Taiko drums from Scotland

My name is David Samuels. Here in my workshop on the Isle of Arran, on the West coast of Scotland, I have been making taiko drums for over ten years, and have been responsible for making more than 150 drums. As well as these I have helped other people to make their own drums, either by sharing my experience and knowledge, or by the supply of kits of parts.
Our interest in taiko was first kindled when Mugenkyo, the foremost professional touring taiko group, newly moved to Scotland, approached my partner Ruth Mae to turn some bachi, the substantial sticks with which they beat there drums. Ruth agreed and made several pairs in different woods to find the best, and Mugenkyo's Neil and Miyuki visited the workshop to try the bachi out. They set up a drum  and Miyuki played; Ruth and I stood there, open mouthed, just blown away by the amazing sound, the vibrancy, the sheer energy. We went along to a beginners workshop, run by Mugenkyo and started to learn how to play these magnificent drums. At the end of the course we went on to meet up with a number of similarly enthusiastic course members; as we did not have any rums to play on, we used plastic dustbins instead, which didn't last long but were easily replaced. This served to feed our need to continue drumming, but was rather frustrating in that the sound we produced was rather unsatisfying. We also got through a lot of dustbins! Two years later, after much research and help from Mugenkyo and the internet, I had made my first drum, christened Ko-Ichi ("first-born drum").
Since then I have made many drums, for groups, education authorities and individuals.


Unfortunately we have had to unexpectedly close our workshop,
due to the sale of the rented farm buildings that we were using.
​Hopefully we will be setting up a smaller workshop in the near future.

Miyuki Williams of the Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers has been kind enough to offer the
following appreciation of our drums:

"We have  been using Dave Samuels' Okedo drums for a number of years 
now, in  both  workshops and performances, and have found that not only 
are they sturdy  and hard-wearing, but they also have good tone  quality.
 We recommend   Dave's drums to all of our workshop  participants,
 as they are excellent   value - reasonably priced for the  quality on offer.
 We wish him every   success in the future of his  business
& in his efforts to spread taiko   drumming in the UK."

Miyuki Williams
Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers