Djembe drums

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Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 10:34 am

My girlfriend has wanted one of these for a while, and with her birthday coming up, I was thinking of getting her one.

Problem is that I have no idea about these, and asking her too many questions will rouse her suspicions. An internet search tells me what they are and gives a vague idea, but certainly no idea where's best to buy them from.

So instead I turn to you here (since you were all so helpful in finding me a book to read) to ask if anyone knows enough to tell me what I need to look for?

Oh, and a good supplier accessible from the UK would be a bonus!

Baiting Guru Joined: 08 Jul 2004 Posts: 11856 Location: UK

See the adverts at the top of the page:

http://www.google.com/search?client=opera&rls=en&q=Djembe+drums&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

Top one is a UK company:

http://www.goldcoast-arts.com

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:48 pm

^^^ Thanks SP - I saw those but have no idea if they're any use or not. I was working on the slim hope there might be someone lurking around these boards who would know what's good and what's not.

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:53 pm

ask one of your lads about them ...they are a Western African type drum ... arent they ?

Better still, get him to make one and send it to you

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:53 pm

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/home/navigation?q=djembe

I don't personally play drums, but a few other instruments. One of my friends who is a drummer plays and he got the cheapest one from this supplier and was quite happy. And he is a drum snob. He only spent around $100 or so too. Again, I am not a percussionist, so I can only vouch for what I heard first hand from someone who is.

With that being said, I don't know if Musician's Friend ships this item internationally or not. I know at one point they had an inclusive list of what brands they shipped internationally. They are generally the standard as far as prices are, so you probably wouldn't find them MUCH cheaper anywhere else. But the shipping might be an issue.

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:01 pm

@spot - never tried getting a lad to make one for me, and the birthday is in a couple of months: probably not enough time to learn! :

@jojo - I'll check that place out, thanks!

EDIT: They won't ship those products to the UK Sad

Not quite a Newb Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 42

http://www.african-drumbeat.co.uk/almost2.htm

They have a list of workshops in the UK. I would suggest getting in contact with someone from one of those workshops, they should be able to help you

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:14 pm

Have them send the drums to someone in the states you trust then have that friend send them directly to you. Sure the shipping cost will hurt a bit more, but I'd imagine she is worth it if that is what she really wants.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 42

^ that would also work

(good to see another WoW player here rindaris)

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:20 pm

True, alas, I have no friends in the States Sad

Never mind - I'll continue searching!

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:23 pm

I would venture to say that the prices you would get at Musician's Friend + the shipping that you would have to pay would not be too much more expensive. Having it shipped to someone in the States (if you know somebody), then having it shipped over there would probably not be a bad idea. All I can remember from the music stores I visited in the UK is that the prices were insanely high compared to what we pay here. So, with your conversion rate, you still might be better off doing what rindaris suggested. You will probably spend a bit on shipping, but it may be the best option.

EDIT: johnny has no American friends so my post is not applicable, although he DOES have a premium membership and access to drop boxes... Wink

Only kidding.

EDIT 2: johnny does NOT have premium membership and is a cheap SOB and should be banned from the site!

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:31 pm

I'd be willing to venture that someone here on the boards would be willing to help you. I'd offer myself but I don't have a car, relying on the bus and bike to get around, and getting such an item to the post office would be a nightmare.

Posted: Wed Apr 18, 2007 2:31 pm

^^^ I see no orange Smile

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 20 Mar 2007 Posts: 11

Hi, I'm a percussionist (conga and darbuka) and although I do not own a djembe I know a lot of people who do. I know of a good drum shop in Bristol called Ghana Goods http://members.aol.com/ghanagoods[/url] where the drums are really good quality and ethically made, and also Hobgoblin Music always seem to give honest advise, they have shop[s around the UK as well as a website http://www.hobgoblin.com/[/url]. I'm not sure all their shops sell percussion so have a look at the website.
If your girl wants to learn how to use the drum then there is a fantastic drum festival called Tribe of Doris (I know, silly name) www.tribeofdoris.co.uk/[/url], in Somerset at the end of August. You could go there and meet Ghana Goods as they have a stall. Dont' be tempted to buy off ebay if you don't know what makes a good drum, I've seen some real rubbish on there.