to let you hear the difference.

T



Edited By Tonio on 1190579024

[bongosnotbombs]

Thanks Tonio,

The sizes of the holes is good info thanks, just what I was looking for.
Over here in Japan town it's $25 for a pole around 8' tall, I think I can get about 4 palitos with it..

it's about 4 inches in diameter. Gonna make a bunch then sell them to my percussion buddies, keep a couple for myself, being bamboo they might crack huh? good to have a backup.

After this, a guiro, I wonder what a good wood for claves would be?

[guarachon63]

being bamboo they might crack huh?

I would say "being bamboo they *will* crack."



If anyone knows a way to stop it, let me know.

[Tonio]

It does seem that bamboo is prone to crack, but I have seen many that does not. Must be the way they are cured, just like any other wood. Though bamboo is really a grass.

Claves: Rosewood.

T

[bongosnotbombs]

I was planning on treating the bamboo with a coat or two of linseed oil, it toughens wood surfaces, I put it on my gourd I used for the shekere I made, I think it might work okay for the bamboo...

Rosewood eh, Tonio? Sounds good to me, now just need to find a supplier. I want to make Cuban style claves, you know hollow with a cut out.

Solid might be good to, I have seen ebony one around, but I don't like the sound, too high, I like the hollow crack! you get from a Cuban style clave.

[Tonio]

yup. treating the bamboo should help.
I've been searching for a good clave too. Lp's african deluxe is good ,but somewhat low pitch, & the regular is too high. I got a Meinl one and there is no resonance at all, nothing but the transient. There is a low mid tone, but its so attenuated all you can discern is the high pitch.
I have a KIng Klave , it cuts but; klink klink city - eck :angry:
T

[Sakuntu]

I've made a claves out of Maple, Birch, Oak, Iron Wood, Bass wood, Locust wood, & Ash. My favorite sounding were the Maple and ash. I haven't had the chance to try any exotic woods...

[windhorse]

Here's mine. It was made by my friend Marshal. He also makes fabulous cajons. He does sell to folks, so let me know if you want one of his.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... -kata2.jpg

[windhorse]

looking inwards

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... -kata1.jpg

[bongosnotbombs]

Thanks D,
There's a lot of info in those pis.

[windhorse]

:D

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... -kata3.jpg

[windhorse]

Thanks Giordi,, I had a rush of insight to post something on my cata when I first saw this post a few weeks ago, but only today found the camera and had a moment to mess around.

[Tonio]

Hey David, that bamboo is really thick. I wonder why Marshall's cut is half past the compartment growth section-or what ever it is called. Perhaps helps in resonating ?
Will post pics of Pearl vs homebrew tomorrow.


T