Possible Vintage quinto? "Norberto" signature ID?

[ABAKUA]

Found on local ebay, $50.00

PRELOVED HANDMADE CONGA OF HARDWOOD , 4 TIGHTENING BARS , AND 3 METAL COOPERING RINGS TOP, MID AND BOTTOM, SEEN MANY PARTYS AND HAS PLENTY OF CHARACTER , STILL MAKES GOOD SOUND , HAS "NORBERTO" SIGNED AROUND THE BASE , WIFE SICK OF TRIPPING OVER IT , NO WAY I'M POSTING IT, SO PICKUP ONLY IF YOU NEED MORE INFO CONTACT ME.

Drum is located approx 20 min from a student of mine. Tinking of snapping it up, the fact it has only 4 lugs is making me think it cant be all that....

Any thoughts on its possible origins? Looks old... No other pics either, the head looks bigger than 11" though, maybe its the angle of the pic?

[jorge]

It doesn't really look like a quinto, and with a pretty large head, only 4 tuning hooks, and the lugs sticking straight out from the shell, I would be very careful trying to tune it up high. With that narrow base it looks like it will give you a booming bass but not that much tone sound at a distance. Since you would have to pick it up anyway, if you are really considering buying it, why not drive over there with $50 in your pocket, tune it up and play it a bit, and then decide? It might sound really nice for something other than quinto. At some point, aren't you going to have to build an extension onto your house to fit all your drums?

[docarroyo]

I say get it take the chance, I have had pretty good luck with project drums brought on line site unseen. I scored a Fat conga which maybe a proto type or salesman sample now being renovated by Matthew Smith and a solid shell drum which people thought to be crap, it was made in Colombia in 66 and after renovation turned out to be a fantastic drum its listed here as strange drum. You can always find a crown and hardware on ebay or order it from JCR or M. Smith etc, if you feel its worth it. This one appeared to have a 8 sided head in the photos online. Also from working on guitars I and many others know that wood as it ages seasons and improves in tonal qualities I also believe this applies to congas old wood is good wood. Good Luck

[KKonga]

You can't go wrong for $50. How tall is the drum?
KK

[ABAKUA]

28" tall....


Im thinking I will pass on it. Not interested in having a drum I cant use.. The fact it has 4 lugs tells me it aint worth it....
And Im a long ass way from Matthew Smith & Caly!!!!