by Raymond » Wed Jan 25, 2006 1:32 pm
Yes, I was at NAMM and the new Folkloric Congas and Bongo were a huge success with our endorsers and the public. They sound great. These congas and bongos are made of oak and have a lining of fiberglass inside. Also, the heads are special ones selected to have the drums sound traditional. So, the heads are great and there will be no need to change them. (They do not use Pearl's stock heads. ). They are very light to carry! They should be out by March 2006. In the design of the congas and bongos, Francisco Aguabella and Jesus Diaz gave input in their design. During NAMM, Pearl was giving out a DVD demonstrating the new Folkloric congas and bongos and the related instruments like the batas, shekeres (two new versions, making three of them in Pearl's line up), cata (new), claves (new) and guataca (new). Most of our West Coast endorsers participated in the video. (During NAMM, we all participated in a "rumba" with the new congas and bongos in our Pearl's sound booth with Francisco Aguabella, Jesus Diaz, Eddie Montalvo, Marc Quinones, Bobby Allende, El Negro Hernandez, Fausto Cuevas, Cesar Espinosa, Eric Velez, Jesse Caraballo, Glen Caruba, Carlos Soto, Andres Bermudez and yours truly...I think Pearl will put the video in their site soon!)
The bongo is 7 and 8 1/2 which is different than the 9 inch hembra Pearl has in the Elite Series. The congas will come in quinto, conga and tumbadora!
Unless they screw up in the heads, that again, I was told not because they will keep the same type of heads as the ones in the congas and bongos at NAMM, believe this congas and bongos will be hit.
The LP guys all went to check them out....Paoli Mejias, Roberto Quintero, Raul Rekow, Pedrito Martinez, Karl Perazzo and other. (No Litte Johnny did not go and check them out)! All agree the heads are the best feature since there is no need to change them!
Where you can get Pearl in Puerto Rico?
Villa Music in Santurce and Music Sound in Caguas!
Be checking Pearl's site for more on this (and the rumba video)!
Saludos!
Edited By Raymond on 1138196245