Stonewave Taiko was formed in the Bega area about 12 months ago by well-known percussionist David Hewitt.

Mr Hewitt was a founding member of TaikOz and after moving to the Valley, said he was approached by people wanting him to do something on a smaller scale here.

“The big barrier was instruments though,” Mr Hewitt said.

“I had a couple of my own but that was it.”

Additional taiko drums were a little out of reach for a fledgling club in a regional area – “upwards of $10-12,000” depending on the size.

However, an old car tyre salvaged free from the nearest tip, wrapped in two $1.50 rolls of sticky tape, makes a pretty good sound!

“I stumbled on to a taiko club in Texas that was doing this and thought if the worse comes to worst, I can make my own,” Mr Hewitt said.

“I also dodgied up my old drum kits, covering the skins with gaffa tape to thicken them.

“I advertised classes, hoping for a dozen, but got totally slammed with 50 members signing up.

“Every arvo I was wrapping tyres with sticky tape!”

Mr Hewitt said the tyre taiko drums – which take about 45 minutes each to make - are cheap, make a decent sound when struck, are ideal for beginners looking to learn technique rather than perform concerts – and can be easily repaired.

“They’re not too loud – taiko classes can be a chaos of sound – so people can concentrate more on seeing and coordinating with each other.”

However, the benefits of new real taiko drums has “absolutely transformed” Stonewave Mr Hewitt said.

Stonewave Taiko received $3000 in the Mumbulla Foundation grants handed out in December.

It also is set to receive a share in the $25,000 Southern Phones Mayoral Grant scheme presented to the council recently.

“The difference between my dodgy drums and real taiko drums is profound,” Mr Hewitt said.

“We had two real ones and now we have six.

“Without even saying anything, everyone’s performance improved 100 per cent.”

Mr Hewitt said the next vision is to start producing taiko drums with seed money received from a philanthropist in Byron Bay.

“We’re in the really early stages, but this is something I’m so excited about.”

He said entry level drums can cost around $1500, with professional-quality imported ones heading north of $10,000.

 “I’m sure we can produce way better than that here for competitive prices,” Mr Hewitt said.

“We have access to a lot of beautiful material and quality workmanship in the area.

“This is possibly a small business emerging.

“I’m knocked out to get to here in a year [from starting the group].”