Choosing the Right Dhol

As Dhol Etc. serves to bring only the best quality instruments to its customers, the price of the dhol should not be considered a defining factor of the quality of the instrument. All Dhols are made to the highest standards. Rather, the characteristics of each dhol (wood, strap, phumman) vary within each price range to better cater to the various requirements of our customers.

	Taali Dhol (Large) $479.99 A popular choice among enthusiasts and professionals alike. The Kachchi Pakki Taali dhol is made out of kachchi pakki taali wood, and in comparison to the amb dhol, is a bit heavier, but produces a much richer sound that resonates from denser wood. The dhol boasts a yellow/dark red color blend, providing the dholi with a product that delivers robust sound quality coupled with eye catching apperarance. This dhol is extremely durable and easy to tune with rope and adjustable bolt matrix.
	Sheesham Dhol $568.88 The Sheesham dhol is hand-crafted from top-quality selected and seasoned Taali wood. Nagi craftsmen have mastered the technique of getting the richest sound possible out of Taali through testing and fine-tuning their crafting process for decades. You will not only hear the difference in sound, but also feel it. The deepest bass and sharpest tilli sounds available today come from the harmony of award-winning craftsmanship and hand-selected materials. We recommend this dhol to only the serious dholi who wants to perform at a professional level. The dhol comes adorned with large phumman and a padded strap maximized for comfort.
	Sheesham Gold Dhol $667.55 The Sheesham dhol with a Golden touch infuses style and class into any performance. The pure sheesham wood and the unique golden look set this dhol apart from any other dhol manufactured by NAGI, while maintaining a dedication to sound quality and performance. The hand-crafted pure sheesham Taali wood gives this dhol a deep bass and a sharper tilli sound that will electrify your performance with attitude. In addition, the large phumman, golden nuts/bolts, and golden tilli metal frame, make this dhol truly unique for the dholi who wants to stand out from the rest. The Sheesham excels both in sound and appearance when played solo and as part of an ensemble. Your ambition and skill deserve an instrument made with the same passion for excellence. Simply put - Stand out with the Sheesham Gold Dhol.
	Unpolished Taali Dhol (Large) $494.99 For a limited time only, true lovers of dhol have the opportunity to own an unpolished Kacchi Pakki Taali dhol manufactured by one of the finest dhol makers in the world. The unpolished dhol has been a very popular item among dholis looking to customize their own dhol or others who want to see the original beauty of the dhol. The unpolished dhol is constructed from the same high quality wood as the Kacchi Pakki taali dhol and allows you to see the untouched perfection of the wood. Take this opportunity to grab one for yourself or a friend while they are in stock.
	Amb Dhol $364.42 Fashioned with precision for the aspiring professional dholi. Made out of top-grade Amb (Mango) wood, the light weight and competitive price make it an excellent choice for the musician seeking to hone his or her skills. The Amb model is designed to allow for flexibility and durability during the learning and mastering process. Like all our fine quality products, it is tested for performance and durability of all parts before it is shipped to you. The dhol comes ready to play right out of the box. Just tune the dhol to your preference and enjoy the unique sound of this beautiful instrument.
	Taali Dhol - Nuts/Bolts (Medium) $351.45 Sound of a dhol, size of a dholki. This powerful yet portable dhol is recommended for musicians on the go. The Kacchi Pakki Taali wood and the tilli side metal frame give the dhol the same great richness of sound as the large Kacchi Pakki Taali dhol. The smaller size and replacement of ropes with nuts and bolts on both sides substitute some of the aesthetic features with more practical options making it ideal for concert style settings, parade style movement, or the perfect background instrument.
	Taali Dhol - Nuts/Bolts (Large) $484.99 Sale Price: $472.33, You Save $12.66 A popular choice among enthusiasts and professionals alike. The Kachchi Pakki Taali dhol is made out of kachchi pakki taali wood, and in comparison to the amb dhol, is a bit heavier, but produces a much richer sound that resonates from denser wood. The dhol boasts a yellow/dark red color blend, providing the dholi with a product that delivers robust sound quality coupled with eye catching apperarance. This dhol is extremely durable and easy to tune with rope and adjustable bolt matrix.
	Taali Dhol (Small) $204.53 Our most popular dhol - in its smallest dimensions. The Kachchi Pakki Taali dhol is made out of kachchi pakki taali wood and in comparison to the amb dhol is a bit heavier and produces a much richer sound due to its denser wood. Even at lower specs, the smallest KPT dhol can deliver excellent sound with precission. The dhol is a beauty with its yellow and dark red gradient and is very durable and easy to tune given the rope and nut/bolt combination.
	Taali Dhol (Medium) $352.12 The medium Kachchi Pakki Taali dhol is ideal for a pre-teen musician. It is made out of kachchi pakki taali wood and in comparison to the amb dhol is a bit heavier and produces a much richer sound. The dhol's signature yellow and dark red blended color design is instantly recognizable. This quality instrument is very durable and easy to tune. The dhol can easily be fitted to accommodate a mic, and has been seen on many performance stages proving both reliable and sturdy for large events.

