There are many musical instruments that can be associated with a specific person or a particular culture. The daf instrument is one of those musical instruments. It is one of the oldest musical instruments in the world. You can find cave paintings of the daf instrument in the region held by the Assyrian empire; however, the daf instrument is thought to exist way before that. Old Arabic and Persian music are incomplete without the use of a daf instrument. It is a very simple frame drum used in both classical and modern music. The daf instrument was traditionally made out of wood with cow or fish skin used as a membrane; however, these days, you can find a lot of variety in daf instruments. It is also known by other names like dafli, duff, dof, gaval, and some others.
What are the Best Daf Instruments to Buy?
2) Sala Muzik Erbane Persian Daf EP 009
- Mahogany Wooden Body
- Finest Quality Wooden Circular Band
- Goat Skin Material
1) Sala Persian Professional Habibi Daf
- Synthetic Head
- Good Quality Metal Ringlets
- Dual Tone - Red at Inner Part & Black at Outer Part
3) Sala Bendir Persian Daf AD 104
- Synthetic Head
- Exquisite Striped Pattern Membrane
- Comfortable to Play
It was prominently used in classical and Sufi music, but the unique sound created by the daf instrument has also made its way into the modern music world. Its Arabic and Persian origin has made it a very significant musical instrument in Muslim countries. However these days you can find loads of varieties of daf instruments in the western world as well. Not only can you find traditional daf instruments, but you can also find modernized and customized versions of the instrument as well.
You can find a daf instrument from your local music store. If you do not have a music store near your house, then there is nothing to worry about. We are living in an era of information technology. There are many online stores that offer daf instruments made with different materials and available at a wide range of prices. The wide range of daf instrument prices ensures that there is something for everyone in the market. Daf instruments can be found for a few dollars to a few hundred dollars. However, the choice of your daf instrument depends on your preferences. Some people might prefer a particular material, while others might give more importance to the size of the daf instrument. So at the end of the day, your buying decision depends on the features you are looking for.
20 Best Daf Instrument Reviews
1. Sala Persian Professional Habibi Daf
The Sala Persian Professional Habibi Daf showcases a unique black and red appearance. The frame of the daf instrument has a 54cm diameter. It carries a dual-tone, red towards the inner part and black towards the outer part of the daf instrument. The membrane of the daf instrument has a white base with brown textures. The entire look of this daf instrument is pleasing to the eyes.
A layer of ringlets is attached in the inner circumference of the daf instrument. These ringlets are made out of good quality metal, which improves the sound that the daf instrument makes. A soft case is also included with this daf instrument, which makes it easier to hold.
2. Sala Muzik Erbane Persian Daf EP 009
The Sala Muzik Erbane Persian Daf EP 009 is made out of the finest quality wood. The wooden circular band that holds the sheet of the drum is made of mahogany, giving it a reddish color. The sheet that is placed between the circular bands is made out of high-quality goatskin.
Screws are placed to secure the wooden band and sheet together in place and keep it in shape. Small metal rings, in loops of three, are placed inside the daf instrument, which makes a beautiful sound when shaken. With a 51cm diameter, this daf instrument is very easy to play and hold.
3. Sala Bendir Persian Daf AD 104
The Sala Bendir Persian Daf AD 104 is a high-quality daf instrument that comes with a soft case. It has a diameter of 21.25 inches. The frame of the daf instrument is made of durable wood, and the outer layer features a reddish-brown color. Metal ringlets are placed all around the inner layer of the wooden frame. The main purpose of these ringlets is to help create the sound from the daf instrument.
The membrane of the daf instrument has an exquisite striped pattern, with stripes extending from each end towards the middle. A small space is free of metal ringlets, which allow users to hold the daf instrument with ease.
4. Afshari Professional Persian Daf AD 304
The Afshari Professional Persian Daf AD 304 is a three mohr daf instrument that is specially designed to create a natural Iranian daf instrument sound. The frame is made purely from high-quality wood and is connected using durable nails. The base of the daf instrument has a unique appearance, which showcases a brown paper-like texture.
