These instruments are made from woods that I have personally harvested. Most come from dead or fallen trees on my property. The shapes and bores of these instruments, although influenced by the shape of the log, are not random. They are created after years of examining bores of excellent instruments and learning what each has to offer. Each instrument is unique, and hand crafted ... not mass produced.
The logs are first shaped by visualizing the bore that I wish to create, adding to that vision the desired thickness of instrument's walls. It helps me to think of the wooden shell of the instrument as the container for the bore, and the bore as the actual instrument.
Once the outside has been shaped, the log is then split, hollowed and glued back together. After it has been sanded and final shaping has been done, the inside and outside are coated with an epoxy. This adds to the brightness of the sound, seals the wood from moisture, and helps to ensure that the instrument will hold up well to years and years of playing with little or no maintenance.
All of these instruments have a mouthpiece that is formed from the wood, and no wax is required. The mouthpieces openings are all the same diameter as the inside bore, making them really easy to drone or toot.
For more details on how these instruments are made, click here.
Here are a couple of quotes from some of the wonderful people who have purchased Balan'daki.
- Irwin Rosenbaum:
"Not to sound metaphysical or new age, but this didj has taken me on trips I've never been on before."
- Ian Hesford:
"John's Balan'daki instruments are without a doubt the most articulate
and consistent players I've ever had the pleasure to work with. By
articulate I mean that every little thing that you do inside your mouth
while playing is projected out loud and clear, well above the drone. The
pleasingly rich overtones [harmonics] cut through and ring out over a wide range from high to low.
His instruments have a responsiveness matched only by the rarest of
traditionally crafted instruments. I know that John's instruments will surely be a permanent part of
my performances from now on and I would recomend them highly to players
of all levels. [more ...]"
- Brandi Chase:
"This is the first didjeridu I had to beg to buy. I wouldn't have
wanted it so bad, if it weren't for the fact that it was the first
instrument to inspire my desire to play again."
- Martin Schiff
"Last year at the Joshua Tree Didgeridoo Festival, I spent quite a few
hours looking around and trying out didges. I am very particular about
didges, and my absolute top priority is that they must be very
responsive with a great sound, and right on concert pitch. I found only
two didges that "spoke" to me out of the hundreds that were there. One
was a large "B" agave at LA Outback, that got snapped up before I had
made up my mind, and the second was a beautiful "F" walnut didge made by
John Madill. It plays like a dream, and to top it off, it looks like a
piece of fine furniture. John is a real artist, and I highly recommend
his didges! He also puts a great deal of himself into the instruments
and it is obvious that he is making them for the love of the instruments
more than as a business. It's also very cool that he harvests the wood
right on his own property."
 |
Ambrosia |
| This instrument is made from Ambrosia Maple, and is quite stunning in appearance. The maple is called "ambrosia" because the interesting coloration are caused by the tree fending off an attack by the larvae of the ambrosia beetle.
This excellent player is topped off with black walnut trim rings on the mouthpiece and bell ends.
Includes custom made didj bag. |
| Key: |
E |
| Wood: |
Ambrosia Maple |
| Length: |
65 1/2" |
| Mouthpiece: |
1 3/4" OD |
| Bell: |
5 1/4" OD |
| Price: |
Sold - Thanks David! |
|
 |
Green Monster |
| One look at the color of the wood and the dimensions of this beauty will tell you why it's called the Green Monster! Six feet long and a 7 1/2" bell and still only a high E.
Don't let the size fool you, it's a wonderful player with great back pressure and toots. It has a Holly wooden trim ring on the mouthpiece.
Includes custom made didj bag. |
| Key: |
E |
| Wood: |
Honey Locust |
| Length: |
72" |
| Mouthpiece: |
1 3/4" OD |
| Bell: |
7 1/2" OD |
| Price: |
SOLD - Thanks, Ian! |
|
 |
Magnum |
| This didj is a ripper! This instrument was inspired by a wonderful yirdaki made by Djalu' Gurruwiwwi that I imported and sold. It is tuned to the key of G, has a great bell and plays nice and fast. Great vocals, toots and back pressure.
The cherry wood that it's made of is just gorgeous. Great flame and coloration in the wood. It has a spalted maple trim ring on the mouthpiece.
Trivia: The reason this instrument is called Magnum isn't obvious. When I harvested this tree, unbeknownst to me, it was absolutely covered with Poison Ivy. So I got a major case of P.I. and what came to mind?
Magnum, P.I.
Includes custom made didj bag. |
| Key: |
High G |
| Wood: |
Cherry |
| Length: |
58 1/2" |
| Mouthpiece: |
1 1/2" OD |
| Bell: |
5 3/4" OD |
| Price: |
Sold |
|
 |
Black & Tan |
| With it's gentle taper and dark walnut color combined with the lighter color of the sap wood at the bottom, this one is a beaut. The slight taper allows it to play both fast and meditative.
The walls are pretty thin and the density of the walnut really makes you feel what this didj has to say.
