Current production time: approximately 12–14 weeks from date of purchase.
Shipping calculated at checkout.
A large double-headed drum developed from historical Musaler drums preserved in Anjar, including an example dating to 1885 and more recent instruments from the continuing tradition.
The Musaler drum combines traditional construction with extensive research into bass-drum acoustics. Its purpose-designed shell, natural goat skins, wooden hoops, and traditional strap-lacing system work together to produce the deep, rounded, powerful sound characteristic of the instrument.
Technical Specifications
Diameter: 24 in / 61 cm
Weight: 13.5 lbs / 6.14 kgs
Shell depth: 12 in / 30.5 cm
Shell: Custom laminated maple plywood with integrated internal reinforcement and an optional walnut exterior.
Bearing edges: Custom shaping
Drumheads: Natural goat skin, individually selected and mounted over separate wooden hoops
Tensioning: Traditional continuous strap-lacing system
Tuning: Mechanically adjustable through strap tension; natural skin responds to changes in humidity
Playing configuration: Suspended by shoulder strap
Construction: Individually assembled, skinned, tied, tensioned, and finished by the workshop
Beaters: Kopal (heavy beater) and chipot (thin beater), handcrafted from selected hardwoods
Natural Skin & Tuning
The heads are mounted at relatively high tension so that the instrument retains good playing tension through moderate humidity. In drier conditions, the skins naturally tighten and the pitch rises.
The traditional strapping system allows the instrument to be retensioned when necessary. Smaller temporary adjustments can also be made through controlled heating or moistening of the skins. Changes in pitch and response with temperature and humidity are inherent characteristics of natural-skin instruments.
Natural goat skin is fundamental to the depth, power, and character of the Musaler Kopal. The instrument has a deep, rounded voice with a strong fundamental, substantial low-frequency presence, and powerful projection over considerable distance while retaining a distinctly natural, resonant character.
Kopal & Chipot
Each instrument includes a kopal (heavy beater) and chipot (thin beater), with a signature design handcrafted by the maker. The kopal retains the substantial weight of traditional examples, while the lighter chipot provides the contrasting articulate response of the opposite head.
Replacement Heads
Replacement natural goat skins are available and can be made to order for specific requirements in thickness, coloration, transparency, and finish.
With normal use and care, the original heads should generally last for the lifetime of the instrument, with replacement typically becoming necessary only following a puncture or other damage unrelated to normal playing.
Because every natural skin differs in thickness, density, coloration, and response, each drum will have subtle visual and acoustic variations.
Current production time: approximately 12–14 weeks from date of purchase.
Shipping calculated at checkout.
A large double-headed drum developed from historical Musaler drums preserved in Anjar, including an example dating to 1885 and more recent instruments from the continuing tradition.
The Musaler drum combines traditional construction with extensive research into bass-drum acoustics. Its purpose-designed shell, natural goat skins, wooden hoops, and traditional strap-lacing system work together to produce the deep, rounded, powerful sound characteristic of the instrument.
Technical Specifications
Diameter: 24 in / 61 cm
Weight: 13.5 lbs / 6.14 kgs
Shell depth: 12 in / 30.5 cm
Shell: Custom laminated maple plywood with integrated internal reinforcement and an optional walnut exterior.
Bearing edges: Custom shaping
Drumheads: Natural goat skin, individually selected and mounted over separate wooden hoops
Tensioning: Traditional continuous strap-lacing system
Tuning: Mechanically adjustable through strap tension; natural skin responds to changes in humidity
Playing configuration: Suspended by shoulder strap
Construction: Individually assembled, skinned, tied, tensioned, and finished by the workshop
Beaters: Kopal (heavy beater) and chipot (thin beater), handcrafted from selected hardwoods
Natural Skin & Tuning
The heads are mounted at relatively high tension so that the instrument retains good playing tension through moderate humidity. In drier conditions, the skins naturally tighten and the pitch rises.
The traditional strapping system allows the instrument to be retensioned when necessary. Smaller temporary adjustments can also be made through controlled heating or moistening of the skins. Changes in pitch and response with temperature and humidity are inherent characteristics of natural-skin instruments.
Natural goat skin is fundamental to the depth, power, and character of the Musaler Kopal. The instrument has a deep, rounded voice with a strong fundamental, substantial low-frequency presence, and powerful projection over considerable distance while retaining a distinctly natural, resonant character.
Kopal & Chipot
Each instrument includes a kopal (heavy beater) and chipot (thin beater), with a signature design handcrafted by the maker. The kopal retains the substantial weight of traditional examples, while the lighter chipot provides the contrasting articulate response of the opposite head.
Replacement Heads
Replacement natural goat skins are available and can be made to order for specific requirements in thickness, coloration, transparency, and finish.
With normal use and care, the original heads should generally last for the lifetime of the instrument, with replacement typically becoming necessary only following a puncture or other damage unrelated to normal playing.
Because every natural skin differs in thickness, density, coloration, and response, each drum will have subtle visual and acoustic variations.
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