The daf instrument comes in a size of 54cm diameter. This makes it easier to hold and carry. Small rings are attached to the inner frame, which helps in creating the sound of the daf instrument. The daf instrument comes with a soft case, which further eases its portability.
5. Meinl Percussion 20" Daf FD20D-TF
The Meinl Percussion 20" Daf FD20D-TF comes with metal rings. The head of the daf instrument is coated with an African synthetic brown finishing. The two-year warranty for the Meinl Percussion 20" Daf FD20D-TF is guaranteed. The metal rings at the sides of the daf instrument produce a perfect Persian sound that can be changed with the motion of hand movements.
The pre-tuning of the daf instrument is done to maintain a desirable pitch. The synthetic head protects the daf instrument to change its shape due to changes in weather. The Meinl Percussion 20" Daf FD20D-TF provides a touch of eastern music, but it can also be used to add different tastes in contemporary music.
6. Sala Muzik Persian Painting Daf NDR 155
The Sala Muzik Persian Painting Daf NDR 155 is a unique type of daf instrument that features a beautiful painting on the base. The frame and the membrane are made of high-quality materials. The entire diameter of the frame is 54cm. The outer, wooden frame is covered with black synthetic material to enhance the look of the daf instrument.
The inner layer is used to hook metal ringlets all around except for a small spot. The spot left blank is where the daf instrument is to be held. The membrane has a beautiful painting of a woman in the center with flowers and birds in the background.
7. Trirmusic Habibi Persian Daf HD 101
The Trirmusic Habibi Persian Daf HD 101 is a beautifully made instrument used to create a sweet melody. It features a soft and simple case which can easily be held. Many thin and small metal rings are intricately placed in the inner layer of the daf instrument. These rings are made using good quality metal, which allows the daf instrument to make a pleasant sound.
The diameter of the daf instrument is only 54cm, which makes it easy to carry around. The simplistic style and the good quality of material used to make this daf instrument ensure its users to have a good experience while playing it.
8. Sala Persian Bendir Daf NDS 101
The Sala Persian Bendir Daf NDS 101 has a diameter of 54cm and comes with a soft case. It showcases a simple design with no prints and paintings on the membrane of the daf instrument. The skin of the daf instrument is plain, with no textures. The outer layer's base is made using wood and is covered using a synthetic rubber material.
The synthetic rubber is attached to the daf instrument using pins on the perimeter of the daf instrument. The quality of the ringlets affects the sound of the daf instrument, which is why high-quality metal ringlets are used. The simple design ensures that the sound of the daf instrument is pleasant.
9. Padouk and Hadadi Remo Hapa Daf PDR 101
The Padouk and Hadadi Remo Hapa Daf PDR 101 is known to be the world's best and number 1 tunable daf instrument drum. The special feature of the Padouk and Hadadi Remo Hapa Daf PDR 101 is that the head of the drum is made up of the skin of Remo, and so it is named the Remo Hapa.
The daf instrument is the most enhanced and advanced version of the daf instrument in today's era. This is because the daf instrument consists of rich and high overtones that also provide comfort for the users to hold it with a good grip while playing. As the Remo Hapa is an updated version of the Persian drum, it has around eight tuning points to make it completely tunable.
10. Sala Erbane Bendir Persian Painting Daf
The Sala Erbane Bendir Persian Painting Daf is the most beautiful daf instrument among the other drums. The beautiful hand-painted calligraphy on the daf instrument reflects the Persian and Turkish culture. The Sala Erbane Bendir Persian Painting Daf is the most elite piece among the drum instruments. The soft bag is also provided along with the daf instrument so that the beautiful masterpiece will not be destroyed by the weather changes.
