Drum of `vivax' by Stan Skov, Rose and David

[Mark Meckes]

This drum, made by Stan Skov, Rose and David, is made from Phyllostachys vivax, grown near Louisiana/Alabama USA.
It was `Flash cured' (heat tempered) soon after harvesting to prevent cracking/splitting. The dark coloration is created by the heating technique that Stan uses.
While Phyllostachys vivax does seem to have a greater tendency to crack and split during natural drying, with certain skills and special techniques, this can be prevented.
http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/data/527/thumbs/346Mvc-132f.jpg
In this Close-up picture (http://www.bamboocraft.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=616&cat=500&page=1) you can see how the culm surface shows a lot of furrowed ridges.
This gives the impression that this bamboo is made up of bundles of fibers that are thicker in some places then others.
During drying, this can cause uneven tensions, the result ...a crack or split.
The split material BTW is great stuff to work with, and can be applied to many other uses.
This drum has been beating a tune for many years.

Thanks Stan!

[Mark Meckes]

I visited with Stan recently, and when he saw the Phyllostachys vivax poles that I had brought back from Georgia, (see album) (http://www.bamboocraft.net/bamboo/showgallery.php?cat=539), he determined that the bamboo he was using to make these drums was not Phyllostachys nigra `Henon', but Phyllostachys vivax.

So I've edited the previous post accordingly.

Mark