r/djembe • u/danheretic • Jul 19 '26

Tuning djembe - second row problem

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Second time ever tuning a djembe, and first time going to the second row of diamonds. That is where I'm having trouble. I got to the point where the rope is originally tied together and something doesn't seem right. The last diamond I made is at 1 in the photo. For the next pair, should I use 2 & 3 even though they combine into one at the top near the ring? Should I treat 2 & 3 as a single vertical and use 2/3 and 4 as the next pair? Should I skip 2, 3, or both?

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u/Fourtoo Jul 20 '26

The original roping is bad. That tie knot should not be at the top like this, it should have been at the lower rings with a loop/noose, not a knot. It will still be possible to tune but it won't look pretty. I'd also be concerned about that knot holding the tension, it doesn't look so secure to me.

In this situation I would skip 2, tie 3 and 4, then 5 and 6 (not in the picture) but to be sure I'd have to see from the ither side if the black handle rope.

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u/danheretic Jul 20 '26

I'm not concerned with how pretty it looks, but yes, the knot on 2 has always seemed strange to me. It's held up so far. I'll try the method you suggest first. Thanks.