Thread: Help me decide on a doumbek

So I've tracked down a few articles online, and decided I want a metal alexandrian drum with a synthetic head. so far so good. And I know I don't want a super-cheap one, since I want to learn to play correctly, not learn how to compensate for the ideosyncrasies of a cheap piece of crap. I'm ok with spending up to about $150.

Which of these 3 would you guys recommend as the best choice for me as a beginner:

• Alexandria Doumbek
• Aluminum Doumbek with FIBERSKYN®
• Aluminum Doumbek, Mylar

Disclosure: my hubby is a drum merchant at Pennsic and carries these regularly

Fiberskin will give you a better sound,but requires more careful handling...it's just paper, really., so try to keep it as dry as possible.

mylar is nearly indestructable, but doesn't sound as "warm" (to me) as natural or fiber.

You can get a replacement head of whichever doesn't come with your drum, even a natural skin head for when you are more comfortable.

I can't remeber which style is cast vs spun alum. off the top of my head, nor which sounds better. Of course sound is *very* subjective.

For learning to drum, I'd say that any of these are good choices. I know Mid east checks their drums for tone quality before they ship to us and assume they do the same for direct purchases. They are also very good about handling returns.

babble over.

On your suggestion, I ended up buying the one with the Fiberskyn head.

A reader from my blog pointed out that Mid-East also sells through Amazon, and they discount heavily on Amazon compared to their own website.

I got the drum in Red and for only $105.25 - which was at least $30 cheaper than what it would have been directly. The price difference tipped me over the edge and convinced me to spring for the better head. I'm not going to be carting the drum around to weird places or anything, so the indistructableness on mylar was less of an issue.

ooo thats a very pretty color red! I dont really take mine too many places, just to class or drum jam, and youd be surprised how many times Ive banged it into the corner of something. the drum and carrier are so bulky you dont realize it until its too late and doom! its been banged up!

Originally Posted by antimony

On your suggestion, I ended up buying the one with the Fiberskyn head.
*snip*
which was at least $30 cheaper than what it would have been directly. The price difference tipped me over the edge and convinced me to spring for the better head. I'm not going to be carting the drum around to weird places or anything, so the indistructableness on mylar was less of an issue.

Sa-weet! Awesome deal...I'm embarrassed I didn't think of looking for discouts elsewhere for you I hope you have many happy drumming sessions. love the color you chose!

I have that same red drum! Mine doesn't have a Fiberskyn head though. I found a distributor on ebay that made a listing of the red for me after I emailed them. I love this drum, I have no idea what I'm doing when I play with it yet, but I love it.

I use the Alexandrian Drum for just about everything since it's proven to be so durrable. I have put that drum through hell and it still sounds good. That drum and my favorite scimitar have endured air port baggage handlers, the outdoor elements, a couple hundred trance sessions and Gods knows what else. One of the neat things I did with my doumbek... I found a small tribal tassel and mirror belt for $35 and tied it onto the drum. I've also decorated it with shark vertibrae and beads. There is no confusing that drum with anybody elses. It's my baby. ;-) Congrats on getting your first drum baby!
~*Genisis*~

Originally Posted by antimony

I got the drum in Red and for only $105.25 - which was at least $30 cheaper than what it would have been directly. The price difference tipped me over the edge and convinced me to spring for the better head. I'm not going to be carting the drum around to weird places or anything, so the indistructableness on mylar was less of an issue.

It arrived today!!!

Oh my goodness, you were so right about the fiberskyn sounding nice. I was just goofing around with it a little bit, and it sounds beautiful!

Glad you lke it!

*devil's advocate* When you really want to be blown away by a drum...try a spun copper one...Wauw! *grin*

Be sure to bring it to class!!!!