I call this drum Envy. I recently crafted this drum and pulled off this really cool green tie-dye.
This drum is 9 inches in diameter (top) and is made from Baltic Birch. Each drum is instantly tunable, using a tradmarked instant tuning system created by the drum's inventor, Doug Powell. Sliding the wooden "eggs" downward increased the tension on the head, thereby raising the pitch. You don't have to work the lacing in and out of a mali weave to change the pitch of these drums.
Drums of various sizes are available, and you can find out more information at New World Drums (newworlddrums.com).
Each of these drums is crafted after the African Ashiko drum, and are made here in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, nestled in the Ozark Mountains. The heads are made from either calf or goat skin, and sometimes are dyed, while other times the natural tones of the head are left to impress.
I currently own three of these drums, two of which I bought before I started working with Doug in his drum shop. I have played them in a wide variety of settings, from drum circles to live performances with musical groups. They are very versatile, and I consider them to be playable pieces of art.
