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Sansula

Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 11:18 am
by F Murtz
Has any one any tips on how to make a Sansula (which seems to be a kalimba mounted on a stretched skin)
Would the skin be stretched on an open backed frame or closed? and how would the kalimba bit be stuck to the skin?
This is so far just an idea floating round in my head.
How to stretch the skin on what is the first problem.
I have an old dried out skin off a banjo mandolin that has torn itself into a circle about 10" round if I can figure out how to make it pliable enough. I am going to put a new skin on the Banjo

Re: Sansula

Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 4:58 pm
by Jim McConkey
Please note that Forum rules require that you use your full name, not an initial. Please edit your profile and add your name.

Be sure to read the Bowl Drum discussion in this section. Basically, you soak the head in a sink or large bowl of water overnight and it becomes very pliable. You stretch it over your frame and tack it in place while it is wet, and it will become taught as it dries. I imagine the kalimba is just glued to the top, after it has thoroughly dried.

Re: Sansula

Posted: Wed Mar 01, 2017 11:11 pm
by F Murtz
Who says that F is not my full name?

Re: Sansula

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 2:42 am
by Jim McConkey
Is it?

Re: Sansula

Posted: Mon Mar 06, 2017 10:04 pm
by Jim McConkey
You might want to watch this video on bodhran construction. At about 5:00 he applies a water-based glue to the rim, stretches the wet head over it, and just "clamps" the rim with a piece of elastic until both glue and head dry. He says he actually prefers gluing to using tacks or laces because he almost never sees tearout, which occurs with the latter two occasionally.

Re: Sansula

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2023 3:05 pm
by Jim McConkey
That link does not appear to work, Allyson.

Re: Sansula

Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2023 5:30 pm
by Eric Knapp