Rope

Just thought I would continue the blog by adding another tip. I get asked a lot how much rope does it take to string a djembe. A lot of factors are involved. How many loops (that determines the verticals). How long the verticals are. I have my own formular, others have similar, they all work. I count the number of loops, each loop repersents two verticals. I measure the length of the vertical and add two inches to that length. I multiply the total length (the length plus the two inches) times double the number of loops. This will give you a total number of inches. Divide that number by 12 and it will give you the number of feet. The two inches that were added will give you the extra rope needed for the making the diamonds. It will also allow you to pre-lace the drum before putting the head on.

Drum Heading Tips

To know the how long you need to cut the rope for the two loops rings you measure the circumfrence of the rings. I wrap the rope around the outside of the top ring. I use 4.25 times the cirumfrence of the top ring and 5.5 times the cirumfrence for the bottom ring. This will give you extra rope on the rings using a two finger spacing for the loops. It is better to have one foot or more extra then to be half an inch short. When i say two finger spacing, that is for the top ring only, the bottom loops will be closer then two fingers. I always do the top ring first. Count the number of loops. As I tie the loops on the bottom ring I pay attention to how many loops I have as I go around the ring counting the number as I reach each quarter of the ring. If the top ring has 24 loops I should have 6 loops after reaching the first quarter of the ring and 12 loops at the halfway point. You can adjust your spacing accordingly.

On the road

Not sure how this blog thing works, but right now i am on the way home from arlington va. i am currently on 321 north in nc on our way to 40west towards asheville. i have quite a lot of great customers and friends in ashville and wished i have the time to stop and see some. that will be another trip. as a reminder if anybody is in my neck of the woods feel free to call and stop by. i have am willing and ready to do a mini workshop and put a head on a drum. yall take care. i will try my best to keep up with this blog. hope i start getting some replies soon

First Post

Hello all, I am now entering the world of blogging. I guess I am suppose to say something smart and witty, well that is not happening today. I am currently on my way back from Arlington Va after burying my daughters husban in Arlington National Cemetary. I plan on keeping up with this blog. I feel like this will be a great place to ask questions, give out tips on heading drums, keep up with current drumming events and whatever else you are suppose to do in blogs.

I am going to be home Sunday afternoon. I have been having a tough time getting orders out for the last 3 weeks due to my son inlaws illness and death. I am expecting to get back to some sort of normacly starting Monday, Jan 7. On wed Jan 9 Sandy (my wife) is leaving for New Zealand for 3 weeks. Hopefully this will not slow me down to much, I expect to get back to my normal shipping of same day to next day for getting goods out.