Echo Tree: The Didgeridoo Craftsmen - Didgeridoos with Edge
"If the earth had a voice it would be the sound of a Didgeridoo"
Before you buy or play a Didgeridoo learn more about this amazing Australian Instrument

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Making our Didgeridoos
I Didgeridoo Collection I
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Didgeridoo Seasoning I
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Handcrafting Process I
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The Outside Finish I
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The Mouthppiece I
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Didgeridoo Artwork I

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Yidaki,
Didgeridoo, Didjeridu, Didjeridoo, Digeridoo, Dijeridoo, Didgeridu, Digeridu.....

However you spell it we have a d
idj for you!

"If the Earth Had a Voice it Would be the Didgeridoo"

Technical info
Clear bass and a sharp 'edge' are two attributes that Echo Tree's didgeridoos are known for. One of the reasons for this is because of the timber we use. This timber is extremely dense; denser than Ironbark in fact, one of Australia's well known, hard native timbers. Because of this we continue to predominantly use arid grown 'Greybox' to craft or didgeridoos. The extreme density of this timber largely contributes to the great 'edge' our instruments produce. We of course do not exclude the use of other timber types in our hancrafting process and are sure that our continuing research will further expand the knowledge about this unique instrument.
 
Didgeridoo Collection

Echo Tree only make their didgeridoos from sound, good quality Australian timbers that have been naturally hollowed out by termites (sometimes incorrectly called white ants). These timbers are personally selected by our craftsmen.

Echo Tree only make their didgeridoos from sound, good quality Australian timbers that have been naturally hollowed out by termites (sometimes incorrectly called white ants). These timbers are personally selected by our craftsmen.


Once we have selected our didgeridoo, the next step is to clean the termite waste from the inside of the h
ollow tree.


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Didgeridoo Seasoning

After the hollow tree has been cleaned out we place it under controlled conditions to season. With the bark still on, we leave our timber to season for a minimum of one and a half years before it is ready for the didgeridoo handcrafting process.
Technical info
The main reason that many didgeridoos crack and split after purchase is that they are made from timber that is 'green' or unseasoned. Green timber is very unstable and as it dries out in uncontrolled conditions it will often split. Another reason many didgeridoos fail a short time after purchase is because they are not properly treated and sealed. A didgeridoo made from unseasoned, untreated and unsealed timber can still legitimately be called 'genuine' or 'authentic' but will not necessarily be of a high quality standard.


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The Handcrafting Process


The handcrafting process is now ready to begin. Starting with a coarse sand paper and working down to a very fine grade, the didgeridoo is sanded back to reveal the beautiful native Australian wood grain that lies beneath.

Once we have our instrument at this stage, the Echo Tree emblem is etched into the timber. The emblem is located on the back of the didgeridoo near the base. A serial number is also burnt into the wood, just beneath the emblem.
Technical info
We choose not to use 'dowels' or wooden 'plugs' to seal imperfections in our instruments. The rate of expansion of a dowel will always be different to that of the side grain of a didgeridoo. This will result in failure of the integrity of the instrument.

Echo Tree starts with premium raw materials and this is another reason why our finished product is such high quality.

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Outside Finish

Every instrument we handcraft is sealed both inside and out. We seal the inside to protect it from the moisture and humidity that results from a player's breath. If the inside is not sealed, the constant hydration and dehydration (wetting and drying) that will occur with use will age and crack the instrument from the inside out. This can eventually lead to air leaks and the need for costly repair.

The outside is sealed for similar reasons but with the added function to enhance the beauty of the wood grain and/or Aboriginal artwork it protects.
Technical info
The outside is sealed to protect the instrument from humidity, temperature changes, moisture, contaminants (e.g. from the skin), sunlight and mild mechanical damage. Because we place a guarantee on all our didgeridoos it is imperative to us that we are able to present them to the buyer in perfect condition.

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Didgeridoo Mouthpiece


In the final stages of our handcrafting process we hand mold a wax or wooden mouthpiece, test it for 'playability' and then key the instrument. The 'key' or note of the didgeridoo is important for its compatibility when played with other musical instruments.

Because we offer both wood grain and painted instruments, we now select which ones are to be sent to Aboriginal artists.

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Didgeridoo Artwork

All Aboriginal artwork that appears on an Echo Tree didgeridoo is a unique hand painted indigenous creation.
Once artwork has been hand painted onto the instrument, a number of further protective layers are applied to enhance and protect the artwork. Finally we execute an extensive quality control check and test the musical quality of each didgeridoo.

At this stage we also set our prices according to sound quality, artwork, shape, aesthetics, etc.

With each finished didgeridoo we also include a 20-page information booklet and mouthpiece protector. This completes the package and makes the instrument ready for sale.

At Echo Tree we are proud to place the NIAAA label on our didgeridoos. The National Indigenous Arts Advocacy Association label is your assurance of authenticity.
Technical info
Another consideration we have made is in regards to protection during transit, particularly air travel. Unsealed or inadequately sealed didgeridoos are susceptible to significant dehydration during air travel because of the low humidity conditions that air cargo is exposed to. By properly sealing our instruments we are able to ensure that these conditions will not affect them or their functionality in any way.

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We are always interested in feedback about our didgeridoos and supporting products, and welcome your contact. feedback@echotree.com.au
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