Latin Percussion LP1400-UT Udu Drum

I just received this a few days ago and each day I find more possibilities with it. If you collect a lot of different hand drums, this is a great buy for your collection. It can be as versatile as you want it to be.Another great thing about this is that it can further encourage the percussionist in all of us. It allows one to be forced from their comfort zone to a new terrain that will not only allow one to better draw sound from this and other Udu drums, but how to draw new and beautiful sounds from the world around you.A concern with it (which the picture doesn't show off) is that the (horn?) coming out of the bottom is awkwardly placed so that the ring it comes with won't fit on it.One could rest it in their lap with the horn sticking out from between your legs. Along with this looking a little strange, it dampens the drum. I have found the best way to rest the drum is with the horn pointing at 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock in your lap while sitting on a chair. To keep it balanced, I keep (depending on if I have it pointing right or left) raising one knee higher than the other to help keep it balanced.This concern, however, does not diminish an entire star on my review as it's sounds are unique. If you are familiar with other Udu drums, this can be compared to an Utar in how it is played.If you are a percussionist new to Udus, it may be best to start with a claytone, a more traditionally shaped Udu. But this unique design allows for a unique performance and inspires adaptability in one's path as a percussionist and overall lover of sounds.Edit: About 2.5 years later of having this and still enjoying, but I'd probably drop it by one star as it is my least favorite Udu. I now have 4 Udus. Ranking of my favorite to least favorite: Mbwata, Claytone 4, Udongo II, and the Tambuta, which is this one. I till love it and am not at all regretful of the purchase. The other Udus provide deeper and warmer tones that sustain longer which is why I prefer them. The claytone 4 provides the most bass tone and was my favorite until the Mbwata which provides the low tone like a claytone series, but also has a flat playing service for lots of variety. I plan to eventually complete the collection.

No resonance in the instrument. Does not ring out, no harmonics on various areas of the drum. Just sounds like a dead thump in all cases. No Udu sound. I have a few variants from different manufacturers and play as a percussion instrumentalist. This design just does not compare. Looks pretty, sounds like like junk.

If you are reading this, you already know what an udu is. You probably have watched the youtube videos of Brian Melick playing this so you understand its tonal range and size. From hands on playing, and comparing with other traditional rounded udus, this udu has a drier, sharper tone than my LP mbwata and meinl udu. It has a large playing surface, so it is easy to produce consistent tones. I also own the LP tambuta that shares a similar shape, and this sounds like a larger version of that drum. The "tak" sound is noticeably lower than my other udus, but the "dum" is about the same. I think this gives the drum a smaller tonal range than my other udus, so it's better played along with other udus than on its own. This should not be the first udu you buy because of its weight, size and limited tonal range. This is better suited to an udu player looking to expand his udu collection and range. This udu is also difficult to play dynamically on your lap. In order to get the best unmuted tones and proper angle for the "dum", this udu should be played on a stand or table. Playing it on your lap noticeably diminishes the resonance which is unfortunate with this already quiet drum. Still, I give it 5 stars because it does what it's designed to do and the build quality is excellent. Just understand what you are buying and you won't be disappointed.

It is great. As mentioned above using a microphone is likely more conducive to experimenting with different tones. One thing I will note, however, is that the outside of the material (clay or composite?) is flaking off, as I had the idea of playing them with rubber mallets.

Well made...like any piece of pottery it is fragile. Be prepared to mic the drum to get good results. External mics are ok but it really takes internal, miniature mics to fully use this (and most others) to its potential. These mics and the associated electronics(preamp,EQ,amp,spkrs/headphones etc) could be a substantial investment. One good quality mic (you need two) can cost as much...even up to five times the cost of the Udu.(*see note) This is a very cool drum. The possibilities are endless. Once mic'ed the range of sounds and subtle nuances make it extremely addicting.*Note: check out my reviews on 2000s wireless mic system and Behringer mixer. You need to adapt a bit for the mics, but for less than $150 I got good results! feel free to email me tl1255@yahoo.com for details....and the beat goes on...

I returned it the same day I got it, (found the sound of it not loud enough), in the original box it was sent, and although I knew I would be charged something for the return, I was not too happy when I realized the seller charges $26 for it.This is not such a big item, I can’t imagine it costs that much for the shipping….

The overall construction and quality is top notch. After some use and play time it has joined the ranks of my "back pocket" instruments to do small group jam sessions. Not very loud, and definitely takes practice, but an excellent instrument. Happy playing!