How should I choose a good didgeridoo to buy? I'll be in Sydney. Care about quality 1st, looks second. How much to spend? Which shops?
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M$2 Answers
How to Choose a Didgeridoo
1. Step 1
Choose the length of the instrument you want to play based on your experience with the didgeridoo, how seriously you plan to play the instrument and what key you want it in. Instruments between about 3.5 and 6 feet (100 and 150 cm) in length are good for beginners since they offer the important keys and are the easiest to play.
2. Step 2
Look at the variety of materials that make didgeridoos, and make your choice on the basis of your budget and what you expect out of the instrument. If you want a dirt cheap but still playable instrument, look for a didgeridoo crafted out of PVC piping. Fiberglass is also a good material. At the end of the day, the classic didgeridoo material, wood (and not faux-woods like bamboo), is the highest quality material for the Australian instrument.
3. Step 3
Give a once over on the didgeridoo to look for flaws and imperfections such as cracks. A visible crack is a definite sign that the instrument is not worth buying since the crack will worsen. Also, if you see marks or discolorations, run your fingernail over the affected spot. If your fingernail leaves an indentation in the wood, take that didgeridoo out of the running since it's no good.
4. Step 4
Consider buying a genuine, indigenous-crafted, termite-hollowed wood didgeridoo since these instruments are the most carefully crafted and checked for problems. You might end up paying more for a genuine didgeridoo but the sound quality and durability are worth it.
5. Step 5
Play the didgeridoo or have someone play it for you (live, not over the phone) so you can get an idea of the sound.
A first-rate painted didgeridoo will cost anywhere from A$100 to A$450 (US$80-US$360/UK£40-UK£180).
Shop:
Gavala Aboriginal Art & Cultural Education Centre
Location: Shop 131, Harbourside, Darling Harbour
Phone 02/9212 7232
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M$After googling I found this shop:
Gavala Aboroginal Art Centre
Shop 131
Harbourside Centre
Darling Habour Sydney 2000
Ph: +61 2 9212 7232
Fax: +61 2 9211 7009
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
It's a great answer with good sources, just remember in the future when copying content from another source to avoid pasting the entire article, a paragraph and a link is perfect.
Jeff
Community Manager