Instrument Sales & Repair
Over 30 years experience building and repairing instruments of superior quality and design. I take great pride in delivering instruments which will give a lifetime of joy and satisfaction. I repair instruments of all types. In addition to repairing drums, guitars and string instruments, I specialize in repairing unusual and exotic instruments.
Here is a list of custom-made instruments that I build:
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Ngoni - a type of West Africa guitar harp.
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Berimbau - a single-string percussion instrument, a musical bow.
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Cajon - a box-shaped percussion instrument originally from Peru now common in Flamenco music.
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Frame drums - any drum with a head wider than its depth, it is one of the most common and culturally transcendent drums in the world.
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Ocean drum - a drum that can produce soothing ocean sounds.
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Dunduns - rope-tuned cylindrical drums with rawhide skin at both ends from West Africa.
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Brekete - a closed double-headed cylindrical snare-drum traditionally from Ghana.
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Mallets - also known as drum beaters. Different types of mallets are specialized for specific percussion instruments.
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Various percussion instruments and accessories
Below are some instruments that I have recently built and repaired. You can find my hand-made instruments available at my Etsy shop. I would love to create a custom, one-of-a-kind instrument just for you. Please contact me with any questions you have about instrument repairs and custom-made instruments.
22" Frame Drum
Big, room-filling resonant sound. Goatskin head with rawhide lacing and handle on the back, handmade with decorative gold, silver and bronze tacks. This drum speaks with a powerful and warm tone.
22" Shamanic Medicine Drum
Beautiful, large Shamanic Medicine Drum, sounds amazing! Goat horn handle, goat skin head, horse skin lacing. This drum really sings
Kamele Ngoni
Beautiful hand-made 10 string ngoni. The gourd is hand carved, from Kenya. The neck is walnut reinforced with an Ipe wood insert. Ipe wood handles. The bridge is made of purpleheart, Ipe wood and ebony.
Huge Drum with Ugandan Shell
The shell is from Uganda, carved from a single piece of wood. Huge sound, deep resonance. Touches the very heart of the cosmos. Its sound is unparalleled due to its unique shape, narrow bottom and tight hole. The expansion of the bass unfolds over a great distance.
Burundian Drums repaired and re-headed
Traditional Burundian drums. Leveled the base, refinished and stabilized the wood, carved new pegs and mounted new cowhide heads. These drums are not for sale. I repaired and re-headed them for use in traditional Burudian drum ensemble.
Ocean Drum
Stunning hand-painted Ocean Drum. This 12" diameter wooden hoop drum is stretched with natural goat skin on both sides. It's ocean sounds are produces by hundreds of small buckshot contained within, transforming weapons into the peaceful power of music. This drum was painted by my beautiful wife, Amy.
Shamanic Frame Drum
Hand made Shamanic Frame Drum. Great for meditation, singing and chanting, drum circles, or making music around the house! 13" across, 2.5'"deep. Wooden frame with goatskin head.
Top Line Pro Hard Wood Djembe
Exquisitely hand carved in Mali, West Africa from dense koula koula wood. 23.5" tall with 12.25" playing area. Mounted with thick goat skin. Heavy-duty rubber tire base. Beautiful ropework in black, red, green and yellow. It's a screamer, also has a fantastic bass!