ISLA PERCUSSION - Discussion, Quality, Experience, etc

[Tumbas]

Closeup shots of the hardware?

Ziricote is absolutely gorgeous in any form.

Would definitely like to see the hardware closeup and personal.

[Killak]

This thread is hilarious. I was super bored and I like checking out work of the different drummakers so I read the whole thread. Its so clear rumbero4ever IS Mario. I mean search his posts they are ALL only on the two isla topics and he's constantly speaking for "Mario" and making excuses and being an intermediary for him. Then he posts all these pics of new island drums. I mean to me the chances are very close to zero of some random dude in Belize living in a remote town just happens to not only run into "Mario" and become best buds with him but then he also just happens to be on a niche drumming site and on top of that dudes English is written like someone from the states or who has spent a lot of time here. I don't want to ruffle feathers or start trouble but like its so obviously him

[bongosnotbombs]

Its so clear rumbero4ever IS Mario.

No he is not. You are wrong.

[Tumbas]

Its so clear rumbero4ever IS Mario.

No he is not. You are wrong.

BNB is right.

He is not Mario.

I have communicated with both.

[Tumbas]

Tumbas - you can check out the hardware on Islas blog. You can see the hardware up close.

I meant the new updated or refined hardware you are posting here... I've been on the site.

[rhythmrhyme]

It can just be a close up shot to three, it doesn't need to be high rez.

Personally I'd like to see some close ups of the joint work on the drums as well as the welds etc on the hardware. Some may call these cosmetic issues, but I see them as quality control issues that impact the longevity of the product.

[RitmoBoricua]

Guys - if you are uncomfortable with me posting Isla's products and giving you all a heads-up on their drums and new innovations I can quits. That's not a problem for me. I'm having fun here with my buddy. Who-so ever is in-charge of this blog just has to tell me and I call it quits !!!

Quit..Why??? Keep Them Isla Updates/Photos Coming............

[KidCuba]

I can attest to the fact that Rumbero4Ever is not Mario.

As he stated, English is spoken in Belize - do your research.

And for quitting, why? Don't let one or two people ruing the information being provided to the masses. In the end, if we don't want to read it, we can choose to ignore it.

[Killak]

Are you willing to submit a DNA sample? That would put this to rest once and for all.

[KING CONGA]

I personally appreciate the fact that we are being kept informed about the progress with Isla. Thank you Rumbero4ever, keep feeding us that info. I really do hope the best for Mario, I can say that he is a swell guy who really has a love and interest for The Instrument.
He has hit some valleys, challenges, along the way but I can literally see that he is climbing right out of them. Without challenges we cannot be strong.
Keep up the good work Mario and keep doing what you love, your drums are looking very nice.
By the way, Mario looks like if he has lost a little bit of weight since I last seen him

[congamyk]

Best wishes to Mario and Isla Percussion!
I hope to ge some drums from him in the future.

Thanks Rumbero4ever for keeping the updates coming.

[MedinaNYC]

Yes, i think we need to focus more on Rumbero4ever's post with the pics, rather than the follow up conversation. All Isla opinions aside, those drums look amazing! I hope Mario can consistanly put out fire like that...

[vinnieL]

I'm glad to see that guys are getting their drums. Unfortunately I see beautiful wood but nothing else. I see crooked crowns, glue lines, a lot of roll marks and scratches etc. The attention to detail is not there. But hey they do sound great I will say that for them. I just would never buy them with those issues.

[pcastag]

From some of the stuff I've seen come out of Mario's I'd be worried about what shape they might be in years down the road, not about their collectability! Really, I've seen some nasty stuff that people have posted on here and some up for sale on ebay that went out of round after only a few months. I'm sure his heart is in the right place, but making a fine quality drum takes years and years of wood working skills I would imagine. When i see what the top three hand crafters today are doing , (JAY MATT AND MICHEL) and compare them to what I've seen coming out of mario's workshop there is no comparison. Wood is beautiful and rare, BUT!!!! Until I see one of those after 10 years I really wouldn't invest in one of them. Best of luck to Mario! Love da wood!

[pcastag]

I've seen a few pics of the mahogany and ziricote drums, not too many closeups , but again, when isla first came out a lot of people were hyping them on here, then... a bunch of quality control issues came out. Hard to rebuild a reputation after so many issues, nobody ever questioned the sound, closeup pics would help a lot, and some testimonials from some folks who have purchased his recent products. As far as longevity and sound quality only time will tell, most people who played his drums say they soudn awesome. As far as furniture goes I'm sure many of the woodworking principals involved in making a conga apply to fine furiniture as well, masing sure there is a good seal between the staves , that the wood has been properly treated, that the drum is in round, etc. I love the look of the woods, to me a quality drums starts with quality wood, I seriously contemplated some when he first came out with the mahogany drums, but after so many issues I was reluctant to buy a set, still am.