Includes custom made didj bag. |
| Key: |
E Flat (Eb) |
| Wood: |
Black Walnut |
| Length: |
61" |
| Mouthpiece: |
1 3/4" OD |
| Bell: |
3 1/2" OD |
| Price: |
$550.00 |
|
 |
Standing Tall |
| The tree this didj came from had been dead for many years, and was still standing. The ash wood is very dense, so the tone of this didj is quite wonderful. Great back pressure and toots!
The closed bell is unique, which makes this didj play very quickly and sound much lower than it is.
Includes custom made didj bag. |
| Key: |
F Sharp (F#) |
| Wood: |
Ash |
| Length: |
62" |
| Mouthpiece: |
1 1/2" OD |
| Bell: |
4 3/4" OD |
| Price: |
$550.00 |
|
 |
Tusk |
| This is one of my favorites. The white color of the maple, combined with the gentle twists and taper makes it look like an ivory tusk. It plays so sweetly and toots really well. The first toot is right on the octave at Eb. Second is on B, third on F. The fourth is on A. Sometimes I can hit a fifth toot, but not reliably enough to figure out what note! Plays both fast and slow and has excellent back pressure.
The mouthpiece end of this didj is topped with a holly trim ring.
Includes custom made didj bag. |
| Key: |
E Flat (Eb) |
| Wood: |
Maple |
| Length: |
69" |
| Mouthpiece: |
1 3/4" OD |
| Bell: |
4 1/2" OD |
| Price: |
SOLD - Thanks, Gardner! |
|
 |
Cherry Bomb |
| This one is "The Bomb!" It is the little sister of the one Brandi Chase bought at Joshua Tree, made from the same tree and inspired by that didj. The first time I played it, I couldn't put it down. The long, graceful taper gives it an extremely balanced sound. Toots, harmonics, drone and vocals are great, with excellent backpressure. First toot is right on the octave at E, the second is at C, third at F#, and the fourth is at Bb.
The cherry has some wonderful coloration patterns and some nice burl at the bell end.
Includes custom made didj bag. |
| Key: |
E |
| Wood: |
Cherry |
| Length: |
63 1/2" |
| Mouthpiece: |
1 1/2" OD |
| Bell: |
4 1/4" OD |
| Price: |
Sold - Thanks, Scott! |
|
 |
Sugar Daddy |
| This spalted sugar maple didj, topped with a cocobolo mouthpiece is really beautiful, but the way it plays is incredible. Spalting is the name for the beautiful colorations and patterns caused by the decay process.
The first toot is below the octave, and is smooth and easy to hit. The drone is even and has lots of great growl. Excellent backpressure and vocals. It has a harmonic ring to it that is beautiful.
Includes custom made didj bag. |
| Key: |
F |
| Wood: |
Spalted Sugar Maple |
| Length: |
61" |
| Mouthpiece: |
1 3/4" OD |
| Bell: |
5" OD |
| Price: |
Sold |
|
 |
Barrier Baby |
| This D is without a doubt the best D I've played. Keep in mind that my taste in instruments may be different than yours, and I am biased. <g> Toots are nice and round and are at D, Bb, Eb and A. It has a really bright, crisp sound, with great vocals and snarl.
The mouthpiece trim ring is made from cocobolo (see inset). Because it has a little larger bore than the others I've made, it has a little less back pressure, but this is to be expected for a D.
Includes custom made didj bag. |
| Key: |
D |
| Wood: |
Spalted Maple |
| Length: |
69 1/2" |
| Mouthpiece: |
2" OD |
| Bell: |
4" OD |
| Price: |
Sold |
|
 |
Sprout |
| Remember the Jolly Green Giant? Well, his little friend was named "Sprout." Although this one is related to the green monster on this page, it's a bit smaller. Don't get me wrong, it's still pretty massive, though. It is topped off with a holly mouthpiece (see inset).
It is a really well rounded E. It is bright, crisp. even and LOUD. The backpressure on the Locust E is high, but works really well for articulate tongue technique. Toots are: Eb, B, F, and A.
Includes custom made didj bag. |
| Key: |
E |
| Wood: |
Honey Locust |
| Length: |
67 1/2" |
| Mouthpiece: |
1 3/4" OD |
| Bell: |
5 1/2" OD |
| Price: |
SOLD - Thanks, Gardner! |
|
 |
Sidekick |
| This one came from the same tree as the Barrier Baby. The spalting, ambrosia and worm holes make this one as nice to feel as it is to look at. It is a really great player, too! Toots are D, Bb, and E. Really good back pressure so it plays fast. It has a really even and crisp sound, with great vocals and growl.
The mouthpiece trim ring is made from cocobolo (see inset).
Includes custom made didj bag. |
| Key: |
Eb |
| Wood: |
Spalted Maple |
| Length: |
69" |
| Mouthpiece: |
1 3/4" OD |
| Bell: |
3 1/2" OD |
| Price: |
$600.00 |
|
These instruments are made from woods that I have personally harvested. Most come from dead or fallen trees on my property. The shapes and bores of these instruments, although influenced by the shape of the log, are not random. They are created after years of examining bores of excellent instruments and learning what each has to offer. Each instrument is unique, and hand crafted ... not mass produced. 
