Shrinking shells and loose bands

[kdarshan]

I've had similar problems with my Skin on Skin although they've never cracked (knock on wood), but the bands get loose in the winter and then tighten up again in the summer. the best thing for them is to keep them someplace where both the humidity and temperature are as constant as possible. Even if it's a little cooler as long as there aren't large fluctuations, it will help to keep the drums intact. You could also consider running a humidifier in the winter to keep the drums from drying out too much. Although I wouldn't have it in too close a proximity to the drums, but perhaps on the other side of the room.

Just my two cents.

[Johnny Salinas]

I used a wood preserver on my Gon Bops that works very well, its called Howard Feed-N-Wax wood preserver, its made with beeswax and orange oil, I buy it at Home Depot. I had the same problem with the upper band getting slighty loose and after I applied the preserver the band stays tight even in winter, though San Diego winters are probably not considered real winter, ha ha. Any way It works, my brother also used it on his oak Gon Bops with even nicer results. I think the wood just gets to dry especially aged Gon Bops wood, I also believe that the dryness promotes cracks

[Jerry Bembe]

I use Tung oil on my congas to help with this issue in Chicago. Gon Bops can be a real problem child but worth the work.

I have removed Almas from my congas because of this issue too. I have had an Alma crack a conga because of this very issue.