[richlevy]

After seeing how much fun I had with hand drums at Plastic Forks, I decided to get an inexpensive drum to bang.

I ended up getting a used 17 x 10 1/2 Djembe drum from a used music store near work. He first made me an offer of $40 for it. When I held it up to the light and saw an 1/8 inch tear in the head he came down to $25.

After seeing how heating my bodhran turned a tiny tear into an 18 inch rip, I decided to go with my plan of using plastic packing tape and superglue.

This weekend I am considering removing the head and cleaning the drum. I think that I also intend to replace the worn rainbow cord with black climbing rope or the equivalent and use furniture polish to fix up the wood.

The drum was used by a music troupe, Sister something and something. The shop owner had one of their leaflets.

My biggest issue is that the drum has a musty smell mixed with incense. I think that a strip and clean will take care of that.

Any advice on techniques and materials for refurbishing drums would be appreciated.

I've included a 'before' picture.