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1961 Indian Musical Stores Swan Head

This is another instrument that was destined for the trash dumpster. It is from 1961, as confirmed by the shop that originally sold it. The main gourd is enormous, from an era before microphones and P.A. systems were common.

It came to us poor cosmetic shape. Much of the binding was missing. In the photos below, you can seen the auto body filler that was used in past repairs as well as the original bright yellow sizing that was painted on the tumba before its original, final finishing.


Exploratory sanding, uncovering past re-finishes & the original sizing

Working through to the original tabli finish.

Recreating the original sizing color. An exact match. We took the finish down to bare gourd before application of the sizing.

The refinished tabli.