I have acquired a damaru months ago and kept it inside of its own casing, never been used. I took it out yesterday and found that it doesn't sound the same as I first received it. The surface has turned uneven, like ripples of puffed-up loosened pockets. Therefore, it sounds dull and the balls are not getting the bounce for them to turn. Do you think I could fix it? Thanks.
Dakini's Whisper
LOUISE! .. mine too! It has been sitting on my larger alter and suddenly it's the exact same as you described yours to be. Here where I live we have had changing weather from cold to hot with lots of humidity both ways, and this evening during Tsok I was panicked and really bummed I could not play my damaru with Khandro-la.
And so, I echo Louise's question! I also have a smaller tummo damaru that has had that same thing happen to it in the last couple days. I'm really concerned. @Dakinis Whisper
Hey Sangha Sisters.
I hope this is not to forward to reply to this.
Its moisture in the hides. Just put them into a dry place like the hot water cylinder cupboard or in a dry room. DO NOT rush the drying process. Very important that it is a naturally slow process... saves disappointments. Any where from a few hours to a day or two.
I take mine out of its home every day or two to remove the moisture that naturally draws into the drum. I put it in the lounge hanging on the other side of the room away from the fire place. This just gets it back a drier moisture content, as we are in winter time here.
The hides will tighten and smooth out, the sound will be buoyant and bouncy again.
I hope this is helpful.
I look forward to our teachers feed back and thoughts about this.
No, not too forward at all and honestly, very, very welcome. In fact, I *almost* asked you about it after you were done with your practice session Sunday. One side of mine is taught, but the other is slightly warped now. It's humid outside, but inside I'm keeping it cool, so I believe it's popped back because of that; however, I'm not confident in taking heat to the side that's a wee bit warped, or spreading Vaseline on it. I don't put my damaru back into its case - it sits on my larger alter and then my smaller tummo drum always sits out of its case on my smaller tantric alter. Now that one, though it was warped too, has completely come back, so I'm not concerned about that one at all.
And so, I don't know what to do @Louise and @Dan Hales! .. I'm afraid of damaging it and though I know it's just a thought, I feel a better Cho practitioner wouldn't have this problem (Louise NOT included - it's jut a Kate thing here). I have to rework that handle on it too, so maybe the Dakinis are telling me something, eh?
Thank you both for being so supportive and kind!
Dear Dan, thanks for reaching out. Yes it seems like the moist did it. Thanks for all your suggestions. I will give it a try, that's hopeful!
Wow, our damarus are reflecting the craziness our earth is suffering, I guess. I would never say Toronto is humid, but there has been quite many humid days here in the past year. I like the reply from Dan, really helpful. Although I have found a video on YouTube about fixing a Tibetan drum, I like what Dan suggested. The YouTube video used a blow-dryer after rubbing Brandy on it, then finishing with Vaseline. However, however .... I like what Dan emphasized "slow process" to "avoid disappointment". I don't want to risk it, because it's hard to shop for one. So I will just take it slow. I now put it in a dryer place (near the lamps) (maybe find another even better place later).
Don't worry Kate, it can be restored. Watching the YouTube video gave me great confidence, the drum got back its bounce in front of my eyes. Hope ours will be restored soon!!!
If you feel confident with artificial heat. Heat gun or blow drier. Go for it. Not to close and be attentive, that's the part that can lead to disappointment.
Look forward to hearing them!
:)
Peace
Thank you again Dan!!! I am still waiting for the result of leaving it in a dryer place. If not working, I will probably use blow drier. Fingers crossed!