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tabla_crazy
Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 07, 2004 02:13 p.m.

I'm thinking of placing an order for the deluxe tabla set from bangadrum.com
The item is linked below.
Have any of you purchased this set or any other set from this place?
If so how would you rate the quality of thier tablas?
Thankyou very much!
http://www.bangadrum.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=bad&Product_Code=TAB-50&Category_Code=india
Andrew
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 07, 2004 03:43 p.m.

Looks simliar to the tablas that kalakendar sells, http://www.kalakendar.com/percussion1.asp?pageno=3
swansong
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 07, 2004 04:56 p.m.

you're in luck! I purchased this exact set last summer for slightly more, except my bayan had slightly different engraving. These tablas come from DMS-Bina in Delhi and in my humble opinion sound pretty good. I have been playing for about 8 months now and bought my set the day the drums arrived in the big packing crate. It would be ideal if you could try out the different dayans but I'm assuming you will order online. The only thing I didn't like was that the gatta (wooden pegs) were slightly different sizes, and the head was a bit low pitched (around G-A) because it was newly shipped and I had to pull the straps tighter to get up to C pitch. I spent another $10 getting new pegs and I'm perfectly happy. The craftsmanship is good, no obvious defects and the sound is crisp and clear. I think my set sounds more defined and louder than several of the sets I have heard that came from Delhi and Calcutta. Anyway, the owner's name is Chris and he's a swell guy, he'll answer all your questions and he will do his best to get you the best possible instrument, he's very honest and truly wants to satisfy his customers. Just make sure you ask for the "premium heads," anything cheaper is crap. If you do order tell him Emmanuel from UCLA recommended you. Good luck!

-swansong
Aanaddha
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 07, 2004 09:43 p.m.

Just a friendly note of clarification:
Bangadrum, Kalakendar, and DMS-Bina are Merchant/ Importers/ Exporters by trade. They do not make instruments. They buy instruments of various grades in lots from a variety of makers and place their own store labels upon them. Chances are equal that two instruments from the same merchant would be unlike as they would be identical.
:-) aanaddha

.
Andrew
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 08, 2004 12:39 p.m.

Aanaddha (Jan 07, 2004 09:43 p.m.):
Just a friendly note of clarification:
Bangadrum, Kalakendar, and DMS-Bina are Merchant/Importers/Exporters by trade. They do not make instruments. They buy instruments of various grades in lots from a variety of makers and place their own store labels upon them. Chances are equal that two instruments from the same merchant would be unlike as they would be identical.
:-) aanaddha

.

I think it would be also fair to say, that NONE of the importers here in the usa make their own products they are very similar, everyone here puts their own label on their product to promote his/her business.
And just a friendly clarification aanddha, The is no more a DMS-Bina, There is DMS which is owned/operated by Inni Singh and there is Bina which is operated by JP Singh. Its a common mistake, but the companies are completly different, as far as goal setting. A good example would be Sanjay Sharma of Rikhi Ram and Bishan Das Sharma of Rikhi Ram. Its actually very clear on the websites for these merchants.
:-) Andrew
tabla_crazy
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 08, 2004 01:47 p.m.

Andrew and swansong. .
Thankyou guys for the input.
I'm thinking to call both places
and find out more details before
I make the decision. I'm in no position
to visit either store to make the purchase
So I will just go with the gut feeling
after I speak to them . .:-)

Aanaddha-

Considering tablas are handcrafted items
I do not expect any two sets to be identical,
even if they were made and sold by the same guy.
More than anything I wanted to get a general
feel about the merchant from past customers.
swansong
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 08, 2004 04:40 p.m.

All comments are very true and much appreciated. My set has "DMS-Bina" stamped on it in purple, but I'm pretty sure Bangadrum gets them from JP Singh, though you can ask. My point is that even if you find a better price, feel out the merchant on the phone with some serious questions and you'll know where they stand in terms of dedication to service, honesty, and product quality. Anyone who hesitates or is inconsistent does not know what they are selling. Do not trust anyone that says "these are the highest quality tablas" because that means nothing.