About Dhol Etc. Dhols

Whatever your reason, Dhol Etc. understands the importance of this instrument to you and is proud to bring you the best quality dhols. As you go through this website to find the ideal dhol suited to your needs, be assured that you are getting the best.

Here are some great reasons to help you decide Why Dhol Etc. Dhols?

• Superior Quality. We understand that the final product is the sum of its parts. Keeping this in mind, we ensure that all dhols are made from the greatest quality raw materials. Everything from the finest woods, to the colorful phummans (Colorful flowers made of cloth that hang off of a dhol), to the actual drum heads, including all other accessories, are all made with superior materials to prevent wear and produce top notch sound.
  
  
• We are VERY selective in our list of manufacturers. After years of experience, and speaking with some of the leading Dholis (professional dhol players), we select the dhols that we bring to you. When you buy from us we only want you to think about the limits you want to set for yourself and not have to worry about whether your dhol is up to standard.
  
  
• We take every possible precaution and go to great lengths to make sure that the Dhols reach you in the same condition as if you were buying them from the craftsmen himself. Since Dhols are delicate, we take precaution in packaging them to the fullest protection possible.
  
  
• Each Dhol is tested, tested and tested again for quality. In fact, each dhol is professionally checked for its quality before you receive it.
  
  
• Brands such as NAGI are an established name, and are the brand of choice for many of the leading Indian and Punjabi artists of our time.
  
  
• Manufacturers like NAGI are dedicated to quality and serving their most loyal clientele. For this reason they actively place quality over popularity. Understandably, as popularity follows quality quite closely, their dhols have become the instrument of choice among students, teachers and music professionals across the world.

Who is NAGI?

• As part of our promise of quality to you, we have done extensive research and traveled to all parts of India to bring you the highest and best quality instruments. NAGI has proven to be one of those manufacturers worthy of international exposure due to their high quality instruments.
  
  
• Have you heard of NAGI instruments? If not, don’t let that deter you. NAGI is a family of music instrument makers who are dedicated to making the best instruments possible. They take great pride in their work and stand by each instrument that leaves their shop. Rather than being marketing experts, they are content to let their work speak for them.

Why NAGI?

• For those of you who have experienced any type of Indian musical performance, or are frequent visitors to Gurudwaras or Mandirs, you have most likely already heard and seen the NAGI name. They are synonymous with great quality.
  
  
• NAGI has been providing quality musical instruments and Bhangra accessories to their dedicated customers for decades. Anyone with a NAGI instrument only has praises for the craftsmanship and precision that goes into each it. Everything from their Tablas, to their Dhols, to their Dhols, etc., is renowned for its eminence in the field of Indian music.
  
  
• If you wonder why you have never heard the brand “NAGI” even though you have been a musician for a long time, consider that NAGI is a family run business of music instrument lovers who keep very busy ensuring each instrument leaving their store is tested on all measures for the best quality. This dedication to quality does not leave much time for them to launch a huge marketing campaign. We are very fortunate to be able to bring the international audience instruments manufactured by this small shop of highly trained craftsmen.

