Valje's (LA address age) value?

[Tonio]

How much are LA-Valje's conga, tumba - good condition worth? maybe needs new skins.

T

[Tonio]

Quickly !!

T

[No.2-1820]

I personally would pay around 350 a piece if they were in good shape (obviously less if I could!), I don't count skins in the price as I usually expect to replace them anyway. They go for more sometimes but I would wait if they were asking more than that, they do come up quite frequently. Just my personal opinion mind, I'm a big fan of these drums but I've learned to be more patient as time goes on.

Barrie

[No.2-1820]

PS.. There are two LA addresses for Valje, each indicating a different time frame.

[bongosnotbombs]

Hard to say without pictures.

Poor condition $200-$300
Good condiition $300-400
Excellent condition $400-$500

Look on the inside, if there are rectangular plates behind the lugplates the drum
was made in the 60's according to Ralph Flores. If washers or something else, it's later
than that.

[Tonio]

Thank s

I'll post pics later, I'm guessing 70's era.

T

[bongosnotbombs]

Thank s

I'll post pics later, I'm guessing 70's era.

T

Does that mean you bought them?

[Tonio]

No bottom bands... hhmm not sure I would get these from Tennessee.

They look to be in good condition.

T

[bongosnotbombs]

Definitely good condition, worth between $700-$800 for the set in my opinion.
The bottom bands on Valjes are purely decorational. There is usually a small
gap between the metal and wood. Still it's a part that is missing, maybe a point to
make to lower the price.

[Bongobilly]

That's a nice looking drum, what kind of wood did they use on Valje's?

[pcastag]

Quarter sawn oak.
PC

[Tonio]

Definitely good condition, worth between $700-$800 for the set in my opinion.
The bottom bands on Valjes are purely decorational. There is usually a small
gap between the metal and wood. Still it's a part that is missing, maybe a point to
make to lower the price.

I did'nt know Valje's band was decorational. Definately a bartering point

Thanks G!!

T

[Omelenko1]

I always enjoyed the sound of the Tom Flores Valje congas. I have had at least 4 sets, Enclosed is the last set I had, along with my Juniors and Mongo's Vergara bongo'. This last Valje set had an oversized super tumba and it had a great bottom sound. I always preferred Valjes over Gon Bops. I bought my first Valje set in 1972 from Tom Flores personally in his shop at Sunset Blvd. when I got out of the Army. Definitely classy congas!

Dario