ISLA PERCUSSION - Discussion, Quality, Experience, etc

[ABAKUA]

Man, that really sucks. Sad to hear about your delay with Isla, it is starting to become a re-occuring matter it seems. Not good at all for business.

The fact about the original ones not being up to scratch is concerning, I mean, is there no quality checking before despatch? Or is close enough - good enough with these drums? Gaps, staves coming apart, different heights, shit. I would not be very happy either, especially considering the price tag and wait on the product.

However re this:

The moderators on this board should know that I based a large part my decision to purchase Isla drums on this forum. After a close inspection of the forum I can see that important critical feedback about the manufacturer was deleted.

The thread which was deleted was a duplicate thread on the same topic. we had 2 identical threads running about the same thing at the same time, the newer one was deleted. Content was similar, posts were encouraged to be reposted in the correct remaining thread. Deleted not because there was bad feedback. Slander on the other hand is different.
Negative feedback is welcomed on the basis of actual fact and experience. While slandering is not acceptable, true feedback or negative experience will help the forum as a whole as long as its done in the right way.

Isla has always had some bad feedback in terms of customer communication and extended lead times, the congaplace.com board in no way can be held accountable for your dealings with a seperate entity (ISLA) not even remotely related or affiliated to this website.


Bro, I really hope your issue is resolved promptly, does not sound like he is completely avoiding it or not going to come through with the order. Just really disspointing to see there will be even more delays to what you have already been exposed to.

[ABAKUA]

I mean, dont get me wrong, Im a big fan of their work and love the sound of their drums... Here is a pic from my facebook:


Just seems his communication & lead times are way off par.

[pcastag]

Pics can be deceiving, I saw a set of cherry islas for sale on ebay, looked nice, but when the seller took close ups you could see many of the same issues you described. Woodworking is a craft, I love the concept and the idea behind isla, but jay, mat and stephen of moperc have the crafstmanship down pact. No problems with those drums. It's too bad he couldn't get it together, and it sounds like it's starting to catch up to his business.
PC

[Lonz]

Where does the time go? It has been a year since I received my Islas.
The drums sound great. I am glad I made this choice. I am posting these comparative pictures.
The tuning rings have dropped,as Mario has said, making the drums very comfortable to play.

[KING CONGA]

that is one awesome set of tumbadoras, thanks for sharing.

[rodmase]

I spoke with Mario of Isla today via e-mail. He asked me to inform the congaplace.com community that the reports of Isla's demise have been greatly exaggerated. In fact many of the issues and complaints are directly related to the difficulties of transitioning a business from the States to a much,much smaller country. He assured me that after a year of attrition in Belize he is in position to press forward. I believe that will be the case and am looking forward to see what the future holds.

[rodmase]

Some recent work from Isla.

[pcastag]

I'd love to have a quinto made out of that ziricote wood, just beautiful! Anybody heard any of the new drums yet?
PC

[KING CONGA]

I.H.O
I dont know about those band. I believe the drums would look much nice with stainless bands, none the less beautiful drums.
Looks like a new style of side plates as well as identification tag.
I wonder who they are going to or where they are going

[pcastag]

Yeah, the badge , lugs plates and bands look a little busy on the little drum. I wonder if he's fixed his production problems yet? Looks like the glue lines are still visible on the large drum to the left, would be a shame with that beautiful wood and the mahogany he's using.
PC

[bongosnotbombs]

A set of Isla bata in mahogany.

[pcastag]

Yours?
PC

[bongosnotbombs]

Well, I don't know Mario personally, I've never met him. Looks like the new Isla drums are being made they way they've always been made, so they should sound as good as Isla always has. My quinto has glue lines like some other Islas, and it never bothered me any, same with the set of bata I recently sold.

Other people have to wait large amounts of time for another very popular maker of drums, for their first set, not a second replacement set. They also seem to experience the same communication issues.

[OLSONGO]

IMHO
Yes...what a waste of beautiful wood, I personally never cared for Islas its shape, hardware and lack of craftsmanship. The Shape does not look conducive to the physics of sound and that sort of point that sticks out at the bottom of the belly, no very aesthetic , the shape I always liked even if they are very commercial the LP classics shape, also the Mathews as he keeps the look of the Cuban tradition. The hardware looks to busy with to many screws, welds , and lack of a creative design... a waste of good stainless steel. And on the craftsmanship from what I can see ...that is way too much glue showing , not even old Gon Bops or in that case, those congas made from old wine barrels in the Dominican Republic show that much glue. No excuses today the technology is there.

PS: I was able to acquire a set of Bauers on their way to NAMM , at a super deal from the USA distributor and didn't want to send them back to the factory in Brasil , due to the fact that there was some minor glue showing... blind to the eye. Their standards in quality and today's buyers high expectations do not allow for a mediocre product.

Peace
Olsongo

[Dangler]

Are these the kind of glue lines that you're OK with BnB?

I fail to see how this type of workmanship is done by a caring artisan, not to mention the stain inconsistencies. click on the picture to see it enlarged.

Considering that I'm out about 4K CDN due the the shipping and exchange at the time of purchase, I think it is reasonable to expect a sound product. As mentioned in my other posts, there are other issues as well, such as the conga arriving cracked (something that looks to have happened during manufacturing but was sent out anyway), the drums are all different heights, they still have chalk marks on them from laying out bands etc. From where I sit Mario tagged me as an amateur and tried to take me for a ride.

C

whoa! 3/16" of an inch gaps??Why would you even put glue to it?They obviously didn't do a dry fit or truly didn't give a shit.