Drums For Sale
Home About Chas Teaching Bands Drums For Sale Video/DVD CD's Books Links

F.A.Q.

Q: I am new to this or I am buying for someone else and I do not know what to buy. I know that a lot of these type of drums are very poorly made - how do I know yours are any good ?

A: I have been playing these drums for almost 20 years. I have played hundreds of them in my time. I own many drums made by many different makers in my personal collection. I hand pick ALL the drums I have for sale - I refuse any which I would not be happy to use and perform with myself. If necessary, I "renovate" drums which I know to be good drums and replace the heads, work on the drum shell as well as refreshing their external appearance, to bring them to their best. All these drums will sound different to each other due to many factors and all you need to do is decide what sound you like and which ones appeal to you visually and what your budget is. If you know what it is you are looking for and are unable to visit me to try them out - I have filmed many of the drums so you can see and hear them. If you are unhappy for any reason with your drum I will refund you the cost of the drum as long as the buyer pays for return postage and the drum is in the same condition as sent.

 

PRICE LIST - ARABIC DRUMS AND PERCUSSION.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Payment can be done through PayPal, Bank Transfer or Cheque. Postage is extra to the price of the drum and will vary accordingly. N.B. for orders outside of the U.K. - postage of heavy items like Darabukas can be very expensive adding around £50 - £100 to the total cost, please think seriously if you can afford that before asking me to work out postage costs. For UK orders; a darabuka is approximately £15.00 per darabuka.

Choose a preferred payment option and then please contact me : chas@arabicdrum.co.uk .

You may arrange to visit me to try out any drum - email me for details.

 

 

DARABUKAS - N.B. dimensions refer to the actual playing surface of the drum head / skin and then the height of the drum.

DOHOLLAS
Description Photo - Click To Enlarge Cost
DOUMBAKAH
Turkish Doumbakah - with bag,

10" x 21¾"
25.4cm x 55cm

To view this drum being played click here -

http://youtu.be/A5zXerwirsc

£85.00
SOMBATIS
Description Photo - Click To Enlarge Cost
MOHAMMED EL ARABI

These drums were handpicked by myself on my last visit to Egypt. Outstanding quality which is the best I have ever seen. Flawless Mother Of Pearl decoration, beautifully smooth colour co-ordinated painted interiors, very heavy build and they have all had the cheap Mylar heads replaced with top of the range new heads. These drums also come with ROCKBAG carry cases which are sturdy enough to protect these drums, these bags are worth £30.00.

This is about as good as it gets and I do not know if I will be going to Egypt again any time soon, this could be the last chance to get one of these fantastic drums.

El Arabi Sombati - Signature Egyptian Mother-Of-Pearl Sombati. Head replaced with white Powerbeat. "ROCKBAG" brand case - very well padded, adjustable strap, handle and large zippered pocket.

9" x 18" 
22.86cm x 46cm

Weight - 5.1 kgs.

       

   

   

 

To view this drum being played click here -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT3Tv8wDBtQ

£300.00
El Arabi Sombati - Signature Egyptian Mother-Of-Pearl Sombati. Head replaced with REMO Cleartone. "ROCKBAG" brand case - very well padded, adjustable strap, handle and large zippered pocket.

9" x 18" 
22.86cm x 46cm

Weight - 5.4 kgs. 

             

   

   

To view this drum being played click here -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMbFnlQLEvg

£300.00
El Arabi Sombati - Signature Egyptian Mother-Of-Pearl Sombati. Head replaced with REMO Skyndeep. "ROCKBAG" brand case - very well padded, adjustable strap, handle and large zippered pocket.

9" x 18" 
22.86cm x 46cm

Weight - 5 kgs. 

               

 

To view this drum being played click here -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQsKU660JFU

£300.00
SAID EL ARTIST

This drum has been handpicked direct from the makers of the signature drums made for the Said El Artist range.

A professional model drum from one of Egypt's top professional players.

Said El-Artist - Signature Egyptian Mother-Of-Pearl Sombati with soft bag. Head replaced with Powerbeat. Soft bag included.

9" x 18" 
22.86cm x 46cm

Weight - 4.9 kgs.

