These pre-cut drum covers made of cow rawhide are ideal for making Native American drums, Shaman drums, traditional Japanese drums, and drums in general. The thickness used produces the best sound for the size: discs 26" and below are approximately 1 to 2 mm thick, while the larger discs are at or just over 1/8" thick. However, the thickness does vary from disc to disc so if you need a particular thickness for your rawhide, please check with us beforehand. Rawhide is also referred to as parchment or vellum. The drum covers may have smooth or rough edges.
Cow rawhide is thicker than goat rawhide and is more suitable for making drums that use drumsticks. Goat rawhide is really thin and is better suited for making hand drums.
Note: When working with cow rawhide, soak the drum covers for between four and twelve hours depending upon the thickness and oiliness of the skins. The thicker and more oily the hide, the longer it should be soaked. Soaking the skins for longer than 12 hours can result in a degradation of the skins.
Elk or deer rawhide can be soaked overnight. If you do this with cow rawhide, it will fall apart.
The drum covers are NOT subject to USFWS export inspection and can be shipped overseas without any problems.