The Sala Erbane Bendir Persian Painting Daf consists of the mesmerizing collage work that enhances the beauty of the instrument. The daf instrument is surely a remarkable masterpiece that also comes in different styles of Persian and Turkish artwork.
11. Musicanshop Khorshidi Design Daf
The Musicanshop Khorshidi Design Daf is another masterpiece among the daf instruments. It consists of a different design and reflects Khorshidi art. The spots on the daf instrument provide friction so that the sound produces the best quality. The Musicanshop Khorshidi Design Daf includes a soft bag for free so that it provides a perfect and a comfortable grip to the users, and the synthetic head of the daf instrument protects it from changing its form.
The Musicanshop Khorshidi Design Daf is a unique feature and makes the daf instrument stand out from the other daf instruments. The daf instrument is not pre-tuned, but it does provide a different pitch of sounds due to the spots on the head.
12. Habibi Persian Elite Daf
The Habibi Persian Elite Daf is 54cm in diameter, which makes it very easy to hold and play. The basic frame is made using good quality wood. What makes it different from other daf instruments is the unique look of this daf instrument. The outer layer of the daf instrument is covered using a suede material.
The suede is attached using silver pins to the wooden frame. The skin of the daf instrument has small prominent spots to create more friction and produce different sounds. Ringlets are attached to the inner perimeter of the daf instrument. These ringlets are made using nickel and maintain their natural silver finish.
13. Habibi Small Erbane Persian Daf HDK 202
The Habibi Small Erbane Persian Daf HDK 202 is highly used and recommended by the Iranian, Kurdish, and Persian professionals. The daf instrument has a synthetic head that is used to provide a perfect and unique drumhead texture so that the user can play it comfortably.
The Habibi Small Erbane Persian Daf HDK 202 is pre-tuned, and that is why the pitch of the daf instrument remains constant while playing it for a longer period. The bass sound can be changed depending upon the size of the drum shells. If you prefer a loud and high pitch, then go for the wide drum shells. But if you are looking for a soft sound, then the narrow drum shell is the best suitable one.
14. Trirmusic Turkish Bendir Daf EB 130
The Trirmusic Turkish Bendir Daf EB 130 is the best quality daf instrument drum of the Turkish Bendir. The drum consists of hornbeam that is made up of the natural head wood. The soft case of the drum head of the Trirmusic Turkish Bendir Daf EB 130 allows the moisture to get absorbed and provides a perfect grip to the users.
The wood of the surface of the drum is the Walnut wood that gives the daf instrument an elite look. There are no drum shells with the daf instrument for pre-tuning it. We can say that the Trirmusic Turkish Bendir Daf EB 130 is a simple daf instrument as compared to the ones that have the pre-tuning feature.
15. Emin Percussion Persian Erbane Daf EP 009 A
The Emin Percussion Persian Erbane Daf EP 009 A is a high-quality daf instrument that features a synthesis skin. The outer frame is made using durable wood in uniquely mahogany color. The materials used in producing this daf instrument are of great quality, which ensures that the user's experience will be excellent.
Metal ringlets, which are painted in silver, are attached to the inner layer of the daf instrument. This daf instrument has a 51cm diameter, bit smaller than a standard size, which makes it easy to hold. The high-quality synthesis of skin and ringlets create a beautiful and pleasant sound when the daf instrument is played.
16. Padouk Remo Tunable Persian Daf
The Padouk Remo Tunable Persian Daf is one of a kind, with its stunning brown color on the base of the daf instrument. The overall look of this daf instrument is different from a simple daf instrument. It features a tunable function to aid in producing superior quality sound. The frame of the daf instrument is made from premium quality and thicker wood that enhances its durability.
The ringlets that are attached to the inner frame are silver in color as usual ones. It is in 53 diameters with a standard size that eases for an adult to hold with. The daf instrument comes with a soft case that able to cope with accidental physical impact. It can resist wear and tear and protects the daf instrument. This adds value to the daf instrument.
