Adama Drame djembe for sale

[johanbotha]

I'm based in johannesburg, south africa. A percussionist friend is selling his Adama Drame djembe - with a letter from Adama authenticating it's origin.

Any ideas on what it's worth..

[michi]

I'd say it's worth exactly what any other djembe in similar condition would be worth. If it's in perfect condition with new rope, $600-$700. What premium you want to put on the drum because it was played by Adama is completely subjective. I don't think though that you'd be likely to recover any premium you pay in a future sale. There doesn't seem to be much of a market for drums that are pre-owned by masters.

If you can, play the drum and observe your feelings when you play it. If it touches something deep inside and profound, it's your drum. If not, I'd say it doesn't matter whether it was once played by Adama, and I wouldn't pay a premium.

Cheers,

Michi.

[bops]

I heard that Mamady Keita signature series drums sell for something like 1,000 Euros, including a certificate of authenticity.

I think a drum is worth whatever the buyer is willing to pay. Personally, I would probably be willing to pay a little extra for a drum that was owned by Adama Drame, if it's in good shape. (That is, if I were in the market for more jembes, which I'm not currently - I'm happy with the ones I have.)

I tend to believe that older jembes, especially ones played and cared for by masters, sound a little better.

When I saw Adama perform, he was playing a drum that was pretty big. What's the size of your friend's?

[davidognomo]

Maybe you should try to contact Drame. I mean, why would Adama Drame give a letter to a guy to whom he gives or sells his djembe? I didn't know that Drame sold drums.

If you do a little search on you tube, you'll see that Adama Drame's djembes have a wider shell, and with a very distinct shape from most of the djembes that are played nowadays.

I know that in the netherlands you can buy at stores a djembe like the ones played by Drame.

If you trust that guy you are buying it from, go ahead. But what kind of percussionist sells a djembe that belonged to Adama Drame? I know I wouldn't.

I'm not trying to discourage you or to place a sense of mistrust towards the guy who's selling. These are the questions I would put to myself if facing your circumstances.

You should stick to the values that Michi and Bops mencioned as a good reference.

[michi]

I heard that Mamady Keita signature series drums sell for something like 1,000 Euros, including a certificate of authenticity.

The value is in they eye (or, rather, ear) of the beholder

I tend to believe that older jembes, especially ones played and cared for by masters, sound a little better.

If the drum has some Adama spirit in it, it's definitely worth more!

Cheers,

Michi.

[Sdready]

Since I just met Adama Dramé two days ago when he gave a workshop, I now can tell that he always or at least commonly brings the one or other drum that wasespecially manufactured for his needs and then he doesn´t take them back home, he sells them to his students. Like two days ago, the drum was sold to one guy who participated with us in the workhop. Of course s.o. who is interested in such a drum will have to talk to Adama in advance and find out if he has capacity left for bringing another drum with him on the next workshop-tour.

Greetings^^
Sdready

[Trog]

Sounds like a good way to get a decent drum. Congratulations to the buyer.