Homemade Instruments

[congamyk]

wow these are great

[Light Seeker]

Joseph, I'd also like to know how much you charge for a marimbula. St. Augustine's just a hop, skip, and jump away from Gainesville.

[Joseph]

Well I'm flattered and humbled that some of you have expressed an interest in the marimbulas.

I really suggest you go look at that marimbula thread
http://www.mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1256
There are a lot of great pictures of various configurations of marimbulas, starting on page 3
The pictures were from the old forum, and now only show up as links in the postings, rather than embedded pics.
There is some good discussion on construction and details, and I posted an image with a plan to build one, upon which I modeled and adapted my version.
So if you have the gumption...and the tools...

As far as making more
...the way first batch manifested:
Inspiration + visualization = labor of love = priceless
It was for fun.

now it would be:
customers + orders + expectations = work

I do good work, but I do better work when it's inspired work.
I always improve the details of different versions of stuff I build... and I know how I would improve a new version.
Economies of scale dictate building 2 at a time, as it takes 1/2 sheet of ply for 1.
So let me get inspired again, and I may have another for sale...but it won't be in the immediate future.

[seisporocho1]

Joseph,

Completely understood!! I know what it is to do something for yourself and how it is to do something for other people's expectations! I have been asked to do shekeres for other people and immediately money = expectations = pressure = not much fun!

I will look at the forum and perhaps I will make one myself! Don't be surprised if PM you with questions as I go.

keep creatin'!

peace

6x8

[stevesdrums]

I made these 3 Ashikos from 18 staves of Poplar hardwood, then stained and finished with several coats of Polyurethane.
All are 28 inches high, perfect for seated playing. The 10 inch and 11 inch have Cowhide heads and sound like Congas. The
12 inch drum has Goatskin and has the bright sound of a Djembe. I am planning to built them with Oak, Ash, Walnut.
You can hear them in my videos at http://www.myspace.com/stevesdrums

[seisporocho1]

Hey Steve,

How do you shape the staves and how do you put them together? What glue do you use? I've been wanting to make on so I would love to know if there are tricks to it.

Nice job.

Thanks!

6x8

[akdom]

very nice job

I guess there is no stave but this drums seems dug out of one piece of wood.


B

[bongosnotbombs]

I am finishing up a stack of guaguas / catas for palitos at the moment, I have a couple more to cut and then I'll
be sanding them down and coating them with oil. So a few more days and they'll be done.

But here they are in my San Francisco apartment workshop. I'll be selling these off, $22 + shipping.
When they are ready I'll post another thread with the instruments available.

[seisporocho1]

bnb,

yes, I'll take one.

let me know once they're done!

6x8

[seisporocho1]

Akdom,

If you look closely at the Ashikos, you'll see the staves!

6x8

[ABAKUA]

Great stuff.
I will repost some of my pics when i get home from work tonight.

[seisporocho1]

Come on Abakua!!
We would love to see your work! Please join the thread.

ache,

6x8

[Bachikaze]

I have made web pages with instructions on how to make the drums I have constructed.

http://members.cox.net/drum/okedo01.htm

http://members.cox.net/drum2/ikigala1.htm

http://members.cox.net/drum2/alfaia1.htm

[seisporocho1]

Bachikaze,

Extremely informative and great sources. Thanks for sharing. I have a good friend here in Miami that lived in Recife for a while and he brought back a few of the Alfaias. I have still yet to learn how to play Maracatu. He plays it perfect. It's awesome. It's got a hell of a swing to it.
Your drums are really cool especially because of their traditional look. I always preferred that look.
I play in a SambaReggae ensemble called Mano Santa. Of course we play with surdos, repiniques, snares etc. But I would love to build one of your drums to see how it would compare sound wise and for sure add a touch to the aesthetic of the band.
The rope thing has got me a bit confused. How to rope the drum is something I'd have to take a closer look.

Again, this was a great addition to this thread. Thanks.

Keep adding!

6x8

[Bachikaze]

Your drums are really cool especially because of their traditional look. I always preferred that look.

That is one reason I prefer the old, banded "Cuban style" congas, and have recently gravitated away from congas towards bugarabus.

I play in a SambaReggae ensemble called Mano Santa. Of course we play with surdos, repiniques, snares etc.
6x8

Coincidentally, my most visited website is about surdos, particularly in Bahia.
http://members.cox.net/drum/surdos01.htm

I also wrote this overview.
http://gorogoro.info/gorogoro/blocos01.htm

Axé!