Parts of the Dhol

The Dhol. Hypnotic, Invigorating, Stirring. Used throughout India, the dhol is synonymous with festivals, fairs, functions, and fun. Highly prized and found at almost all celebrations, listeners can’t help but get caught up in the pulsating rhythms and pounding beats. A double sided barrel drum, and worn with a strap over the shoulders, the dhol is usually played by hitting sticks on both sides in various cycles. One side produces the deeper bass sound, while the other produces a sharp, higher pitched sound. Commonly, stretched hide skins (usually goat) cover either end of the drum, and serve as the playing surface. However, many modern dhols are found with a hide skin covering the bass end, while a custom plastic shell substitutes for the sharp sound surface.

Here is a glossary of terms to help you better understand the different parts of a dhol and a guide to help you select the ideal dhol.

Wood: The type of wood plays a very important role in the overall sound of the dhol. The dhol is essentially a hollowed out piece of tree and should always be 1 continuous piece. As such, there should not be any cracks in the body of the barrel. The empty barrel serves as a sound amplifier and therefore the type of wood has a very unique effect on the sound of the dhol. Traditionally there are 3 main types of woods: Amb, Kaachi Paaki Taali and Paaki Taali (also known as Sheesham Wood). While the Amb wood come from a particular tree (mango tree), Kaachi Paaki Taali and Paaki Taali come from the same type of tree. The only difference being that the Paaki Taali is the more aged part of the tree and thus denser. In the order of sound quality, which is a measure of richness and sharpness of sound, the Sheesham dhol (Paaki Taali) is considered the best, followed by Kaachi Paaki Taali, and then the Amb wood.

Weight: Type of wood is directly related to the weight of the dhol (assuming all other parts are the same on all dhols). The denser the wood the heavier it will be. For this reason the Amb dhol is the lightest (around 8-9 lbs), then the Kaachi Paacki taali dhol (10 lbs), and the Sheesham dhol (12 lbs). Since the dhol is worn around the neck and shoulders, proper form and technique are very important for prized sound, and to keep the player from hurting his or her body. If you feel that you are not comfortable or able to carry this weight, we recommend you use a medium size dhol which weighs only around 5-6 lbs).

Dagga side (Leather head): The Dagga side or the bass side of the dhol is usually made of goatskin although on some, mostly Pakistani dhols, plastic is also used on the bass side. While it is a matter of preference, we recommend the leather head to get the necessary depth and heavy bass sound out of the dhol. Our dhols come ready to play out of the box and the leather skins are treated, stretched, and tuned perfectly for you to get the optimal sound out of your dhol. It is important to note that whenever playing the dhol, the player must tighten the leather head by pulling down on the rings (with use of the phummans), untill you get a deep reverberating sound out of the dagga head. The Dagga side is played with the thicker stick known as the dagga and is very durable. The Dagga side can last a very long time unless the leather is hit with a sharp object (or mistakenly hit it with the sharp end of the dagga). The more it is played, the smoother it gets, and thus the rich sound is obtained, so it is advisable to not replace the dagga head too often. For tips on how to maintain and protect your dagga head, please visit the FAQ section of the website.

Tilli side (Plastic head): The plastic head, or the treble side of the dhol, produces a sharp, high pitched sound. The tilli is played more continuously than the dagga side, and is played using a thin bamboo stick (called the tilli). The plastic head comes in either a translucent or black color, the main difference being only appearance, and not having any bearing on the sound produed.

Tilli side metal rim: Some dhols come with a metal rim that sits on top of the tilli rim. This metal rim prevents the nuts and bolts from being in contact with the plastic head, and hence improves the sound and life of the tilli head. The metal rim is an accessory that can be purchased and installed on top of any tilli head.

Phumman: Phumman are the colorful cloth flowers that hang from the dhol. In addition aesthetic value, they are important in tuning the dhol. The phumman are attached to metal rings that squeeze the ropes of the dhol together. Thus the phumman are used to easily pull the rings in a direction that pulls the rope together, and essentially increases the tension on (tightens) the leather head. This increase in tension can be manipulated to get the different sounds out of the leather head. Upon hitting the dagga (bass) side, the ideal sound should be heavy with bass and have a lasting, reverberating effect.

