The djembe is very beautiful, tall and slender. It weighs only 5 kg, and is weatherproof (only the nuts of the tensioning device are made of bare metal). It is ideal for traveling, exchange visits, game nights, etc. outdoors. The sound of an instrument is never a pure sine wave, always a mixture of different frequencies. In Holzdjemben more low frequencies determine the sound, which makes them look warmer and more harmonious, in Kunststoffdjemben - and even more so with a plastic coat - outweigh higher frequencies, causing an initially unfamiliar timbre. It's almost as if you played another instrument, you have the usual technique to adjust the instrument, which already costs a bit of time. But then there is a great variety of sounds: sound similar to the gamelan (the djembe is made in Indonesia), with steel drums and of course with lighter Djembeklängen. In a drum group that can give an interesting sound mix .. If the instrument is to be recommended? If you want only a Djembe, should choose a classic wooden instrument with string tension. The Meinl djembes apply in professional circles (for. Instance Djembefola.fr) as a cheap but solid entry level instruments. For me, the low weight and a sound alternative were crucial. The mechanical tensioner I after bad experiences with Meinl Holzdjembe that had to be re-tensioned after half a year, chosen. However, it suppressed while keeping the djembe between his legs, and needs a larger envelope. Ideal is the mechanical clamping device for musicians who often play together with other instruments and need to adjust the tuning of your instrument. Is strongly discouraged from Meinl Accessories: impractical, ugly and intrusive ads. The apparatus for transferring the Djembe, I have thrown away after six months. When the cover is indeed for 14-djembes, but there is no question of that, it must be Holzdjemben with string tension. The for Djembe supplied with mechanical jig guide is a Bildchensammlung with item numbers without any further description for djembes with string tension, the catalog. The weight can be established after the purchase, also on the website of Meinl's nothing to find. The information from Amazon are wrong (with and without packaging 7 kg, the package actually weighed over 8 kg, the Djembe alone almost 5 kg). Conclusion: Does the use, makes you a good buy, but should stay away from Meinl accessories.