Log Drums
When we set out to create log drums, we wanted to present a functional yet beautiful set of instruments. From our trend-setting flanged tongues with their curved cut divider, to the elegant finish, the beauty of our log drums is only matched by its earthy, authentic sound. But here is the most unique part - we make them with our own hands in our own shop. This is the BSP difference.
Design
The Baltic Birch resonator box is built to last with classy dovetail joints and ply construction.
Soundboard
The soundboard is solid rock maple, producing a warm, full, traditional sound.
Tongue
The flange-shaped tongue provides focus and volume, with an elegant curved divider.
Sweet Spot
Pitches are marked Hi and Lo for immediate identification, with approximate sweet spot targets. (each drum is a little bit different)
I get to use the log drums in a number of percussion concertos that I play. I find that they're incredibly melodic...the log drums just speak where ever you strike on them.
Evelyn Glennie, Black Swamp Artist
About Black Swamp Log Drums
Black Swamp log drums are carefully created with solid maple soundboards and Finnish birch plywood resonator boxes. Each drum's notes have been precisely shaped and tuned using CNC router technology. The unique flanged shape helps to focus the tone and increase resonance. Here are some tips for getting maximum performance from your log drums.
Education
The oval marking on each note is intended as an aid for more consistent tone production. Playing inside the oval nearer to the center of the log drum will produce a more round and warm tone, while the inside the oval nearer to the ends of the log drum will produce more attack.
Be sensible when choosing mallets. Decide on a mallet with sufficient weight to produce a full sound, but is soft enough to not damage the drums.
When positioning your log drums, leave at least two inches between the drums. The drums will lose sound and choke if they are placed too closely together. Make sure the log drums are resting on the rubber feet and that the resonator box is not coming into contact with any surface.
There may be a slight difference in the amount of resonance between the two notes of any one log drum. This is normal and is not considered a manufacturers defect. Because this is a wooden instrument, factors such as temperature and humidity will sometimes affect the sound.