Metal rings: These rings are used for tuning purposes of the leather head. The phumman are attached to these rings.

Shoulder strap: The shoulder strap is used to hang the dhol from the neck or the shoulder depending on the players’ style and comfort. The strap is made of synthetic material for durability, but can also be made of cotton or other cloth.

Dhol Accessories

	Dhol Accessory Pack 1 $18.49 Includes 5 Tillis & 1 Dagga Perfect accompaniment to any dhol purchase Complimentary drawstring bag
	Dhol Accessory Pack 2 $59.99 Includes 10 Tillis, 1 Dagga, 1 Dagga head, & 1 Tilli head Most cost effective accessory pack Complimentary drawstring bag
	13-inch Dhol Tilli Head (Translucent) $14.99 White/translucent color Plastic head Metal ring to secure head on dhol Also available in 12" diameter
	12-inch Dhol Tilli Head (Translucent) $14.99 White/translucent color Plastic head Metal ring to secure head on dhol Also available in 13" diameter
	13-inch Dhol Tilli Head (Black) $14.99 Black color Plastic head Metal ring to secure head on dhol Also available in 12" diameter
	12-inch Dhol Tilli Head (Black) $14.99 Black color Plastic head Metal ring to secure head on dhol Also available in 13" diameter
	Dhol Dagga Head $29.99 Used for the dagga side of the dhol Thick, treated leather head Wooden ring to allow flexibility while installing
	Dhol Padded Strap $19.99 Wide cotton strap Durable material Easy to replace Perfect while playing long durations Great while moving around with dhol Available in two neutral colors
	Dhol Tilli (25 pack) $49.99 Made of bamboo wood Pack of 25 Dhol Tillis Each tilli is 12-16 inches in length Colored tape on one end
	Dhol Tilli (10 pack) $22.99 Made of bamboo wood Pack of 10 Dhol Tillis Each tilli is 12-16 inches in length Colored tape on one end
	Dhol Tilli $2.49 Made of bamboo wood Each tilli is 12-16 inches in length Colored tape on one end
	Dhol Dagga (10 pack) $54.99 Wooden dagga Sweat absorbant grip 2 inch thick holding grip Curved tapering end
	Dhol Dagga (5 pack) $27.99 Wooden dagga Sweat absorbant grip 2 inch thick holding grip Curved tapering end
	Dhol Dagga $5.99 Wooden dagga Sweat absorbant grip 2 inch thick holding grip Curved tapering end
	Dhol Phumman (Large) $2.99 Multi-color cloth flowers Interlaced gold threads to add richness and shine Comes with 1 Phumman (order a set of 12 for a complete set)
	Dhol Phumman (Small) $1.99 Standard phumman Variety of colors Comes with 1 Phumman (order 12 for a complete set)
	Dhol Rope $11.99 White thick rope One rope per dhol
	Dhol Nuts & Bolts $2.99 Silver colored 4 inch metal hooks Fits perfectly on the accompanying hook to allow precise tuning
	Dhol Nuts & Bolts (Gold) $9.99 Gold color plated 4 inch metal hooks Gold Metal bolt fits perfectly on the accompanying hook to allow precise tuning

Dhol Carry Cases

	Dhol Hard Case $199.99 Sale Price: $189.99, You Save $10.00 Practically indestructible (Tough fiber glass) Padded handles to easily drag the case Storage space to keep accessories for your dhol Interior padding protecting the life of the dhol
	Dhol Carry Bag (Large) $29.99 Rexin bag Synthetic hand carry handles Thick Synthetic carry shoulder strap Front zippered pocket to carry dagga and tilli
	Dhol Carry Bag (Medium) $29.99 Rexin bag Synthetic hand carry handles Thick Synthetic carry shoulder strap Front zippered pocket to carry dagga and tilli
	Dhol Carry Bag (Small) $29.99 Rexin bag Synthetic hand carry handles Thick Synthetic carry shoulder strap Front zippered pocket to carry dagga and tilli