WhoMe

Drums are fairly easy to obtain nowadays.

Good drum makers are in demand.

Superior drum makers are backed up in their orders.

Who do you consider a superior drum maker? My vote goes to Wiley Little Creek. You can tell his drums by their workmanship and sound. He has made drums for several champion northern AND southern drum groups.

Anybody else know of some great drum makers?

Also, approximately what do they charge for a 32 to 36 inch powwow drum?

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"Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture."

WhoMe

cree_raven_redsky

My uncle makes some Kick A$$ drums he always have he usually charges anywhere from $650-$850 some of the ones he sold were 32 by 18 and 36 by 18 or 36 by 16 nice sound he has when he makes 'em they don't have the bass"EEEEEEEEEEEEE" tone, it's more of the higher pitch not too high though sounds awesome.... He is from the Sweetgrass Singers anyhow he makes all their drums that they use.....

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cree_raven_redsky

ohya his name is Alvin Paskemin from Sweetgrass :D now i got to wait 60 seconds before i can post so im just wasting time here typing away and hoping its 60 seconds.....what 12 seconds just passed no way jose lol welll i'll just sit and wait some more lol ohkay starting now............................................... ...............................there i think i can lol

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durty-kawdayz49

What kinda hide does willie use? and cree same question?
how much does willie charge for his drums?
I've made two drums before. I used commerical hide,
big mistake never again they are too weak. I tried to scrap my own hide. I had noone to show me so I couldn't get the job done. I will keep trying next time I get some hide. I noticed that when the hide is scraped it is much stronger.
I like Henry Collins drums they are very well made and sound excellent. I think he carges around $800.95 for a drum...




Durty

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travelingmocs

Kickapoo Rice makes some really nice drums. I have seen Wileys drums and there awsome. There is another guy in White Eagle Oklahoma that does a good job but I have forgotten his name. He re did a drum for a friend of mine. I will have to look up his name........

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bigyellowbear49

I like the drums that Jim Fritz (sp) makes they are good sounding and stay tight. approx.size 31x16.sells for around $500,comes with a stand too.He learned from my Uncle Ted Moore,who also made outstanding drums............... :Thumbs :karate: :karate:

WhoMe

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byb49:

I agree. Jim and your late uncle made good drums.

However, I caution anybody reading this thread that "Jim Fritz is not reliable and does not keep his word."

I ordered a drum from him, gave him money in advance and told him the date that I needed it. Not only was the drum not made, but he took out money for "time and supplies" when he returned a portion of the money I sent him.

What goes around comes around.

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"Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture."

WhoMe

bqueton

I wouldn't go as far as to say that any drum maker is unreliable. When you're making drums, sometimes things just don't go right. When that happens you don't make those drums yet. Alot goes into making drums, not just physical part of getting supplies and making it; there is also the spiritual part of making that drum. And sometimes that spirit just isn't there. When that happens, wait till next spring and try again.

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If life is a waste of time and time is a waste of life; let's all get wasted together and have the time of our lives!

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Bque:

I understand the spiritual part. I'm not sure if Jim is Indian or not. It really doesn't matter. Making a good product that is functional, is what should matter.

The facts behind this is that an agreement was made, a date was agreed upon, a monetary amount was paid and a handshake was given (hence, somebodys word was given).

When someone gives his word, this should be his honor.

I don't buy "wait til' next spring and try again" when an agreement, money and a honorable handshake have been exchanged. Only because when next spring comes. . . I may get another "wait another year, it still doesn't feel right."

I have already been burned on some beadwork by paying in advance . . . this was five years ago.

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By the way bqueton, congratulations on being chosen head singer for the Annual Sac & Fox Powwow in Stroud.

__________________
"Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture."

WhoMe

bqueton

Thanks for the congrats. That was just my opinion. I do see your side in a way. If I was making drums, I would never agree on a date. I've seen drum makers take up to 5 years to deliver a drum. If it was my drum (which happens to be a Jim Fritz), I wouldn't want anything to be just slapped together. I've heard alot of drums out there that just don't carry any feeling at all.

On a second note, there was a drum that was made for the Kiowa Tia-Piah along time ago. Probably around the time I was born or just shortly after. I'm going to describe it so maybe some of you can remember it. It doesn't exist any longer cause someone that I will not name dismantled it and did who knows what with it. (Just as he did to a drum that Harrison Hunter made for the Texas Kiowa Tia-Piah.) It was made from a 30 gallon oil drum and was painted green on the sides. It had the Kiowa Tia-Piah Society Emblem painted on one the hides. It had a very high pitch to it. I don't know who made it or when it was made. I just know that I grew up hearing it. It was probably one of the first drums I ever sang on. And I would like to thank who ever made that drum cause it brought a lot feeling to my heart when I was growing up. That drum used to make me dance hard.

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If life is a waste of time and time is a waste of life; let's all get wasted together and have the time of our lives!

WhoMe

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bque:

By your response, I figured you had one of Jim's drums. *L I agree, I don't think anyone wants to own a drum that is "just slapped together." That is why I appreciate Wiley Little Creeks drum making talents. He is fast, efficient and reasonable in his prices.

LSister:

My dad used to own a drum with a bell in it. Any idea why bells were put inside powwow drums?

That is funny that you mention that Kickapoo can make drums that are high pitched on one side and lower on the other. Only because Kickapoo starts songs at an "extremely" high pitch. This is just his style.

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"Today, recognizing and respecting the origins of powwow aids in our Cultural Survival. If enough people break the rules because they are not satisfied...."We will have no culture."

WhoMe

sltate

Well, I don't know a whole lot about drums, but I know that when you want a drum made, it takes alot of time and effort. My husband and his brother, Tuba Todome, made a drum for MGM and it took all spring. They would work on it in the evenings, soaking the hide and the stretching it..working it and then they made everything on their own. It is an awesome drum. They were very serious about this drum, alot of prayer, etc. The next year, Tuba passed away and my husband was very thankful they spent that quality time together. Making a drum is as much spiritual as physical.
We have two drum made by the late George Nullake, that belonged to my late dad. Wiley is repairing one and the other is still in good shape. Both drums are several years old. My husband doesn't sing southern, but we have the drum for a keepsake. The other is for RG to use. Both are soundly constructed. Don't get burned on the purchase of drum, go with someone that is has proven their integrity. Also, allow for time, sometimes things have to take time to come together just right...just like preparing a regalia.