         

 To view this drum being played click here -

http://youtu.be/T5nnmso-110

£230.00
GAWHARET EL FAN

These drums have been handpicked direct from the GEF factory in Cairo. These drums have excellent Mother Of Pearl inlay work with a thick protective layer of lacquer and smooth painted interiors. The drums have had the original heads replaced with REMO range heads.

Description Photo - Click To Enlarge Cost
Gawharet El Fan Old Model - Signature Egyptian Mother-Of-Pearl Sombati with soft case. Head replaced with REMO Skyndeep.

This was my personal performing Sombati - I have now switched to a Khamis Henksih Sombati. This drum lost a piece of MOP which I have filled in with transparent glue - please see photo for detail. It does not affect the sound or playing of the drum in any way.

9" x 18¾" 
22.86cm x 46.7cm

Weight - 4.6 kgs.

   

 

  To view this drum being played click here -

http://youtu.be/dKYyBomwOmo

£230.00

Gawharet El Fan Old Model - Signature Egyptian Mother-Of-Pearl Sombati with soft case. Head replaced with REMO Cleartone.

Unusual height - in-between standard Darabuka and Sombati size and lightweight but great sound.

9" x 17" 
22.86cm x 43.2cm

Weight - 4.1 kgs.

 

            

   

To view this drum being played click here -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_BAfhaV-do

£200.00

DARABUKAS
ASSORTED BRANDS

N.B. - A word on any bag supplied with these drums. The manufacturers do NOT make quality bags for these drums and many come to me without any bag at all, or they are often in poor condition. Even those in good condition will not last long and you are best off investing in a decent quality drum bag ( see below ). For these drums please look at it that you are paying for the drum and any bag is thrown in for free.

I identified all these drums as being of a high quality and I have refurbished them and added quality heads to produce some particularly good looking and sounding drums.

Description Photo - Click To Enlarge Cost

Turkish Darbuka - Black with Headliner head. With bag ( poor condition ).

8.66" x 17.72" 
22cm x 45cm

 

To view this drum being played click here -

http://youtu.be/R3rNk1o1H8Y

£80.00

Rare Egyptian " 4 - Bolter " - Head replaced with Cumbus. NO BAG.

 7.67"" x 17.72" 
 20cm x 40.6cm

Weight - 3.1 kgs.

       

To view this drum being played click here -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaDvHm4Jcaw

£80.00

     
     
     
ALEXANDRIAN

Egyptian mass producers of instruments .

Description Photo - Click To Enlarge Cost

Egyptian Mother-Of-Pearl Darabuka. Head replaced with Cumbus white. Comes with soft bag as pictured.

( N.B. you may request a different £25 soft bag from below )

8¾" x 16½" 
22.2cm x 41.5cm

Weight - 3.1 kgs.

A       

   

To view this drum being played click here -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJhlDDpFEAg

£85.00

Egyptian Mother-Of-Pearl Darabuka Comes with soft bag as pictured.

( N.B. you may request a different £25 soft bag from below )

8¾" x 16½" 
22.2cm x 41.5cm
 

B   

To view this drum being played click here -

 http://youtu.be/KYtUvHv8dGw


D  

 

To view this drum being played click here -

http://youtu.be/u_Z2m9jEe5A


 

To view this drum being played click here -

http://youtu.be/NufsQlyqAKo

£80.00
ZEYNEL ABIDIN CUMBUS

Respected instrument makers from Istanbul since 1900.

Description Photo - Click To Enlarge Cost
Turkish "Cümbüs make" Darabuka - with bag and Allen key. In Copper, Silver and Blue colours.

N.B. The drum you get may not be this one but will sound very similar.

8¾" x 16½" 
22.2cm x 41.5cm

    

    

 

To view one of these drums being played click here -

http://youtu.be/nQov-0T-jg0

£65.00

 

Turkish Darabuka with internal tambourine and bag.

