MAHARAJA Basic Tabla Set, Student Tabla Set, Steel Bayan, Dayan, Hammer, Cushions & Cover - Perfect Tablas for Students and Beginners on Budget, Tabla Drums, Indian Hand Drums (PDI-IB)

I was very impressed by the quality service we received by the vendor (buy Ragini of India). We got the merchandise in just 8 days from order to deliver; and the shipment was packed with care and professionalism. It was neatly packaged and all care was taken that it reaches the destination of almost 10,000 miles away (Delhi to Austin, TX)with absolutely no scratch or damage. We were very impressed by the expedient service and professionalism of the vendor. That is truly remarkable. I have just one suggestion to make and it is not a criticism. The inside packing was done using hard white packing material in bits and pieces which resulted in both parts of the Tabla being fully covered with small plastic pieces which were difficult to remove. Apparently the person who packed it did not have good training. Unpacking the set from inside the box was a chore and made the room dirty. In future it may be advisable to use clear plastic bags to wrap the set and then use foam to secure them in place. These foam pieces can be easily remover without making anything dirty. That is the only lapse we found.The set is beautifully made. It has superb resonant sound and is a joy to play. It looks like it came fully tuned so that I don't have to do the elaborate tuning. Its looks are also very pleasant. It came with its own box (cardboard container in the shape of a box with locks and keys and even a handle to carry around). This box can be reused and is handy to have around. The shipment also contained a beautiful "hammer" for tuning as well as a very useful book with useful information about Tabla as well a set of cushion for the two pieces of the set.Student Model Classic Steel Tabla Set 2 KG (PDI-IB)I highly recommend the set as well as the vendor. Buy Ragini is a class merchant who can render fast and efficient service.

One of the negative reviewers complained about receiving a bayan with hair and a strong dead-animal odor. It's possible I received the same one, repackaged. The skins of many of these bayans must be produced in a cheap rush, and so certain strips used for the rim weren't properly tanned. BUT the smell can be extracted in a variety of ways, and scented talcum/baby powder (for playing), among other things, should eventually impart new smells to the instrument. All of this I learned from a little bit of web browsing. Easiest technique for extracting the "dead animal smell" is probably what I did: chop up a bag of apples (or even just cores and skins, if you're using the fruit for something else), place the bits in a trash bag and tie it shut with the bayan on top of the apples (with a grate or plate to keep juices separate from skin). Let the drum sit in the bag for a day or so (room temp, as always) and wipe it off, repeating with fresh bag & new apples a second time, if needed. The fruit absorbs the smell.Even with all of that, I'll say this is a great value because the tabla is perfect, and everything in the photo arrives as seen (covers and bases vary). My background being that of a bass player, I'm used to re-tuning so only time will tell whether that is a serious flaw. (plenty of med-high quality stringed instruments go out of tune routinely). But, as a starter kit, it seems equivalent to a Fender Squier or any cheap rock drumset.

For the price, the tabla set is good. I do feel that the Steel Bayan is not well tuned or something as it does not produce deep sound. The packaging is well done for long distance shipment but the box seems fragile and low quality.

Very nice tabla for anyone who wants to start with. Great sound and nice packing. Highly recommend.

I am surprised by all the 5 star reviews. We ordered the tabla with little knowledge of what a good one sounds like. We were very pleased with the customer service and how soon it arrived. Also it was packaged very well. However the quality of the tablas is a different matter. The left tabla (bayan) is the better one of the two. Still it rolls around quite a bit while playing and the sound is hollow and tinny. The right tabla is probably the worst one there is. The tuning is way off. It sounds more like someone playing on a cardboard box. Very muffled and painful to hear. My son who has been learning tabla for almost 2 years is ready to give it up because of how bad it sounds. Only after I promised to buy him a better quality tabla, he has agreed to keep learning. I paid $170 for these, so they are by no means cheap. Yet they are very cheaply made. Please take my advice and order your tablas from Mukta Das or another better store. Those may cost you more, but that is because they are made of high quality. I personally have buyer's remorse about this purchase

I am not a tabla player or an expert by any means. My 6 year old son wanted to learn the tabla and started taking a class locally. He needed the instrument so we can also practice at home. This works well for his needs. I am sure he will need a more professional grade set as he goes along into the next few years.Locally the music school was asking for $300 for a set, so this price was much more reasonable.The packing was great. The tablas were protected and nothing was missing. I recommend it to these who are new to the instrument but want to learn on a genuine grade product.