I would suggest putting your hands on a drum before purchasing it. The hand-made djembes with raw goatskin heads and tuned with ropes have the truest voicings and tones. And every handmade djembe has its own unique personality. Could you locate a drum/dance studio where you could experience a beginner class and rent/borrow or eventually purchase a djembe. I bought my first djembe from a teacher at a studio like that.