WILL RIDENOUR

I have been re-heading and re-building djembes and other hand drums since 2001. I have learned from teachers and builders from Mali, Guinea, Senegal, and the US, and have made 5 trips to West Africa to study with master musicians and builders. 

Need a repair done? Here's how it works. 

• Continue reading below to get more familiar with the process and the costs. 
• Send me an inquiry through my Contact Page, and tell me about your drum and repair needs. 
• I will respond with initial thoughts and an invitation to send me photos of your drum via text or email. 
• You will then receive an initial estimate and/or recommendations.
• We'll set up a date/time for drop-off, or you can ship your drum to me (see shipping section below).
• Once I receive and inspect it fully, I'll update the estimate and go over it with you.
• Upon agreement of the estimate, I'll begin work and send you updates (if you like).
• When complete, we'll set up a date/time for you to pick up your drum and payment is due in full at this time. For shipped drums, payment is due when you receive your drum safe and sound. Cash, PayPal, Venmo, and Check are all acceptable. 

Estimates:

Re-heading is different for every djembe, so in order to estimate the cost I need to inspect it first. The typical questions I ask are:

• Is the rope the right size, good quality, and reusable?
• Are the 3 (or 4) steel rings a good fit?
• Is the bottom ring steel or wire or something else?
• Is the bearing edge smooth and the correct profile?
• Are there any cracks that need fixing?

Pricing:

The basic price, including all labor and a new goatskin is $150.

If I have done your drum before, you get a 10% discount! Yay! If your drum is 10" (head diameter) x 16" (height) or smaller, you'll get a discount as well. 

This base price includes:

• a new goat skin (thin or medium) with a Twist, Cuff, or Trim style finish (a wrinkle-free flapover style finish is also an option, see “additional services” below!). For a thick goatskin or calfskin, I will need to special order them, and the prices are slightly higher.
• repairing minor cracks
• oiling the shell if needed
• minor sanding/cleaning of the bearing edge
• all labor and materials for the above

Skin:

• Hair: choose between hairless goatskin, shaved to a stubble, or with regular hair. If you have a specific hair color, let me know. I usually have black, brown, and off-white in stock.
• Thickness: choose between thin, medium (default), or thick (special order).
• Skin Finish: choose how you would like the skin to be finished: Cuff / Flapover style, Twist, or Trim style (see photo to right [if you're reading this on a computer] or below [mobile]).
• I source most of my skins from Koma Drum (Guinea, Mali, Senegal) and Djembe Drums and Skins (Ivory Coast). 

Rope:

If your djembe needs new rope:

• For verticals: add $15 for whole drum. For drums with more than 30 loops/hitches - $20.
• For new cradles: $15 per ring. Includes new fabric wrap if desired (usually a good idea!)

I typically have several colors of 4.5mm - 5mm rope in stock, or I can source it from area stores or websites (cost will be a little higher) for specific colors and sizes. I also sometimes offer used rope in good condition for 1/2 the price (verticals only). This is rope I've taken off other drums that is still in great condition and I'd love to keep out of the landfill. I source my rope from Koma Drum and Djembe Drums and Skins. 

Rings:

If your djembe needs new rings:

• New rings are 1/4" cold-rolled steel rod and $15 per ring. I roll, weld, and finish them in-house.
• Resizing rings are also $15 per ring.
• If your current rings just need simple grinding or filing sharp edges, this is included in the basic repair price.

Additional Services:

• Wrinkle-Free Flapover Style Finish + $75
• Complete re-shaping and preparing the bearing edge + $75
• Total shell sanding and refinishing + $125 (several choices of finishes). If your shell has decorative carvings, this is probably not an option.
• Repairing major cracks + $25/hr plus cost of special materials [epoxy, wood filler, etc]. Major cracks are cracks that go all the way through the shell and the wood moves substantially when pressure is applied. This also covers holes through the shell, or other catastrophic conditions. 
• Adding tack decoration - $25/hr - Let's talk!

Tune Up:

If your drum just needs a tune-up, this service is billed hourly ($25/hr) with a minimum charge of $20, depending on the complexity and time it takes. For example, if you just need the head tightened with the weave technique or "diamonds", this is quick and cheap. If you need your drum's rope loosened completely and re-pulled, this is more expensive. If it's a simple 10-minute job, it'll be no charge. I'm also glad to teach you how to do this so you'll have the skill for the future.

Timing:

For re-heads, I can usually get your drum done in 2 weeks or less, depending on the weather, my schedule, and the queue of instruments at the time. Your drum will be returned to you tight and sounding great! I'll also advise you on how to take care of your djembe, including wood and goatskin care. If you need a faster turn-time, I can sometimes accommodate that.

Shipping Your Drum:

If you are not in my area and still would like to discuss a repair involving shipping your drum: all repair charges are the same, and there is an added $25 handling fee per drum (this is due to the added work and time it takes to pack and ship). Make sure you pack your drum really well: enclose the drum in a plastic garbage bag, choose a strong corrugated cardboard box, use lots of padding inside so the contents don’t shift around, and tape it well. This may seem like common sense to some, but I’ve worked at UPS and believe me: a well-packed, sturdy box sustains the least, if any, damage. I’ve received way too many boxes with holes, gaps, and drums bouncing around to not feel compelled to mention: Pack it well, please! 

The best box to use is the Uhaul Dish Barrel® Box – Heavy-Duty Dish Packing Box – 18” x 18” x 28”. It can be ordered online or purchased in-person at many local Uhaul locations (check online or call ahead!) Smaller than full-size drums can use a smaller box and save a bit on shipping costs. I will reuse this box and packing material when I return your drum, otherwise a new box and padding will be added to your total. 

My current preferred shipping service is UPS Ground. For an average sized/weight djembe, the cost is usually around $65. Arranging pre-paid return shipping is a plus. My clients have had success with UPS and FedEx using this method. If you'd like to estimate your shipping, use Pittsboro, NC 27312.

Other Types of Repairs:

Yes, I do plenty of other types of instrument repairs! I repair ashikos, koras (my other specialty besides djembes), ngonis, congas, bongos, kalimbas, and other hand percussion instruments. Just get in touch, as each of these jobs are unique and require all different kinds of work.

To Schedule:

To inquire about a repair, just get in touch using the Contact page. My studio workshop is in Pittsboro, NC, 27312 (population 4,712!)