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1. The finished shells (always hand made from one piece of wood) are purchased
   from various drum carvers on the outskirts of Conakry, who specialise only
   in doundouns. We are in constant contact with these suppliers, and we are
   able to specify the size (diameter and length) that we would like to have in
   order to guarantee that a set of doundouns sounds good together.
   The shells are then custom-made.
   
   
   
   
2. The wood is stored in Conakry for a minimum of 6 months (see section under djembes). The wood is sanded and then oiled with shea butter at the start of
   the dry season in Conakry.
   
   
   
   
3. For the sangban and kensedeni the metal rings are cut and formed into circles, welded, and wrapped in material. After this we make the knots on the rings.
   
   
   
   
4. When the rings are finished and checked to ensure that they fit satisfactorily
   to the wood, the edges at both ends of the sangban and kensedeni are rounded
   with spokeshaves and rasps to exactly accommodate the size of the rings.
   The doundounba is similarly worked on to preserve the skins.
   
   
   
   
5. Rope is fed through the knots on the sangban and kensedeni, leaving some
   free for the later placement of the ring with the skins.
   
   
   
   
6. Sangban/kensedeni - The (soaked) skins are placed on the last two rings.
   The skins are "sewed" on to the ring to create a little tension and keep it in
   place. They are then placed on the wood, the rope fed through the rest of
   the knots around the first two rings, and the tightening process starts.
   
   Doundounba - The (soaked) skins for the doundounba are fixed on to both
   ends of the instrument using the "sewing" technique. Once the skins have
   been positioned at both ends, the rope is fed through the remaining knots,
   and the tightening process starts.
   
   
   
   
7. The excess skin is removed, and the skin is then left to dry for 3-4 days, after
   which the final tightening is done.
   
   
   
   
8. When the tension is completed, the doundouns are tested for sound quality,
   and if found to be suitable, prepared for shipment to Germany.
   
   
   
   
9. Upon reaching Germany, the doundouns are again tested by Sean, and the
   final adjustments to the tuning are made.
   
   

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