Plimoth Patuxet

Earlier in the year, we met with the Director of the Plimouth Patuxet Museum regarding their rope tension drums. These instruments are used in their daily demonstrations and were in need of service. After we all geeked out over old instruments and New England history, we quoted the work, which then need to go to the board for approval/budget.

In the Summer of 2022, the first drum came to the shop. It’s a 20” x 24” replica of a 17th century snare, built by Ralph Eames in 1980. It features a leather wrapped shell with an elaborate tack pattern. After disassembly, and several washings with mild detergent [Dawn], we addressed a few delaminations and applied a thin coat of leather conditioner. New hoops were fabricated/dyed/poly/drilled. A full set of ears were made using our best guest as what the original 7th century drum may have had, based on old illustrations. The drum was then reassembled with new rope, new gut, and a freshly tucked calfskin batter head.

The second drum came to the shop in Spring of 2023. It’s an 18” x 18” Eames, which was build it 1992. It received the same spa treatment and also required new hoops. As for parts … new ears, rope, cut, flesh hoops, and calfskin.
The ears are another 17th century design and the snare tensioners are copied from a drum we saw in the American Drum Company collection this past fall [Seekonk, MA]. Tapered wooden screws … pretty clever.

Both drums are back in action at Plimouth Patuxet and I found a clip from YouTube. 5:47 minute mark for the smaller drum. The gentleman is wearing the drum quite high and it could also use a bit of detensioning, but it’s playable and looks great.