Skin On Skin vs. Gon Bops California

[Doctorumba]

I played 3 Gon Bops Califronia model the other day at Guitar Center and they sounded great,however at about $700 each,it makes you think.They sounded as good my Skin On Skins from Jay.Has anyone else compared the sound of the new Gon Bops to Skin on Skin.Given a choice,which ones would you guys buy ? Here are my SOS.Saludando a los rumberos ! Dario

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[onile]

Oye Papa!
I've had the pleasure of playing and owning a set of 3 California Model GonBops, but unfortunately not Skin-on-Skin. I know that I am pleased with the sound of G/Bs, but S-o-S's have the beauty down pat, sin fallo papa! I'm sure that if they sound as great as they look, there would be no comparison.

I was commenting to someone the other day Abure Doctorumba regarding YOUR collection of drums, and how they were absolutely beautiful, and well cared for. I'm hoping to get a set of JCRs, but I have an affinity towards the larger drums (13" or 14"), and hopefully Isaac has been able to save me one or two if they've made them by now.

Llevatela suave mi pana!

Onile!

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[pcastag]

Just remeber, the new California Series Gon Bops are made by Akbar from Sol percusion. IF you ever saw heard or played Sol, you know they were excellent quality drums. I too own a set of skin on skins ( cherry wood) but I would've really liked an oak or mahogany quinto from Akbar.
PC

[onile]

Alafia Abures!
Espero que todo este bien con mis panas!

So tell me, is Jay B. still producing his drums? I seem to remember reading on this forum that he no longer was due to an illness. In which case I guess the only way to obtain a set is on Ebay, or from another owner willing to sell them off. Either way, they are still beautiful and I take from the two of you who happen to own a set each, that they sound great as well.

Abure Pcastag! I don't doubt that Akbar's previous endeavor, Sol Percussion, was a great drum. The other day I was looking at the old Sol website and saw the various styles of drums he produced. The G/Bs I currently own, were produced by him and let me say that they are built for battle my brother. They are sturdy, meaning well built together, and sound incredible. He does do great work. I have a set of Fats that are made of Cherry wood and they sound even better, and are much lighter in weight, a much added and appreciated feature. Are the S-o-Ss which you have in Cherry wood light also?

Suave!

Onile!

[Doctorumba]

Last time I spoke to Jay Berek he was getting a knee replacement and he wasn't making anything until he was fully recovered,but is been a while.Also, he was devastated by the death of his Puerto Rican wife,Maria.When we last spoke,he had a one year waiting list for his drums.The congas in my picture are maple,the first one,and the other two are oak.The maple one is the only one he has ever made and said he would never make another one because it broke some of his blades.They all sound incredible,but the maple one besides the beauty of the wood, has an incredible sound.All 3 are on the heavy side,I know cherry tends to be lighter but the sound is not as bright.You can get incridible slaps from the machos and they are both 11 3/4".The oak hembra is 12 1/2".Que no se pare la rumba ! Dario

[pcastag]

Yeah, the cherries are a lot lighter than the oak drums, but they don't have the bite, they have a really nice warm full sound.That's why i wanted to get an 11" oak quinto to use inb the middle, then use the 12 and 13 cherries for the tones!
PC

[maSSivdrums]

Aloha Onile,

I know you're into your "maSSiv" size Drums that offer that sweet thunderous booms with every stroke. I thought I'd share with you my latest edition of "MONSTA" Drums with you and the rest of the forum gang. Attached (I hope) is a pic of my three, rare, Curly Koa Tumba, Super Tumba and Boomba (2nd, 3rd and 4th drums from left to right). Tom at VP did a fabulous job in creating these drums, that offer that "Oh so sweet" and melodic tones. I threw in my vintage Gon Bop Oak Tumba on the left for comparison.

Keep on Poundin'...... Aloha, maSSivdrums

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... II_007.jpg

[maSSivdrums]

Here's a better pic.....

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... II_002.jpg

[onile]

Aloha Brudda maSSivedrums!
Oh Yeah! then there are those incredible looking, and sounding Volcano Percussion drums. Ouch!
Tom is most certainly a 'master craftsman' indeed! They are one of the most beautiful looking drums hands down my brudda!

So how are things going with you on the Island? Been giggin' much? Either way, just being able to play those incredible tubbs is excitement enough right?

Aloha Ohana!

Onile!

[maSSivdrums]

Aloha Onile,

Just recently I've been gigging with my fellow "Bruddahs of da Blue Army" from work, who get together now and then to perform at special work functions. I've been fortunate to play with them and shed my "bedroom musician" status. Attached ( I hope, again) are a couple of pic's from two of our functions.
In the pic with me playing seated, I use a Conga,Tumba, Super Tumba set up, which gives me that real earthy low tone rythms that match the contemporary island music that we perform. I, like you, like that deep rich sound that the BEEG Drums offer.

Keep on Poundin'.... Aloha, maSSivdrums

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[maSSivdrums]

Another pic......

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... 06_013.jpg

[onile]

Great Job Brudda!
I'm glad to see that you are now playing out!
But let me ask you, are you a little worried with those drums in public?
I mean, you must be watching them like a hawk! making sure no one gets too close to scratch them or mess with them!

Keep up with the gigs my brudda! You look good sittin behind them beautiful drums!

Many blessings!

Onile!

[maSSivdrums]

Aloha Onile,

Mahalo, it feels great to be out of the closet and performing live again. Yeah, I know what you mean, I was kinda hesitant about bring them out of my house, but the guys I play with are all cops, so its pretty safe. Though, I kinda cringe when they want to help me carry my drums! :laugh: . Tom told me, Bruddah, I neva make 'um for you to hide 'um. You gotta play 'um!"
Keep on Poundin'....
Aloha, and God Bless, maSSivdrums

[Facundo]

Here's a better pic.....

Mr. maSSivdrums,

Got to call you mister with drums so fantastic looking! Question, can you hear a difference in sound, tone, rosonance between the mango wood and koa drums?

Facundo

[maSSivdrums]

Aloha Facundo,

Please no need to call me Mister, I work for a living, and feel that I am blessed to have these groovin' Volcano Tubs. Believe me when I saw I am a working stiff cuz I worked my a$$ off to get them Curly Koa Tubs!
For me to compare the Mango and Koa sound would be difficult cuz I love them both. If I had to say, the Mango has a bright sound, with great sustain in tone. Slaps are crisp, but that has alot to do with the heads, combined with a well designed tub. We used the Mango drums in the studio to the delight of the music producer. The Mango put out a tone that expanded in height and width, which only required the use of one mic for all three drums. I attribute that to the belly design in these tubs. If you noticed, all these Drums have a good size belly.
As for the Koa Drums, they produce a warm, rich sound. Very earthy. The Koa Drums that I have is a 12.5 Tumba, 13.25 Super Tumba and a 14 in. Boomba. I purposely ordered those sizes in Koa wood for that warm, rich sound which also has a great sustain in tone. I've only owned these Koa Tubs for a couple of months, so I really have'nt had a good chance to put them thru the paces. Koa is a very hard wood, and the Koa wood used to make these drums is very old. According to Tom, the wood that was used to make these Koa Tubs was well over 100 years old! I hope I answered your question.

Keep on Poundin'..... Aloha, maSSivdrums