8" x 15¼"

20.5cm x 38.5cm

    

To view this drum being played click here -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZS9IvnsbH8Q

£50.00

Ghanaian Djembe - perfect size to play as darabuka with very natural organic sound. Various sizes between 8"-9" and 15"-17"

£50.00

All my drums are hand picked and tuned by myself and I consider all of my drums to be perfectly fine for students of all levels, if you are looking for top quality drums but with a different style of decoration, then I would like to refer you to the HOSSAM RAMZY SIGNATURE range of drums These drums are made under the supervision of Hossam and are of the finest quality you will find. I do not sell these drums but I am very happy to direct you to Hossam's site where you can find more information about the instruments and how to purchase. Currently there are only tablas listed, but soon there will be Hossam's signature Riqs, Duffs, Mazhars and Sagat. CLICK HERE

 

DRUM HEADS

N.B. Darabukas do vary in their exact dimensions around the rim ( Shamber ) for fitting the head and the heads will vary also in size. I try to describe the following as accurately as possible. To ensure you order the right one for your drum measure the widest distance from the OUTSIDE of the metal rim on your drum which the head goes over, and compare to these measurements which are from the widest point of the rim INSIDE the drum head. Very occasionally the depth of the head may be too deep or shallow to fit easily on your drum - you will need to do the following -  TOO SHALLOW - you need to screw down the head as far as it will go - take a tea towel and fold it once and place on the drum head - take a hot iron and iron the head through the tea towel for around 30 secs - this will loosen the plastic head momentarily and then you can screw down the bolts a little further - you may will need to repeat this process a few times before the head will become flush with the rim. TOO DEEP ( very unlikely ) - you can put a piece of nylon cord just on top of the crimp ring, cut to length and join the ends with tape. So now there is now something for the rim to screw down on, also you can try using an old head rim without the plastic. Both the above situations are unlikely to occur but if so try these solutions. I will refund any UNUSED head, buyer meets the postage cost to return. Please contact me if you need further help.

Logo Removing - If you do not want the brand logo on your drum head you can remove them using this method. Buy some Cutex Nail Polish Remover and apply some to a towel/cloth/material and then scrub the logo on the drum head. It may take a while and if the material you are using gets very black from the removed dye, then reapply some more with a clean piece of material. Some logos are more stubborn than others and a soft washing up scrubbing pad may be needed. Eventually the logo should be all removed - N.B. there will most likely be a "ghost" image left on the head which is barely visible.

Description Photo - Click To Enlarge Cost
REMO Skyndeep Diplomat 9" or 22.86cm - will fit most standard size Sumbati drums.

OUT OF STOCK

£22.00

OUT OF STOCK

Powerbeat 9" or 22.86cm - will fit most standard size Sumbati drums.

£22.00
REMO Skyndeep Diplomat 8.75" or 22.22cm - will fit most standard size Darabukas.

£20.00
REMO Skyndeep Diplomat 8.625" or 21.90cm - will fit most standard size Darabukas.

OUT OF STOCK

£20.00

OUT OF STOCK

Mitello 8.70" or 22.1cm " Diameter - will fit most standard size Darabukas.

OUT OF STOCK

£18.00

OUT OF STOCK

Powerbeat 8.70" or 22.1cm " Diameter - will fit most standard size Darabukas.

£18.00

Cümbüs 8.66" or 22.cm " Diameter - will fit most standard size Darabukas.

 

£12.00

Turkish Emporium 10" or 25.5cm - will fit most standard size Dohollas.

£15.00

Turkish Emporium 8" or 20cm.

 

£10.00

Turkish Emporium 6.75" or 17cm.

£10.00

Turkish Emporium 6." or 15.2cm.

£10.00

Various makes - 8.650" or 22.2cm Diameter - Clear / White.

£5.00

BAGS
Description Photo - Click To Enlarge Cost

Mohammed el Arabi


Professional case for clay drum or large Sombati or Doholla.


Made from very strong nylon with internal extra polystyrene padding.


Features:
Double-slide zipper
Additional upright zipper
Carrying grip handle
Top cover flap.


56cm x 33cm x 22.86cm
(Height x Top diameter x Base diameter)


22.05 " x 13" x 9"
(Height x Top diameter x Base diameter)

 

 

   

 

   

£50.00

 

Large Egyptian Sombati Nylon Case.

Nylon exterior, interior has a soft cloth lining.

