Post #209098 by GMAN on Fri, Jan 20, 2006 4:44 PM

Hewey, BK, Loki, Moondance, and Jungle Trader,

Thanks for stopping by and commenting on the Maori and the croc. I'm having a lot of fun with these two guys.

To answer Kirby's question: I've seen them made of palm but do not know how they would sound. I wanted to use a nice hardwood for a real sweet pitch. From what I know, the slit at the top is the opening you use to hollow the bugger out good. You leave the top edges thicker than the sides and the bottom as that is where you strike it. Benz says to think of a car tire cut in cross section. The tone depends on the size of the cavity and the density of the wood and, to a lesser extent, the implement used to strike it. I imagine you could make one out of any wood if necessary. If you choose a palm, use one that gets real hard, like coconut. I made mine out of mahogany. When I finish it it should have a real nice sound. Look up "slit drum" "slit gong" or "crocodile slit drum" on the internet and look at some PNG sites. There should be lots of pics and ideas for you out there.

Loki, to set the abalone eyes in the Maori I am going to cut pockets in the face deep enough to securely hold the shell in place and keep them flush. I will then drill a 3/8" hole through the center of the shell and in the corresponding position in the eye socket of the Maori. Then I will make a wooden peg with a slight taper and a rounded head that will secure the shell to the carving (Benz says "like a guitar tuning peg - only different"). If I want to add an adhesive, BK has recommended super glue gel.

Thanks for all the comments and support.

-Gman