17. HaPa Erbane Persian Drum PDR 201
The HaPa Erbane Persian Drum PDR 201 is the pre-tuned daf instrument that is used by the professionals only. The daf instrument has wide drum shells that produce a high sound of the bass. Similarly, there are narrow drum shells that produce a low or a soft bass sound. Due to these sounds, the daf instrument pre-tune consists of four different widths or sizes of drum shells.
The variety of sizes of the drum shells produces different sounds and tones, and the users pick the one that is according to the size of the hand. The most amazing feature about the HaPa Erbane Persian Drum PDR 201 is that it is made up of drumheads of synthetic Romeo that is called the Fish Skin. The Fish Skin looks like a real one and provides good resistance to the users.
18. Musicanshop Habibi Persian Erbane Daf
The Musicanshop Habibi Persian Erbane Daf comes with a free soft bag that provides comfort to the users. This soft bag has foam inside so that the players and hold the daf instrument comfortably as it absorbs the moisture of the hands and prevents the daf instrument from slipping. The Musicanshop Habibi Persian Erbane Daf creates high friction to produce a better quality sound and maintain the level of pitch.
The sound and the pitch are maintained by the tiny spots on the skin of the daf instrument drum. There are no drum shells attached to the daf instrument to pre-tune it. Instead of the drum shells, the spots on the skin of the daf instrument produce the best quality sound.
19. Trirmusic Persian Bendir Painting Daf
The Trirmusic Persian Bendir Painting Daf is an Iranian, Kurdish, and Persian Erbane frame drum. The head of the daf instrument is synthetic that protects the daf instrument from changing its shape or form. The Trirmusic Persian Bendir Painting Daf different from all the other daf instruments because it is beautifully painted that is producing a creative and an arty look for the users.
The Trirmusic Persian Bendir Painting Daf is specially painted for special kinds of players. There are those players who are more into trend and fashion and therefore prefer a bit fancy daf instrument. The daf instrument comes with a soft bag to provide a comfortable grip.
20. Sala Muzik Persian Habibi Erbane Daf HDE 101
The Sala Muzik Persian Habibi Erbane Daf HDE 101 is specifically used by the Iranian, Kurdish and Persian professional musicians. One of the best features of the soft case daf instrument is that the drum head is inconsiderate according to any climatic change. Therefore, the soft case daf instrument has a soft bad cover of foam.
The soft case daf instrument can simply be tuned according to the most preferred pitch and tone. The drumhead of the soft case daf instrument is made up of synthetic element that helps to absorb all the moisture while playing it. Since the soft case, the daf instrument is pre-tunes; it remains the same throughout the performance and provides a consistent pitch.
Choosing the Best Daf Instruments
These are some of the most majestic daf instruments available in the market. If you are into Sufi, Middle Eastern, Persian, or subcontinental music, then you should definitely get yourself a daf instrument. It is easy to use and can be easily shipped to your house through Amazon. You can find some amazing variety of daf instruments on Amazon. The best thing about buying a daf instrument from Amazon is that you get to choose from a wide range of brands and features.
2) Sala Muzik Erbane Persian Daf EP 009
- Mahogany Wooden Body
- Finest Quality Wooden Circular Band
- Goat Skin Material
1) Sala Persian Professional Habibi Daf
- Synthetic Head
- Good Quality Metal Ringlets
- Dual Tone - Red at Inner Part & Black at Outer Part
3) Sala Bendir Persian Daf AD 104
- Synthetic Head
- Exquisite Striped Pattern Membrane
- Comfortable to Play
You can also check the reviews of existing users to see how a certain daf instrument functions. The reviews of existing customers are crucial for new buyers as they help the buyers make a better purchasing decision. In addition to professional music, a daf instrument can also be used for fun activities like when you go camping. You can play the daf instrument while sitting around the fire. Once you know how to use a daf instrument, you can create some very unique music with it that would enlighten the entire atmosphere.