Tuning & Maintenance for Djembes & Doumbeks
Tuning
Toca's Djembes and Doumbeks will need to be tuned as they do not come
pre-tuned from the factory.
With a tuning wrench, move in a circular motion around the drum, (using
the Toca Logo as your guide to remember where you started) giving each
nut one half turn in a counter-clockwise direction until you've gone
around the drum once completely. Tightening in half turns is recommended
for applying even tension to the head, (if the head is very loose, more
turns can be used to get the head to produce a tone). Continue this process
until the desired pitch is reached, always keeping in mind to visually
inspect the collar of the head for even tension.
It is important to note that the animal skin head is matched to the
size of your drum. Animal skin heads are not perfectly even like plastic
heads. Drums should be tuned until the pitch is high and focused, with
no ring while playing an open tone.
Maintenance
- It is a good idea to slightly loosen your heads after playing.
Going in a circular motion, give each tension nut a half turn clockwise
to loosen. Do this, working your way completely around the drum twice.
This simple procedure will help to lengthen the life of your heads.
- During the manufacturing process, (before skin heads are mounted
to the drums) heads are soaked in water to make them pliable for
mounting. Due to this process, some of the oils are depleted from
the heads. To achieve the best possible sound, we recommend rubbing
a small amount of hand lotion containing lanolin into your drum head,
once they have been tuned. This will make the skins sound better,
increasing volume and tonality, because the skin can relax to vibrate better.
- Occasionally the tension rods will squeak when tightening or loosening. This
occurs when the lubricant between the nuts and washers dries up. If this occurs
apply some lug lube.
- You can keep fingerprints off your shell with a chamois polish cloth.
- When putting on a new bison conga head it is a good idea to turn the head upside
down and fill the inside with 1/2" of cold water. Let soak for two to three
hours. This will make the head more pliable and will make it seat on the bearing
edge. Tighten the head until there is no valley on top and it is even all the
way around. Let sit overnight and tune with method described above.
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