I was very satisfied with my purchase at bangadrum (he even sold me a cosmetically damaged case at a huge discount), and I know the owner personally thus I can assure you he will do his best to make sure you are satisfied. Obviously, saving $20-40 with a cheaper merchant (or saving $1-200 buying from india direct!) is not worth the peace of mind in knowing you can trust someone to select the best possible tablas for you. have fun.
The Bad Ustad
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 08, 2004 11:40 p.m.

Chances are equal that two instruments from the same merchant would be unlike as they would be identical.
:-) aanaddha
I'm afraid this is more incorrect information by aanaddha. While the companies mentioned don't manufacture the tablas on the premise - many regularly purchase their tablas from the same maker for years. Any handmade instrument will vary from piece to piece but there are respectable instrument makers that are known for their reliability when it comes to quality control. BINA does in fact make their dayans and buys the bayans from a foundry. As to the price: it's way too high! I have seen pretty much the same pair of tablas at Buckinham and Keshav Music for about $275-$300.00 with case etc. $380.00 for tablas not made by a famous artisan is outrageous! A ripoff. Look around Dude! Bang-a-drum are like the K-Mart of the drum world. Buy your tablas from someplace that actually knows something about Indian music. Please!
The Bad Ustad
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 08, 2004 11:51 p.m.

I just saw this . . . and had to comment.

[quote]swansong (Jan 08, 2004 04:40 p.m.):
My set has "DMS-Bina" stamped on it in purple, but I'm pretty sure Bangadrum gets them from JP Singh,"

Sound of "quiz show - wrong answer buzzer" Ahhhhhhh!
DMS BINA and "BINA" are two seperate and distinct entities. In fact now DMS has cut out the word "BINA" from their company logo. The two companies are virulent competiors. If your tabla says: DMS it was originally purchased from Delhi Musical Stores. Though they sell to shops all over the world, their main distributor in the USA is Keshav Music Imports where you can get the same tablas for about $100.00 less.
And now for the Lightning Round!
Aanaddha
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 09, 2004 08:53 a.m.

[quote]The Bad Ustad (Jan 08, 2004 11:40 p.m.):
"BINA does in fact make their dayans and buys the bayans from a foundry."

I was unaware of this practice. I have never owned a BINA instrument, However, the BINA instruments I have seen are, to be polite, unimpressive. I do not sell tablas nor do I make any blanket recomendations concerning retailers.

B.U. is correct in his summation. You will likely get neither price nor quality from a retailer who also sells clothing.
It is my firm but humble common-sense opinion that if you accept the HIGH RISK - of buying "On-line" - RETURNS ON SUCH MERCHANDISE IS VERY RARELY ACCEPTED UNDER ANY CONDITIONS -then the chances are probably less than 1 in 100 that you will own an instrument (tablas, sitars, tanpuras, whatever) that will not have various technical flaws or that you will enjoy playing for an extended period of time.

Aanaddha
ross
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 09, 2004 12:44 p.m.

Why cannot a clothing merchant sell good instruments?
when a computer engineer can be a good musician and in some indian musical sites, musical instrument sellers can sell marble statues?
do you think they are compromising on instruments or statues in this case?
Aanaddha
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 09, 2004 02:13 p.m.

ross (Jan 09, 2004 12:44 p.m.):
why cannot a clothing merchant sell good instruments?
when a computer engineer can be a good musician and in some indian musical sites, musical instrument sellers can sell marble statues?
do you think they are compromising on instruments or statues in this case?

Dear Ross,
Apparently some people cannot even read.
- I wrote ". .not likely. ."
- nowhere did I even imply that such a case was impossible.
I happen to believe that person who does many things is NOT LIKELY to be as adept as the person who is specialized.
You may think of yourself as a musician but you are - NOT LIKELY - to get a professional position with All India Radio even though you are an expert computer engineer.
:-)
Aanaddha
Andrew
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 09, 2004 03:30 p.m.

I saw that remark too, Ross, I didn't like the way Andadaa said it aswell.

Personally, I have purchased an instrument from a clothing store, and not only got a good deal but also good customer service, and a great product. (teacher approved).

'One should not generalize or criticize someone that they have not dealt with'

Might also want to check your facts, im sure the instructors listed on the website have also approved thier products to thier students. . . . .
swansong
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 09, 2004 03:38 p.m.

