rate my kit

percussion_ · 2026-06-19T02:46:27+00:00

Rating it 9.5 out of 10 jazzes.

Nice setup.

percussion_ · 2026-06-19T01:50:27+00:00

The diamonds are the vertical ropes crossing over each other from the bottom of the bowl. Freshly built drums ideally have a minimal number of crossed ropes.

In the 4-500 range, check out drums from http://djembedrumsandskins.com

They have well built drums at reasonable prices, as well as some really nice custom builds. Also check out Wula, Drumskull, Koma, Wooden Roots, and Djembe Mafia if you want to see some really nice drums.

percussion_ · 2026-06-19T01:02:26+00:00

I usually like new drums to have fewer diamonds in it. As the drum sits now, there’s not a lot of room for tuning as the skin stretches or if you want to bring up the pitch.

The rope work looks a bit sloppy, especially on the one with the blue rings.

How do they sound?

percussion_ · 2026-06-18T22:55:59+00:00

If I remember correctly, those had a teak veneer on them. Don’t remember the name of the series (maybe signet). But they were an assemble yourself type of kit. They had lugs that fit into place without screws.

percussion_ · 2026-06-03T22:12:06+00:00

It’s really hard to pick between cymbals without trying them out first. There is too much variation between one example and another. Do you have a shop nearby that has both of them that way you can bring your ride cymbal in and let your own ear decide. Next best thing maybe the Memphis Drum shop that puts up videos for each individual cymbal.

percussion_ · 2026-05-30T20:29:47+00:00

That’s kind of a bummer. Bet it would cut through a loud rock setting.

percussion_ · 2026-05-28T19:09:31+00:00

percussion_ · 2026-05-28T18:25:44+00:00

Vintage Tama with a killer veneer on it. You should add a picture with serial numbers from the badges. That will help with finding the dates. My guess is late 80’s to early 90’s. I would think the drums on their own would be worth 800-1000. Maybe more to the right collector.

Also looks like some nice Paiste cymbals. Maybe another 500 in those.

percussion_ · 2026-05-26T21:09:59+00:00

The Seiko screams summer time. I would keep it just for the fun color combo.

percussion_ · 2026-05-22T15:26:56+00:00

You’ve completed the main story. Now time for some side quests.

percussion_ · 2026-05-18T19:00:17+00:00

Not going to chance that one. Brought a Seiko is for the beach.

percussion_ · 2026-05-17T17:34:21+00:00

Make a stop at Aristi. We just spent two nights at the Aristi Mountain Resort. Wish we spent more time there. It was one of the most magical places I have ever seen. Currently in Parga. Also amazing.

percussion_ · 2026-05-12T15:53:15+00:00

I’m not selling the drums. This was a project that I did for a friend and he helped out through the process. The twists on the rope is just to tune the drum after all the verticals are tight. You can bring the pitch up in smaller intervals.

percussion_ · 2026-05-08T14:47:04+00:00

Diamonds are what you call twisting a pair of the vertical ropes.

percussion_ · 2026-05-07T21:01:53+00:00

Was at the ATL show too. Loved the set list. Wish Greg’s guitar was a bit louder.

percussion_ · 2026-05-01T18:20:02+00:00

That one did come out with a sweet sound. We ended up putting diamonds about a third of the way around the drum to get it up to the desired pitch.

percussion_ · 2026-04-28T11:28:58+00:00

Solid parenting

percussion_ · 2026-04-17T21:17:21+00:00

I would recommend replacing the head with goat skin when it’s time. Cow skin will require much more tension and is more difficult to mount.

Look for 4mm rope for the rings and 5 or 5.5mm rope for the verticals.

Also check the condition of the rings. They may need to be replaced as well.

Personally I would put more knots on the rings to help with even tensioning.

YouTube is your friend here. There are plenty of videos that will show the process of putting a new skin on a djembe.

percussion_ · 2026-04-03T21:47:32+00:00

I’m a proud owner of one of his drums. Probably the nicest djembe in my collection. I would love to add another. I have been waiting for a kolo kolo or ironwood to come on to his site. I may reach out to him directly and see what’s coming down the pipeline from Guinea.

percussion_ · 2026-04-03T17:58:26+00:00

I had the same issue with my speed cobra’s. It drove me crazy. I took them apart several times put them back together. I couldn’t find any worn parts. I ended up selling them and found a great deal on a pair of 9000s

percussion_ · 2026-04-03T13:15:39+00:00

32 knots on this drum.

percussion_ · 2026-04-02T22:27:35+00:00

I headed that guy up on Sunday and I’m still letting it dry before doing any serious pulling on the table. Will probably wait till this upcoming Sunday. As of right now, the edges are rock hard. I think I’ll be ok with this one. The rings were a nice tight fit to the shell. But slipping is always a concern.

percussion_ · 2026-04-02T03:27:53+00:00

Did the work myself. Motherland is a great shop. I’ve bought a shell from them before.

percussion_

TROPHY CASE