Need Djembes!

[Trumpet]

Okie-Dokie,
New guy here. I need drums. Here's the deal....
About six years ago, I was assigned the exact same middle school general music class two semesters in a row. At first I was like , what am I supposed to do with them? Then my wife had the idea to order some drums and start a group. Well, six years later it's still going strong and is now a by-audition-only group, and last year we got to play at the World Bank in DC.
Now, we found out this year that our schools are splitting (we're two small magnet schools in one building. My wife teaches music on one side, and I teach on the other, and my drum group is combined). My wife intends on continuing with the drumming on her side as well, so that means we need to order about seven more drums (BTW all the drums are paid for out of our pockets. The school won't pay).
When I started the group I just ordered drums from X8, and they're working fine. However, just hanging out here for a couple days, I found out I could do better. I'm now looking at Wula drums. From everything I've read here, they're the shiznit which is what I want. I might not be a "drummer" but I'm a former pro trumpet player (career changer....long story involving the Army...) so I want a good quality instrument and sound. As an educator, I feel a big mistake (one of MANY) made in music "ed" is using poor quality instruments. But I digress.....

Anyhoo...I've been in contact with Galen from Wula (very impressed with the guy and the company) and we may be looking at some drum specials. I figure we can spend $1k-ish
What are all of your thoughts on the various wood types? Melina good? What about the "Cosa" line? I'm thinking that I can spend as much or even less than I did for the Indonesian "Gembays" and get real African Djembes. Any thoughts or recommendations?

I've thought about asking for money or applying for grants through the school, but that's sort of a win/lose situation. Sure, I'd get the drums, but I'd likely lose some control as "Artistic Director". Plus if I buy them, they're mine and go with me should I change jobs.

[the kid]

Baragnouma is a cheaper alternative . You'd get 4 drums for your 1000 plus postage or a 2 djembes and a set of dununs

If your using the drums for classes try get 1 or 2 good ones for yourself and a load of smaller ok ones for the classes.

[Trumpet]

So are their listed prices including shipping? I would have a hard time believing shipping from Burkina-Faso would be less than shipping from NY. Anyway, what is the quality of their drums like?

[Tom]

I am a big fan of melina djembes because they are both lighter and less expensive. My djembe teacher here in Guinea (Abdoulaye Traore, soloist for Percussion de Guinee) is using a Wula melina djembe to play in celebrations, and it sounds fantastic. Melina wood djembes have gotten a bad rap because they have always been carved poorly inside, and therefore they don't sound so good. But Wula carves them out just like we do our hardwood drums, which is why our melina drums sound like our hardwood drums.

Wula also has a discount program for artists and teachers which will allow you to buy four good djembes for less than $1,000, and if there is breakage of wood our skin it is much easier to exchange a djembe from DC (assuming you are in the DC area) to New York than from DC to Burkina Faso, so don't forget to consider customer service as well

Good luck in your search and with your project.

Best,

[Trumpet]

Tom,
Thanks so much! I looked at the other company and found out I could ship drums from Burkina Faso if I sold one of my kidneys. Since I prefer to actually both of them, I think I'll stick with Wula.
Now, I believe I also asked Galen this. I'm assuming that on your site under models, the scroll down menu goes from "highest end" to "lowest" top to bottom correct? Now the regular "Artist" line is pretty much in the middle. Is the Melina Artist just as good as the hardwood Artist line, just with Melina wood, or is it "lower" than the Cosa?
Also, from what I understand the Cosa shells are from someone else, but you guys do the final finishing on them? Sort of like how Springfield Armory gets their steel forgings from Brazil but does the final machining a their US factory. Is that correct?
Two of the first drums we bought were from "Irietones" and they're God aweful. Not round, stretchy rope, and wood so soft you could carve your name in it with your fingernail. I guess that has me spooked on "lighter" wood. I just want to make sure that if they are melina, the melina drums I would purchase from you wouldn't be like that.
Also, I was looking at the Hardwood Cosa (the $200 one). What kind of hardwood do you use?

Thanks so much
Rich

[Tom]

We just made some changes to our website, and I'm not current on it. Best to ask Galen on that one.

Hardwood djembes tend to give more 'timbre' than melina wood djembes, and so a hardwood Artist djembe would be a step up from a melina Artist. Melina wood djembes from Guinea are much harder than the softwood Indonesian djembes. They are also more durable and will give a better sound.

You are correct about the Cosa djembes being bought from shops outside of Wula and then reworked by Wula carvers.

Happy to hear that you'll be keeping both your kidneys. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Best,

[e2c]

Trumpet - I have had a few chances to play high-quality melina drums, and Tom is right about the sound and tonal quality.

In general, I think the higher the quality of the instrument, the more you - or your kids - will want to play, though I'm sure you know that already!

[Trumpet]

We just made some changes to our website, and I'm not current on it. Best to ask Galen on that one.

Hardwood djembes tend to give more 'timbre' than melina wood djembes, and so a hardwood Artist djembe would be a step up from a melina Artist. Melina wood djembes from Guinea are much harder than the softwood Indonesian djembes. They are also more durable and will give a better sound.

You are correct about the Cosa djembes being bought from shops outside of Wula and then reworked by Wula carvers.

Happy to hear that you'll be keeping both your kidneys. Let me know if you have any more questions.

Best,

Thanks. How would you figure something like the hardwood. Cosa?

[Tom]

The Wula Cosa djembe is a good quality hardwood djembe and a great low cost alternative. I see this same level of djembe sold on other websites for much higher prices than what Wula sells it for.

Best,

[Trumpet]

Well,
I just ordered Djembes from Galen at Wula.....9 of them. Also ordered a15" Dundumba from djembedirect. I think I got a 2nd degree burn on my butt from my credit card melting through my wallet. Feel the burn....

[rachelnguyen]

Wow! What a fine day you are going to have when they all arrive. I am picturing it now! Enjoy!!!

[EvanP]

Better budget a few bucks for ear plugs

[Trumpet]

I just got them today!! Freakin' awesome drums man. I just wanted to thank Galen, Tom, and the guys at Wula. Their service and help was unparalleled and they're true gentlemen. I can't recommend Wula enough.

[bubudi]

2 days from order to delivery on 9 drums is pretty amazing service. hope they're every bit as good as you hoped.