The Bad Ustad (Jan 08, 2004 11:51 p.m.):
I just saw this . . . and had to comment.

[quote]swansong (Jan 08, 2004 04:40 p.m.):
My set has "DMS-Bina" stamped on it in purple, but I'm pretty sure Bangadrum gets them from JP Singh,"

Sound of "quiz show - wrong answer buzzer" Ahhhhhhh!
DMS BINA and "BINA" are two seperate and distinct entities.

Well if you were truly reading this was already mentioned above in this post. And I'm not trying to fool anyone, DMS-BINA is in fact stamped on my drum in purple ink, possibly because I bought them in June. Aha. . .


Though they sell to shops all over the world, their main distributor in the USA is Keshav Music Imports where you can get the same tablas for about $100.00 less.

Why not then just have them directly imported Mr. Smarty Pants Ustad? you will save even more money that way since that seems to be your prime objective in this discussion. Bottom line is go with someone that deserves your trust, don't hesitate to hassle the merchant for as much info as possible. If you call yourself an USTAD then you're no better than the BEENKAR on the sitar forum. I don't think non-Indians deserve Indian titles unless they're wanna-be's. =P
ross
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 10, 2004 07:48 a.m.

Hello aanadhaa,
you wrote 'likely'
read it again my friend.
here is what it is like:
father runs a business of chicken, son is a saint.
would the son be able to achieve enlightenment???

i am not starting an arguement, but your comment was wrong. it actually didn't make any sense. .
The Bad Ustad
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 10, 2004 11:24 a.m.

First off, I would like to apologize to Annaddha � as I should
not have come off so aggressively. Also � it was after I posted
that I realized that someone had already pointed out that
BINA and DMS were not the same company. I read too fast.
As regards buying instruments from a store that
sells clothing etc etc., it's my experience that stores that
SPECIALIZE in one thing tend to know more about it
than stores that try to cover every base. It just stands to reason.
�Jack of all trades and master of none. - and all that. If you
paid $380.00 for DMS tables it proves my point. Does it not?
As to your misquided "smarty pants" remark, Have you priced
Fedex or UPS shipping from Delhi anytime lately? Also . . .
Much more importantly if you buy anything from India direct,
regardless of how respectable the company is you CAN NOT
RETURN IT! Doh! Didn't think of that did you? BTW � I think
you will find if you look around that internet shops that have
�liberal return policies� are just about always the ones that are
overcharging. That's HOW they can afford to offer these policies.
That my friend is false economy. I don't know what the policies are at Buckingham and Keshav Music but I know they have good prices and good reps. I wouldn't buy tablas from a shop that sells lamps and T-shirts anymore than I would have brain surgery at an auto body-shop.
As to my Email moniker you assume that I am an Angreze but you are wrong. And as far as Westerners with Hindu spiritual names
are concerned I have no problem with it. I have many American
and European friends who have been honored by their Gurus
with spiritual names. This is something that is frequently misunderstood by Americans. And if Benkar-ji wants to have
a nickname what's your problem with that? I suppose guys
named Bub, or Tex or Jr. or whatever are all posers? Nicknames
are a longtime fixture of good old American culture. You should watch "The Sopranos" some time.
cant take the b.s.
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 10, 2004 08:56 p.m.

B. U why not just admit who you are, it is very obvious to me, and I would assume others that you are the same person that logs on with a bunch of different identities then tries to lead people to your business. Not only are you rude and condescending you are dishonest .You have been caught before making personal attacks on people in the same line of work as you just to try to boost your sales (cheap and low). You don't even have the sense to change you writing style or the angle from which you try to lead people. This may seem harsh to some people but I think if you look at some of the threads in the sitar site and the harmonium site you will see what I mean, always trying to scare people into thinking everyone is trying rip them off while promoting the same line of instruments then throw in a comment about how they can be purchased at. . . . . . .com. In addition you always seem to insult the very people you are trying to court. Next you will come back with the one about how don't have time for this because you are a professional musician and are too busy practicing. We have heard your sales pitch and are sick of it,


When this thread was started it was to see if anyone had purchased from this particular dealer before and what their experience was. Swansong answered in a friendly and helpful fashion, now you have to come in with the same tired old song you've been singing since you were Prabu YOU AINT FOOLIN NO ONE. I may be wrong but I don't think this is really helping you in the long run. If you insist on using this site as your mouthpiece the i suggest promoting your site on its strength rather than bashing everybody else.

