I have a Mridangam with hooks (Like the one displayed here at http://www.aacm.org/shop/product43.html).
The treble head of the drum takes a 6-inch head, and I'm wondering if it will be in any way inadvisable to put a 6-inch Vishnu tabla head on rather than a head designed for Mridang. I have gotten mridang heads before and found that I have a hard time getting the tabla bols which I want from them.
Another related question: Is there any reason why I should not use the black goop for the inside of the bass head of my Mridang? I know that people sometime use poster putty or silicone, but I have observed that the black tar gives a better tone after it's been played for a while.
If the size is right and you like the sound why not :-) . . . Where do you get YOUR black "goop" from :-) . . . sometimes called "marsala" . . . commonly a "dough" ball is used on the outside of the Base head for the Mrdnga . . . and Marsala for Dolaks and less classical instruments
Well I ordered my new head from Silverbush music in Ca. and he said he would include some of the black goop.
When I purchased my drum, it came with black goop in it, but when I got my next bass head, it did not so I replaced it with poster putty. The poster putty sounds fine, and it is easy enough to work with to get the sound I want - but I have noticed that drums with the black goop in them can develop an incredible sustain in the bass head. I once took the head off and was amazed at the pattern the goop had formed itself in. It looked as if it was arranging intself in some way to complement the vibrational modes of the drum head.
The only disadvantage to the goop seems to be the fact that if the drum is left sitting on its side on a hot hot day, the goop could all melt and slide down so that it's not on the center of the head. It could even get on the inside of the drum and make a mess.
Still, if I can get a nicer sound, I'm willing to store my drum on end during hot days
Well we have a great Mridagam player here in Austin his name is Satish Pathakota.
And he uses Silly Putty , you can buy in the kid section . He just places it strategically on the outside
and he gets a great sound .
Hope that helps
Warren
http://www.angelfire.com/music3/tabla