Features:

Double adjustable shoulder straps.
Carrying hand grip.
Zippered compartment for spare head ( not included )

48.26cm x 31.75cm x 22 cm
(Height x Top diameter x Base diameter)

19" x 12. ½ " x 8 2/3 "
(Height x Top diameter x Base diameter)

 

£35.00

Egyptian Darabuka Nylon Case.

Nylon exterior, interior has a soft cloth lining.

Features:

Double shoulder strap.
Zippered compartment for spare head ( not included )
Carrying hand grip.
 

45.72cm x 30cm x 20 cm

(Height x Top diameter x Base diameter)

 

18" x 11" x  8"

(Height x Top diameter x Base diameter)
 

   

£30.00

 
Egy Gawhara Darabuka Nylon Case.

Double shoulder strap.
Carrying grip.
External pocket.

 

45.72cm x 30cm x 20 cm

(Height x Top diameter x Base diameter)

 

18" x 11" x  8"

(Height x Top diameter x Base diameter)

 

£30.00

 

Egyptian made canvas bags to fit standard 8¾ " x 17" darabuka - with adjustable strap - various designs

1 2 3

£25.00

 

 

 
 

 

 

RIQS.

Measurements are diameter of the widest point and depth.

Description Photo - Click To Enlarge Cost
Gawharet El Fan - Standard model, external tuning, POWERBEAT plastic skin. Comes with a bag and allen key for tuning.

23cm x 6cm

   

To view one of these Riqs being played click here -

 http://youtu.be/bcEzsycoMqc

£40.00
Gawharet El Fan - Basic model, external tuning, plastic skin. Comes with a bag in poor condition, zip is broken and allen key for tuning.

23cm x 6cm

£30.00
 

 

 

FRAME DRUMS.

Description Photo - Click To Enlarge Cost

Remo  - 22". with Renaissance skins.

£50.00

Remo  16” with Renaissance skins.

OUT OF STOCK

£35.00

OUT OF STOCK

Remo  14” with Renaissance skins.

£31.25

Remo  12” with Renaissance skins.

£27.50

Remo  10” with Renaissance skins.

£23.75

Remo  8". with Renaissance skins.

£20.00

 

 

 
Zills / Sagat / Toura
Description Photo - Click To Enlarge Cost
Turkish Zills - 2¼" Diameter - with bag.

To view these zills being played click here -

http://youtu.be/m9DJcGtngOI

£15.00
Turkish Zills - 1¾ " Diameter - with bag.

£10.00
Video / DVD / CD / Books etc.

( N.B. Postage outside of the UK will be more )

Description Photo - Click To Enlarge Cost
Bodhran - Making and Playing the Irish Frame Drum - DVD

by Mog

£15.00 ( includes postage )
 Tabla: East to West (Spiral-bound)
by Harjit Singh Shah and Alex Mott

By combining the language of boles with the European & American systems of rhythm notation, this book is designed to act as a translation tool & enable both Eastern & Western musicians to more fully understand the music of each other's cultures.

£10.00 ( includes postage )
 The Bodhran Book (Paperback) with demo tape.
by Steafan Hannigan

£10.00 ( includes postage ) 
25 Essential Rhythms CD

by Uncle Mafufo

£8.00 ( includes postage )
Essential Darbuka Rhythms

by Fingers Of Fury ( Matt Stonehouse )

£8.00 ( includes postage )
Egyptian Dancing Video

with Hilary Thacker

features excellent drumming with Haggag Metqal on Tabla, Essam El Matrawi on Douf and Al Gamal ElSaghir on keyboards.

£8.00 ( includes postage )
Karnak CD

The music from the above advanced Video is available on this CD called KARNAK. Ideal for drummers or dancers. Includes four Egyptian rhythms played first on Darabuka and Douf and then set to music. Fifty two minutes.

£5.00 ( includes postage )
Sabla Tolo 1 - Journey into pure Egyptian Percussion CD

 by Hossam Ramzy 

£8.00 ( includes postage )
Turk/Arabic Mocca

by Hassani

25 tracks | 29 minutes

£5.00 ( includes postage )
Samasem

Drum Rhythms for Oriental Dance
 

CD ONLY - NO COVER

£5.00 ( includes postage )