I appoligize for the negative post but I just can't take the b.s.
The Bad Ustad
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 11, 2004 10:41 a.m.

You are sooo wrong. There are a lot of people out there who do overcharge and rip people off. That's just a fact. "If the shoe fits." I don't have a photographic memory and don't recall who else exactly is supposed to have agreed with me about this or that, but if another two people both agree about a common perception, that doesn't make them the same person. In the end - I haven't tried to make anybody paranoid. Just cautious and aware. Your accusation about me being multiple personalities is like George Bush accusing everyone who disagrees with him, of being a danger to national security. We all know what BS that is - and the same goes for people like yourself who can't stand to be proven wrong. In my posts I have had favorable things to say about Rikhi Ram, Manoj Kumar, Buckingham Music, DMS, Sitars Etc. and a few other places. Do you really believe I am all those people? Do you think any of these well established companies need any help from me? Do you think that the twenty or so people who scan this forum at any given time are going to sway the fortunes of these companies? That's ludicrous! Everybody who passes through this forum could boycott one of the companies mentioned here and it wouldn't put a dent in the sales at AACM or Bangadrum or whatever. This isn't exactly CNN here. It's just a little forum read by a a handful of enthusiasts. Talk about a tempest in a teapot! Also, while you are making preachy accusations about people allegedly having multiple personalities, you are using one yourself Mr. Can't Stand The BS. Are trying to be ironic? Talk about calling the kettle black.
djwow
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 11, 2004 11:47 a.m.

While the girls are kissing, I'll step in here and say that Bang A Drum is a fantastic store, run by a couple who are genuinely friendly and passionate about drumming. I have shopped there and have met the owners. They have several drum classes and are a bit of an oasis for the drumming community in Los Angeles. They also have great teachers and workshops.

And although they are not tabla specialists per se, and I have NOT bought my tabla there, I have seen that they do their best to satisfy the customer.
The Bad Ustad
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 11, 2004 12:13 p.m.

[quote]djwow (Jan 11, 2004 11:47 a.m.):
I'll step in here and say that Bang A Drum is a fantastic store, run by a couple who are genuinely friendly and passionate about drumming. I have shopped there and have met the owners. They have several drum classes and are a bit of an oasis for the drumming community in Los Angeles. They also have great teachers and workshops.

Nice to hear it. Now lets hope this week's Net Nanny doesn't accuse djwow of being the owner of Bangadrum.
Aanaddha
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 11, 2004 01:12 p.m.

Every week someone writes to this forum asking where to buy a tabla. And, every week someone writes to this forum to ask how he can tune the drum he just purchased.
There are links on this very page for answers to both questions if you'd take the time to look at the index to this site.

https://chandrakantha.com/suppliers/

https://chandrakantha.com/tablasite/articles/repair2.htm#TUNING

There is also a link to a list of bona-fide teachers, gurus, Ustads, and Pandits who will help you to purchase a table and help you to tune it besides ultimately teaching you how to play it correctly.

https://chandrakantha.com/teachers/

I know we think we're helping someone by providing recommendation but in the end all we seem to be providing is dissent. Let the newbies do the work for themselves, and if they're really serious they'll get the information they'll need and learn more in the process.
No one has the best tablas and no one has the best prices. We all have the perfect teacher -let's leave it at that.

Aanaddha
The Bad Ustad
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 11, 2004 02:19 p.m.

Dear Anadhha,
In a perfect world your solution would work. And it can, just so long as people don't go making personal attacks and throwing unproved accusations at people who are trying to express a view different than their own. If someone asks: "Is so-and-so place overpriced? and another person says "Yes, why don't you try blah blah blah"., it doesn't make them a promotion whore. Sometime the Pollyanish self-righteous types that haunt this forum are a real pain. You can't say: "Don't walk into a hole. You'll break your neck." without someone accusing you of negativity. Some folks gots to lighten up y'all. Nuff said.
Burtie
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 11, 2004 06:12 p.m.

