ISLA PERCUSSION - Discussion, Quality, Experience, etc

[Lonz]

I spoke to Mario Punchard,in Belize, today. He is settling in down there and wants you all to know that the Mahogany Conga drums are being built now. They will be a little more expensive than the Canoe, but he says you are really going to like them.

Lonz

[Tonio]

Does Mario have a new tel# ??

T

[Lonz]

He said he's in the process of setting up an international phone number.

Does Mario have a new tel# ??

T

[yusef33]

MARIO's phone number is (323) 285-6403.
His phone is setup to receive international calls.
All calls from the USA to Mario are charged as domestic calls.
If he doesn't answer, leave a message and he will call back.

[bongosnotbombs]

MARIO's phone number is (323) 285-6403.
His phone is setup to receive international calls.
All calls from the USA to Mario are charged as domestic calls.
If he doesn't answer, leave a message and he will call back.

yeah I just got a call from Mario in Belize about 2 hours ago.
Seems like all is well with Isla and Mr. Punchard.

[Tonio]

Great, thanks !!

T

[sonorlite]

I am relatively new to congas (been playing drums though for 40 years) and recently bought a conga/tumba set from Mario built in Houston. I love the drums and have a couple of questions from you more experienced players.

First, the head is almost level with hoop which Mario told me would stretch out over a period of months and eventually the head will sit about an inch above the hoop. In the meantime, how does one play slaps without banging your palms on the hoop?

Second, when I look at standard tuning protocols a G/C interval seems common for tumba/conga but I really can't get this pair tuned that high without really cranking the heads more than I feel comfortable. Is it just that these are designed to be tuned lower? I have them at D/G right now. They sound wonderful but lower in pitch than I would like.

Thanks

[KING CONGA]

the head is almost level with hoop which Mario told me would stretch out over a period of months and eventually the head will sit about an inch above the hoop. In the meantime, how does one play slaps without banging your palms on the hoop?

Second, when I look at standard tuning protocols a G/C interval seems common for tumba/conga but I really can't get this pair tuned that high without really cranking the heads more than I feel comfortable. Is it just that these are designed to be tuned lower? I have them at D/G right now. They sound wonderful but lower in pitch than I would like.

Thanks

Congratulations on your New set of tubs, they look awesome. In regards to your tuning I can assure you, you have nothing to worry about. The hardware is built very well. Having to crank the heads is common especially at first, if you hear a crack like noise it won't be your drum breaking, that would be the sound of the skin pressing on the shell as it's tuned. Keep in mind that these drums are commonly used for Rumba so tuning to G / C will not be an issue. In regards to the slap tone, this is all on technique if you are banging your hand on the crown then it's more than likely your technique. When I first got my S.O.S they were the same way, now they are aprox. .5 bellow the crown and sound great. Hope this helps. Good luck.

[pcastag]

Yeah nice drums, the only custom drums I've ever heard of built here in Houston! Are you a sonorhead BTW?
PC

[Lonz]

Great choice. I know you will enjoy them as much as I have been mine.

[bongosnotbombs]

Second, when I look at standard tuning protocols a G/C interval seems common for tumba/conga but I really can't get this pair tuned that high without really cranking the heads more than I feel comfortable. Is it just that these are designed to be tuned lower? I have them at D/G right now. They sound wonderful but lower in pitch than I would like.

Get someone more familiar with congas to tune them for you.

[sonorlite]

Former Sonorhead. Now a very dedicated Tempus player.

[pcastag]

Fiberglass or carbon fiber?
PC

[sonorlite]

Toms (8,10,12,14) are fiberglass and kick (14x20) is CF.

[akdom]

Hi all

Funny to hear that Mario moved to Belize!

I lived there for 7 years!

B