| ASHIKOS |
Our Ashikos are ideal drum circle instruments. They are light, durable, easy to play and very powerful . We use Engelmann Spruce, Aspen and Douglas Fir for our shells. These are wonderful woods that give the drum a beautiful rich and warm tone. We are fortunate to have access to this great resource locally, just a few miles from the shop, in the Sangre de Christo mountains of northern New Mexico. Michael actually goes out and buys entire logs as they come out of the forest and has them milled to his own specifications. The lumber is then carefully stacked and air dried for several months at the shop. The goatskins for the drum heads come from Guinea, West Africa and are free of hair. We honestly don't know of a better head for drums than these, very bright and powerful. We also use domestic cow skin for a more mellow and smooth tone. (add 10.-) The drums can be easily tuned using the traditional Mali weave. For instructions see the 'Tuning, Care and Maintenance' page. Rope is top quality, tight weave, low stretch polyester, making it easy to keep the drum in tune. The drums can be easily tuned using the traditional Mali weave. For instructions see the 'Tuning, Care and Maintenance' page. Rope is top quality, tight weave, low stretch polyester, making it easy to keep the drum in tune. 14" Ashiko, 12"Ashiko, 10"Ashiko, 8"Ashiko, 28" tall 24" tall 22" tall 16" tall spruce, natural spruce, natural spruce, natural spruce, natural cow skin, hairy goat skin, smooth goat skin, smooth goat skin, smooth 275.- 204.- 175.- 145.- Natural Ashikos receive several clear coats of sealers and varnishes over the course of one week. Shell is sanded between each layer of finish. 14" Ashiko, 12"Ashiko, 10"Ashiko, 8"Ashiko, 28" tall 24" tall 22" tall 16" tall spruce, decorated spruce, decorated spruce, decorated spruce, decorated cow skin, hairy goat skin, smooth goat skin, smooth goat skin, smooth 285.- 209.- 179.- 149.- Decorations are individually painted onto bare wood using stains. Shell is later finished using same method as on natural drums. Designs will vary. 14" Ashiko, 12"Ashiko, 10"Ashiko, 8"Ashiko, 28" tall 24" tall 22" tall 16" tall spruce, br., dec. spruce, br., dec. spruce, br., dec. spruce,br., dec. cow skin, hairy goat skin, smooth goat skin, smooth goat skin, smooth 295.- 214.- 184.- 154. Decorated brown Ashikos receive a light base- layer of stain over which the darker decoration is applied. Finish coat as above. Again, all drums are individually decorated by hand. Designs will vary. |
Suggested Applications: 8" Ashiko: This is a true travel drum. It stands only 16"tall, is light as a feather and can be played on a strap or scarf around the shoulder or while seated. Not really the best beginners drum, but great for mid- eastern style playing, accents or accompaniment, will do for djembes what bongos do for congas. Can modulate like Doumbeks. Tonal range is similar to that of larger drums, good tones, slaps and bass. Bass obviously not as booming due to smaller volume but very strong. Will be heard next to large drums. 10"Ashiko: This is our most popular Ashiko and for good reason. It is probably the ideal beginner's drum. It is a full- sized instrument but still very easy to maneuver. It has great tonal range including a good booming bass. Head size is adequate even for people with big hands. ( remember, 10" is a common size for many congas ) Great all round drum, good lead drum, very loud and fast when tuned high. Good for African as well as Latin style drumming. 12"Ashiko: The power drum! Very booming, huge sound. This drum is just a lot of fun. Much like 10" but bigger. Same applications, maybe more towards the lower end of things. 14"Ashiko: (Special Order) True bass drum. Has thick African cow skin head, tuned very low, only low frequencies. Can also be played with sticks or mallets, will substitute for Dundun. Clean strong tone, like good tumbadora, rumbling bass. |
| Technical notes: Measurements that refer to the diameter of the drum are of the playing surface of the head and not of the widest part of the instrument! (actual dimensions can vary slightly) All R.B.I. drum shells are turned on a lathe by hand. This ensures a truly round and level playing surface with a very comfortable rim. It also has several tonal benefits, mainly having to do with wave patterns of circular membranes ( Helmholtz et al ). We use stave construction for the shells, which is an old woodworking technique, also known as cooperage and was mainly used in the construction of barrels. ( Michael's entire lineage consists of coopers as far back as records were kept, by the way). This technique lets the craftsman assemble rather large vessels without running the danger of having them split later on. We have advanced the technique so that we are able to build an entire shell from staves that come from one single piece of wood and have the same grain orientation so that all pieces contract and expand at the same rate as moisture fluctuates. This further reduces the tension that would normally develop within a shell if it were carved out of a single log or if random pieces of wood were used to make up the shell. Note: Our lumber is, by and large, free of knots. With Ashikos we will, however accept a certain amount of character, in particular on decorated drums as we feel it adds to the design of the instrument. All staves are carefully screened for defects and only truly sound pieces make it into one of the shells. |
| Contact: RBI Drums P.O.Box 15 Jaroso, CO 81138 email: mschraud@gmail.com tel: 719 588 4973 |