The basis for this instrument was a nicely figured plank of Hawaiian Koa which I found through a wood supplier who deals in a lot of high quality instrument tonewoods. Koa is prized for its full-range tonality in guitars and other stringed instruments, and the few drums I have made from this wood are equally warm and sweet.
The rippled figure in the center band of this drum shell is quite three-dimensional in real life, and displays a very pronounced grain flicker as you circle the drum. I set off the center section with two thin bands of Walnut which I thought would add a little visual interest and echo the color of the Pau Ferro hoops.
With a warm and gentle voice which purrs under brushes and light sticking, this drum has a surprisingly large sweet spot and can really project when struck in the middle. This instrument features a high gloss water-based lacquer finish and traditional chrome tube lugs and hardware. A Nickel Drumworks clear and chrome throwoff plus Puresound 1412 Custom wires and Evans heads complete the set-up.
14 by 5 inch Figured Koa with Pau Ferro Hoops
