RHD Original Djembe

We can build these drums out of almost any wood, but have found a sweet spot with walnut and maple.  Each wood will have its own tonal character, but the following is an observation over the many drums we have built.

RHD-Original (Walnut) Djembe

American Black Walnut wood is known for its rich dark brown color with streaks of lighter sapwood. It is also regarded by many (including us here at RHD) as a wonderful tonal wood. It has a natural resonance of liveliness and warmth. It is a durable and stable hardwood, very well suited for percussion instruments. Our walnut djembes have a wonderful meaty tone, deep bass, and a pleasant, not too bright slap. This djembe is great for studio recording and acoustic sets.

RHD-Original (Maple) Djembe

If you are after a djembe with attack and volume, hard maple is the way to go. The higher density of this wood means it’s got killer projection. It resonates at a higher internal frequency and therefore will give your drum a brighter sound. We outfit the foot of these with a flame maple (also known as curly maple) foot to enhance the reflection of light and make the wood visually pop! These djembes are loud, bright, and quick with great response and attack. If you are looking for a solo djembe that cuts above the other, this is the drum you should look at!

Production Times

Please note we are a small shop and because of the hand-crafted nature of these djembes, they are built per order. Photos are only a representation of this style drum that we have built in the past. Production times vary greatly depending on time of year and work load. We have shipped these drums all over the world and they are known for exceptional sound and craftsmanship. Because of this, we can be very busy. Typical turn around time is 6-8 weeks, however a wait of up to 6 months is possible. Contact us if you have any questions or need your drum sooner. ** Custom rope colors and ring wraps available. Contact us for more info.