Matt Smith Refurb * MERGED * DA WOOD - HOUSTEN HAS LANDED! *

[lphoenix]

I haven't seen this wood before, and though I'm a fan of red drums (shoulda been a latina), I'm amazed anyone ever covered this gorgeous wood with anything.

[pcastag]

Scroll down to seet he sonoc refurb pics, they look even better!

[pcastag]

Oh yeah baby, got my early b-day present today. Let me tell you something, I was getting frustrated and ready to throw in the towel. I'm not sure if I'd do it again, but baby I'm glad I did!

1- 10" Sonoc, Cuban Cedro, oh my god, whoever said that older drums do not project! This baby is probably late 60's to early 70's , let me tell you bothers, my ears are RINGING! The refurb has made these drums beautiful and solid, incredible sounding drums, incredible tone, bright , piercing, big tuning range, just phenomenal!

1- 12" Sonoc Cuban Cedro- same as above, tumbao for days! I'm just so blown away by the sound of these drums, totally unexpected, i was expecting warm round sounds, if I tune them down I get them, cranked up these babies scream, and do not choke or lose tone. Really incredible.

1- 12.75 Ritmo honduran mahogany. This is the wood all drums should be made of. What an incredible tuning range, warm and fat at all pitches, this baby goes from super tumba to tres dos without blinking! Really incredible wood.

1- 12.25 Ritmo African Mahogany, hmmmm not sure about this drum yet, more time will tell, sounds good at mid range tuning but seems to choke up a bit when cranked, Fortunately with the sonoc I wont need to crank it much.

I've definitely laid out some big $$$ for the mahoganies and the refurb, but I've also been through lots and lots of drums looking for the right sound. Just to name a few I've owned
SOS- had a 12 and 13 cherry, liked them, but they got completely lost on loud gigs.

Set of three Bauer, nice fat sounding drums, same issue ans the SOS

valje, great sound, just never ended up with a usable set.

Lot s and lots of gon bops, old, new, CA series, acuna series., Nice drums, just not really what I'd want to have forever.
Requena, Refurbed by Jay, sold, too thin to really be usable

Matt Smith Oaks, Loved them as well, I just like dark wood I guess!
I think I finally found the drums I'll keep for a while, matt Smith truly is a master. PS if you find any quality drums made of Honduran mahogany I suggest you snatch them up quick! Old Juniors, moperc or Matts, just too much baby!

Pics forthcoming.

[ABAKUA]

You have 5 minutes to post pics or I ban you out of jealousy! .

Conga-tulations man, I know you been hurting during the waiting process, sounds like the pain is all oooom-pa-keeeeen'd away.

[pcastag]

Pics and vids coming. I'm telling you marcello, these sonocs are tripping me out, the 10 SCREAMS, much more than I ever thought it would. Anyways, gonna break em in, figure how I'm going to run the three big bottom ladie ( 12, 12.25. 12.75), fortunately for me my conga gigs are mostly laid back affairs or guiros, I dont need to worry about salsaing out all night with these babies, I play kit on 90% of my guisos so I'll really be able to use these babies for what they are made for, rumba iyesa palo lucumi baby!
PC

[sielbo]

Pcastag,

Where's the photos? You wrote "Scroll down to seet he sonoc refurb pics, they look even better!" but can't see anything.

[pcastag]

Yeah da wood


IMG_0170 by pcastag, on Flickr

DA Cedros

Real Quinto 10"


IMG_0171 by pcastag, on Flickr

12" Talked to Matt today, he and I were both surprised at how loud these babies were! Who says Cuban drums aren't boutique! They are the definition of boutique!


IMG_0172 by pcastag, on Flickr

Da Mahogs

12>75 Honduran, this is the wood all drums should be made of! Sick!


IMG_0173 by pcastag, on Flickr


12.25 Africano bembe



IMG_0174 by pcastag, on Flickr

How I play them

IMG_0175 by pcastag, on Flickr

IMG_0176 by pcastag, on Flickr

IMG_0177 by pcastag, on Flickr

IMG_0178 by pcastag, on Flickr

Drivers Seat

IMG_0181 by pcastag, on Flickr

[pcastag]

Sorry boss, just go to the thread that says DA WOOD and see the pics.
PC

[pavloconga]

Wow, beautiful drums.
Looks like you're in conga heaven

[sielbo]

CONGRATS! They look freakin awesome! enjoy

Gracias pai

[tigre77]

Wow! Top notch setup of epic proportions.

[Omelenko1]

You should rechrome the SONOC hardware. Love those Requena looking crowns on them SONOCS. I bet they sound like a mother!
Here is my SONOC 10" Caoba quinto, a la Muñequitos, Tata Guines.

Dario

[pcastag]

yea bro, I'll probably take care of the chroming this summer, those sonocs really surprised me, they are really loud, matt was trippin on the volume as well. They'll probably tone down a bit after the heads settle in. I'm lovin life right now, just some really fine drums, i've been playing congas seriously for about 20 years now so it's about time.
PC

[tamboricua]

PC,

Awesome drums, enjoy them my brother!!!

Saludos,

Jorge Ginorio

[ABAKUA]

Now THAT is the s h i t !!!

PS - I merged all the threads into one, easier to follow how these babies progressed & adopted extra friends before coming back to you.