sources for high-quality kpanlogo drums?

[e2c]

Hey all,

I'm wondering if anyone can suggest suppliers who are handling well-carved, well-built drums? (I have a sneaking suspicion that a lot of the kpanlogo drums that make it to the US aren't quite what they could be...)

am thinking that:

1. I love the sound; that nice "wet" slap and overall dark tonality

2. they seem to run a lot less than a well-crafted bougarabou (single drum), though perhaps the price differential is more about not-so-good drums?

and -

3. I don't want to invest money in a semi-OK drum. Experience (with a number of different kinds of instruments) has taught me that the better the drum, the more you'll (well, I'll) want to play it, because it sounds and feels good.

I've been listening to some Ghanian percussion (plus djembe, in some cases) recordings lately and am really liking the way the kpanlogo come across. While I'd love to take lessons in traditional kpanlogo playing, i don't know if that's even remotely possible, given my location...

Thoughts/suggestions/sources welcome!

thanks in advance,
e.

[Dugafola]

check in with Rhythm Traders. brad got his start in african imports by bringing instruments from ghana. not sure on the quality or what makes a solid drum though.

[bops]

e2c - I have a good friend who is a Ghanaian carver here in Madison. He makes beautiful kpanlogo drums, as well as other types of drums and furniture. Let me know if you want me to put you in touch with him.

PS. Here is a gallery of some of his work.

[e2c]

e2c - I have a good friend who is a Ghanaian carver here in Madison. He makes beautiful kpanlogo drums, as well as other types of drums and furniture. Let me know if you want me to put you in touch with him.

PS. Here is a gallery of some of his work.

Hey bops - thanks so much (ditto, Duga!)

Please PM me with contact details; I can't buy immediately, but would love to talk with him about instruments, etc.

* Weird, but for whatever reason, your Facebook link isn't showing in your post; I can see it in this reply and will copy the link, though.

Edited to add: wow - his work is beautiful! He's a true sculptor; does he have any professional art training?

[Waraba]

Try looking up Maxwell Kofi Donkor of Sankofa. He's on the www. His kpalogos look and sound terrific.

[e2c]

Many thanks for the tip! I'll be checking his site ASAP.

[Waraba]

Cool. And by the way, after reading the blistering discussion about djembes from Ghana, I have to say Kofi plays a real nice djembe from Ghana.

[sakuntuquaye]

David Amoo makes the best Ghanaian drums that I've seen, played and/or reheaded. He makes the drums for the National Dance company in Ghana. Motherland music sells his drums here in the USA. Heres a video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKvx3z3ORCQ

[EvanP]

E,
Did you ever get a kpalongo, and if so where and what did you learn?

e

[e2c]

Evan... not yet! But I will post any/all info. whenever. (I'm torn between a kpanlogo and a bougarabou, to be honest.)

[Waraba]

Bougarabou is easier to tune.

[e2c]

Bougarabou is easier to tune.

Yeah.. not sure if I want to mess with tuning pegs.

[Paul]

Just started playing in a kpanlogo class a few months ago (well its a Ghana mix, bit of Ebe and Ashanti too).. Do you want it for playing traditional stuff or just a lower sounding drum.. Boogerabou was my first drum but I have never found someone that could teach how to play a set but its been useful for other things...

[e2c]

Paul,

I love the sound of the kpanlogo, but there's nobody anywhere near me that teaches... so yes, a lower-pitched drum with a different sound.

Which is why a bougarabou looks like a better option at this point.