Artisan Shekeres - Handcrafted for percussionists

[s'chopp]

Hi Matt nice to have another talented member of the forum.

[slinginit]

Thanks S'Chopp!! Glad to be here!

"The Jester" just sold meaning that all of the shekeres in this batch are gone. I'm still working on a big custom order for Abakua (very grateful for the opportunity) and will start on a new batch when his are completed. I've got a lot of new color ideas and 8 or 9 gourds that are finished and ready for skirts. PM me if you are interested in a custom color or design - I'll do my best to make it happen.

Cheers!

[ABAKUA]

Hey guys, check out how my order is coming along. Here are 2 of 3 Matt is making for me. All 3 are my design, with Matts input and creativity added also.
The 3rd one is still in design still, and pics are not available yet.
Pictured are my Chekere design for Yemaya & Eleggua. Still to come is the Chango one. Bead count: 1080 beads on Eleggua and 720 on Yemaya! Got beads yo?

[KING CONGA]

Typically you see chekeres with a flared end, Im wondering what the base tone is like on these being that thei are not flared at the end.
ABAKUA if you dont mind, please be sure to give us some insight in regards to this.

You know, Im surprised that you are not making your own ABAKUA, you do a great job with your Guiros, In fact, do you have any for sale?
K.C.

[slinginit]

Hi K.C.,

Actually, I think the tapered port extends the bass on these as compared with the flared bottle gourds. I'm still working on another big one for Abakua before I ship them from US to Australia. Some of the other skekere makers live proximate to their gourd farmers and can cherry pick their gourds. Unfortunately I don't have that option. The flared bottle gourd that's strong enough to be considered for a shekere probably constitutes about 1% or less of the total gourds on a farm. I've moved onto "martin gourds" which are formidable instruments in and of themselves, constitute a larger proportion of the available gourds, and typically are quite strong. I've had many bottle gourds break or "flex" during handling, but martin gourds are consistently strong. Of course, I never know their tune until the gourd arrives - they're all very unique in look, sound, feel, and surface texture.

Thanks for looking!

[slinginit]

One more thing...

I posted some other examples of my work in the "Other Instruments" section under the thread, "Show me your shekere" (pg. 6). There are many different shapes and sizes of gourds there.

Cheers!

[bongosnotbombs]

Typically you see chekeres with a flared end, Im wondering what the base tone is like on these being that thei are not flared at the end.
ABAKUA if you dont mind, please be sure to give us some insight in regards to this.

I think the flared end is just due to the type of gourd most commonly available. I dislike the flared end as it is fragile and just makes the gourd heavier. I choose gourds without the flared end nowadays. All my shekeres have incredible tone. I think a longer oval shaped gourd creates more tone, additionally the cleaner and harder the interior of the gourd the greater the tone from the shekere. That has been my experience. I've made about 30 shekeres now.

[slinginit]

Thanks BNB for chiming in about this. That's been my general experience too. Currently have a batch of 9 gourds that I'll be making into future shekeres - one of them has a flared top and definitely strong enough for a shekere. The rest are "martin gourd" style with good handles; they have a nice low-end sound for their size. I'll start assembly on the next batch as soon as I finish Abakua's order.

Cheers!!

[ABAKUA]

Updated pics, here are my 3 which sliginit (Matt) has made for me based off my designs.

[RitmoBoricua]

Nice looking shekeres.

[bobzline]

Happy New Year my brother.
I'd like to get two , of your choice, shipped to Miami, Florida. Please send me payment instructions and anything else you require.
Roberto Hernandez
bobzline@gmail.com