Yes, I purchased a set of deluxe tablas from Bang a Drum
in April of 2003. Very good conditioned drums. both drum
heads were good quality. Very easy to tune both dayan
drums. The 5 1/4 inch drum tuned to a high C and the 5 3/4
inch drum tuned to an A. I have been playing my tablas for
some time now and I can honestly say that I'm quite satisfied. One other thing, the fellows at Bang a drum were
very nice and helped me a lot. Drummer to drummer. O.K.
Burtie. . . . .
djwow
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 12, 2004 06:49 p.m.

Good one. Except if I was, funny that I posted a while ago on another topic that I got my current tabla from Prafulla! It was the best dayan I've gotten, ever. Of course now I could be suspected of being Mr. Athalye. .except, of course, that I live in California. . .etc, etc,

Peace!
Keshav Das
The horrors of T-shirt vending Jan 14, 2004 03:20 p.m.

Just a note: Keshav Music has always sold T-shirts, tho not online.
My wife has a little boutique counter in the shop filled with T-shirts and little Indian nick-nacks she's collected around India. However, we draw the line at lava lamps and Pez dispensers! Ha ha ha. Seriously, it's fine to be a purist, but there's nothing wrong with a little diversity.
Cheers,
K
Warren Ashford
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Jan 30, 2004 12:08 p.m.

My Current recommendation is to buy your drums from Prafulla
They will be superior and cost slightly less
That's the bottom line
They are sadanand brand and the only ones I have seen that were better came from Anindo's maker and those were very expensive.
Warren


The Bad Ustad (Jan 11, 2004 12:13 p.m.):
[quote]djwow (Jan 11, 2004 11:47 a.m.):
I'll step in here and say that Bang A Drum is a fantastic store, run by a couple who are genuinely friendly and passionate about drumming. I have shopped there and have met the owners. They have several drum classes and are a bit of an oasis for the drumming community in Los Angeles. They also have great teachers and workshops.

Nice to hear it. Now lets hope this week's Net Nanny doesn't accuse djwow of being the owner of Bangadrum.
tony d
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Feb 04, 2004 08:25 p.m.

Correct me if I am wrong isnt Shamal Anindoda's maker? the drums with the lable Narayan Badya Bhandar I bought a pair last year and they are the best i've played but I am by no means a pro. I think I paid about $400 for the set.
kedar_india_pune
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Feb 05, 2004 02:30 p.m.

Toni. .
anindo chatterjee uses tablas from the famous Watkar (maker)
Zakir hussian and most of the professional tabla players get their instrumetns from him he has a worshop in mumbai and really the best maker in india . . .
anindo dada was here in pune a few days back and he got three tablas for himself from a very young tabla maker here . . .grrr i forgot what thats chaps name is . .:-\
anways anindoje liked it very much the way it as build i mean. . . .
anways if anyone wants to get their tabla . .get it from WATKAR IN MUMBAI. . .
its highly recommened
Bad Ustad
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Feb 05, 2004 03:36 p.m.

Not wishing be controversial here, but it should be pointed out that none of the great players can be said to play any make of tabla exclusively. When a musician is of the caliber of Chatterjee Sahib - instrument makers constantly court them by offering them free instruments to play in hopes of getting favorable mention and the players do frequently experiment around. All the bara sahibs have multiple sets of tablas and frequently sell off the extra sets to make a few extra rupees to defray the cost of touring. I recently got a phone call from a the friend of a wonderful S. Indian veena player at the end of his tour who offered to sell off his exquisite veena for a shockingly low price.
aanaddha
Re:Anyone purchased tablas from bangadrum.com? Feb 05, 2004 04:55 p.m.

Dear "Bad",
You are not so 'bad', nor controversial here. In fact you are quite correct in both respects. The top musicians get their tablas for nothing more than a smile. I have nothing else to add except that, I, too, have purchased most of my better instruments (and cases) from touring musicians. I was able to hear them in a concert setting, inspect them first hand, got a good price, and helped out a fellow musician to boot.
Love,
Aanaddha
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