Ritmo Percussion ~ Matthew Smith

[ABAKUA]

I wanted the best, wouldn't settle for less.
No amount of time would matter. Its almost time...

Few finishing touches needed, here is a teaser shot without giving away too much...

9.75" screamer custom Requinto. - That aint the head to be used though, just something Matt had around so he could show me the crown.

[Omelenko1]

Increible mulato!

[MichaelC]

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to the board, blog or whatever these things are called. Anyway, I was web surfing and I found Matt’s site with a Utube of him making Timbales, so I sent him an email asking about them, how much, how long, etc. He was very responsive. I also asked if he happened to have any Congas or Bongos around I could get. I SCORED! He had mahogany drums, so I drove up this past Sat and got two. I hope to get Tims later, but he’s backlogged and I didn’t want to miss this chance.
About Matt, he’s a great guy. An artist and person of the best quality and ethics. I very much enjoyed the time with him. He was very interested that I got what I wanted and the quality of his work. I’m not ‘old’ but I knew Mongo and F Aquabella back in the 70’s. I have a set of cherry Bata that Jay made for me. I’ve owned Gon Bops, Lp, Valje and played others, Matt’s drums are exceeded by none. Ache
All the best MATT

[pcastag]

Nice, very nice.
PC

[onile]

Oh yeah, I can see the "flaws" in Matthew Smiths drums, they're pretty clear now......let's see, starting with the "hardwares", polished steel/chromed, some kind of wood product, is it Walnut, no Mahogany, either way, it's full of beautiful wood grain tones, and wait, wait.....are those cow skins on them....yeah, I can see your point EP, how could anyone think that Matthew Smith makes anything worth buying, much less worth playing!

Oh wait, I have a set of four.....Cheezus Cripes! I totally forgot, and daaaayem! They not only look BEAUTIFUL, and are made STURDY, but they SOUND melodic, so much so that Bass players tune up to 'em! Blah! hahahaha!


CONGRATULATIONS Hermano MichaelC, you TOTALLY SCORED Papa!

I'm sure that they sound phenomenal! Play them well and enjoy them often!

Many blessings!

Onile!

[pcastag]

I wanted the best, wouldn't settle for less.
No amount of time would matter. Its almost time...

Few finishing touches needed, here is a teaser shot without giving away too much...

9.75" screamer custom Requinto.

Nice, very nice.
Pc

[ABAKUA]

Gracias PC.

Couple more shots....

[onile]

Abure Abakua, how dare you post "naked" pics of congas on this website, now it is a "congaporn" site!

Chacho! Ese Quinto se ve bestial mi hermano! I am totally out of expendable cash flow, so I guess it's back to the bank for another mortgage loan.....I've got to get more drums from Matt!

Suave!

Onile!

[tamboricua]

Very nice requinto Abakua, congratulations and enjoy it!!!

Saludos,

JG

[Jerry Bembe]

Very nice, very nice. I am waiting on the shipment of this from Isla bro and it looks like a cousin of your beauty. Enjoy

9" Isla Ziricote

9" Isla Ziricote View #2

[Jerry Bembe]

Oh! I forgot to point out the primative hardware. Primative but beautiful.

[KING CONGA]

I wanted the best, wouldn't settle for less.
9.75" screamer custom Requinto.

Hijoesu!!!!!!!! now that is one KILLER Re-quinto. Congratulations Abakua. I love the wood texture. It looks kinda big for a Requinto, is it just the angle of the picture?
Really consider going with the Requena like hardware, you will end up with something even more unique and considering that Matt is making the hardware you can bet that it will not be compromised.
Congratulations, cant wait to hear from you after you play it.

[KING CONGA]

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to the board,
I SCORED! He had mahogany drums, so I drove up this past Sat and got two. Matt’s drums are exceeded by none. Ache
All the best MATT

First of all welcome to the best conga forum in the world and second, congratulations on second to none set of Matts. you are now an official "Conga Junkie". You no doubt lucked out considering how long some people have to wait. I notice that your Matts have the older hardware, no worries, it's amongst some of the best out there.
Once again welcome and congratulations.

[pcastag]

so, is the inlay right below the head the secret? Looks like he created a small inlay or are my eyes deceiving me?
PC

[MichaelC]

Hey Thanks everyone for the warm welcome, and celebrating my good fortune.
That's what we as humans should do, help one another and enjoy our fellow humans successes and those of our own. I like to think that by acknowledging the work of real craftsman like Jay and Matt, and the patronage of them, we can keep true artisans working.

I do have a set of Valje congas and a couple sets of Bongos made at the Sunset Blvd address.
I had Jay (Skin on Skin) make a set of cherry Bata years ago.
I’ve been lucky, all these drums have the sound I want. I suppose because they were made by people who loved what they were doing.
I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Ache.