Here’s my testimonial about my experience with Djembe Life Drums and David. When it comes to drums, there’s an incredible variety of woods used, and until I crossed paths with David, I never really considered how much the type of wood or the weight of the drum could impact its sound. I’ve always been focused on the skin—because with a great skin, you can enhance the sound of almost any drum.
I’ve seen this first-hand in the conga community, where Mexican drums often get a bad rap, but I’ve heard them come alive with the right skin selection and proper mounting. Conversely, you can’t just slap a poor-quality skin onto a great drum and expect it to sound good. It’s all about choosing the right skin to amplify the drum’s voice.
I’ve learned that every time you change the skin on a djembe, even if it’s the same type and done by the same builder, the sound will change. This principle is crucial; I made the mistake of using skins that were too thin on my junior tirade congas, and they turned out sounding terrible. I had to switch to bleached cowhide because the Honduran mahogany was excessively resonant, and I needed a skin that could balance that resonance. That’s just one example, but it underscores how vital skin choice is.
Now, onto my experience with David. About six or seven years ago, I was teaching a group class at a friend’s house, who happens to be a drum builder as well. David came to check things out and brought along several of his drums. I had met him briefly before, but I hadn’t really talked with him at length. At the time, I was playing a lovely Wula drum with goat skin. One of my students, also named Michael, nudged me to try one of David’s drums.
To be honest, my initial reaction was skepticism because David’s drums didn’t have the flap-over cuff design I was so fond of. My friend Michael insisted I give it a shot, so I thought, “Why not?” When I struck the drum, I was completely blown away by how incredible it sounded! I began playing and found myself astonished, looking at Michael, who was laughing at my surprise as if to say, “I told you so.” I went on to play all of David’s drums, and each one surpassed my expectations—not just by a little, but significantly.
The moment I played his personal drum made from heavy djalla wood, weighing in at around 32 lbs, I realized it was producing my ideal sound. I had previously had some negative experiences with djalla wood and thought I wouldn’t like it, but David’s heavy shells changed my perspective entirely. Sure, it’s a bit of a workout to carry, but the sound? Unbelievable!
Without hesitation, I asked David if he could build me a drum. He agreed, and that was the start of a wonderful friendship. Since then, he has crafted at least six drums for me and performed around twenty reheads. I’m not exaggerating. Whenever I travel to Thailand, I find that many of my drums end up needing attention; whether it’s the humidity or they’re just unhappy with me for not playing them often—I’m not sure! But David and I keep each other busy with drum care.
I had never considered buying or playing a heavy drum, or one made out of Djalla wood or using Mali spotted skins, which I am now using every chance I get!
That’s all from David! He also makes and excels at light weight, medium weight, small and all kinds of other drums as well. It’s just what hit the sweet spot for my personal tastes.
What I want to convey about David’s drums is simple: forget the cost, even though he offers the best pricing in the business. There’s something unique about the sound he achieves. It’s evident that he has an extraordinary talent and has developed amazing skills to produce a particular quality of sound in every drum he makes.
If he doesn’t achieve that sound on the first try, he’ll change the skin two or three times until he does! Honestly, he might be making pennies an hour with the effort he puts in. It’s truly remarkable; he won’t let anything leave his shop unless it sounds incredible.
He may not appreciate me saying this, but jokingly, I call his creations “weapons for babies” because every drum is professional-quality and worthy of a djembe solo. Yet many of his drums are perfect for beginners too. That’s just my playful nature coming through.
David is easy to talk to—whether on the phone or in person. He’ll make you a custom drum or repair your existing one, and I guarantee it will sound fantastic, likely even better than new. You’re bound to be thrilled with the results. This is my personal experience, and it’s why I rave about how great he is. David truly deserves the praise, and that’s why I wrote this testimonial.
Here is a video of the incredible master drummer M’Bemba Bangoura playing my drum David made for me: https://www.facebook.com/michael.pluznick/videos/235773415202117
You can reach David on Facebook: David Joseph Hernandez (Djembe Life) or better yet, give him a call or text: +1 310-245-3388 and his website is: https://djembelife.com
