Help buying first djembe

[kawakbeat]

Hi, I just got into drumming and would like to buy my first djembe soon. I'm not looking at pro djembes but a nice drum that I can learn with.
What can you tell me of these companies and their Ivory Coast djembes?
Djembe Direct
http://www.djembedirect.com/store/ivory_coast_djembe
Goatskins
http://www.goatskins.com/

Have you had any experience with them? Would you recommend doing business with them?
Are these good drums? Would you choose one over the other?

Thanks for your help!

[rachelnguyen]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Shorty, of goatskins.com, has a good reputation in the community, so I would probably go with him. He is very generous with his knowledge, too, so he will likely help you learn to tune and eventually rehead your drum. (He sells a video showing how to do this, along with the supplies.)

As far as Ivory Coast drums... the ones I have seen and played have been quite a bit heavier than the Mali or Guinea drums I have used, but for the price, it seems like a good deal. Shorty even gives you a bag! The only downside of buying on the internet is that you don't get a chance to try out the drums ahead of time. But truly, as a beginner, you might not know what you are looking for anyway.

Which brings me to another possible suggestion: If you can find a teacher in your area, you might consider taking some lessons first. Most of the African teachers probably have drums to sell. It might be cool to hook up with someone local and buy one of their drums after you have had some time to check them out.

Enjoy!

[kawakbeat]

Thanks Rachel for the advice, I'm actually borrowing an Ivory Coast djembe at the moment. It does feel kind of heavy. But I can't afford a guinean djembe for now.

Has any one else bought from these companies?

[Djembe-nerd]

I don't know if its too late or not, but if you still haven't bought the djembe, I would recommend Djembedirect. I bought a Mali 13" Djembe from them , and I am satisfied with the drum. Even my drum circle guys in Houston liked the sound. They also have Ivory coast ones.

[buttafingers]

So long as the djembedirect drums are the blemished seconds from motherrhythm drums, go ahead and I doubt you will be let down. I purchased a 13" playable from Matt(?) and was quite satisfied with it. The head seemed to be pickled, leaving it dry for my taste, but I reheaded it and it sounds great now.

[Garvin]

If you hold off for a couple more months you might catch Wula during a warehouse clearance. They do some great deals when they need to move stuff out and you could really pickup a top notch drum for a great price.

That's my two-cents. As long as you are looking for advice on this forum you'll be okay. The fact that you are not trying to decide between Meinl and Remo tells me you are on the right track.

[Tatanka]

New myself, searching for a trustworthy source & best drum for me as a beginner. But wonder why you make the statement in your last sentence above; "not trying to decide between Meini and Remo tells (you) that (he) is on the right track." Meini and Remo are inferrior choices?

My search, thus far, shows no Djembe dealer available in Bakersfield, CA. I hear warnings against ordering off the internet. But how to find a dealer that is reputable where you can try drums and get expert advice is a big "HOW?" for me now.

Trying to educate myself by these posts; but most are on the upper level of discussion, leaving me scratching my head most of the time, trying to understand what all these names and types mean; and in what way? Quality? Sound?

Which type of wood is recommended?
Goat hide or cow?

It is beginning to feel like a scary thing - this consideration of a purchase. Investing $300 or more I certainly do not want to find it's cracked or a cheap item, or I've been ripped off as an ignorant gullible customer.

[bubudi]

please refer to the comments i made in the intro topic. if you have any more questions add them here.
re type of skin: if you are going to be playing traditional style djembe technique, it will be easier to get the basic sounds on a goat skin.

as for meinl and remo, they do not make djembes. they have models that imitate the djembe in shape but not in construction or sound.