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PostPosted: Sat Feb 10, 2007 9:35 pm
by burke
H all,

I bought a set (Quinto & Conga) of "Mariano" series GB's. There is a number on the plate. The number on the quinto is:
IC 3300 & ICL 3300 on the conga.

My question is, does anyone know what the signifigance of the numbers is? I'm kind a hoping they are some kind of stock number that will help me find out what vintage they may be.

Cheers

Darrell

PostPosted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 3:14 am
by taikonoatama
Keep in mind that congas sizes as a whole used to be smaller than they are these days. What you've got, really, are two congas. Here's the (original) Gon Bops size breakdown to the best of my knowledge:

"IQ" series: Quinto: 9.75"
"IC" series: Conga: 10.75"
"ICL" series: Conga (Large): 11"
"IT" series Tumba: 11.5"
"ITL" series: Tumba (Large): 12.25"
"ITXL" series: Tumba (Extra Large): 13.25"
"IT2XL" series: Tumba (Extra Extra Large): 14.25"

As far as the vintage, I don't believe your numbers alone will narrow it down as much as you'd like, as they made the Mariano (with the same model numbers) for a number of years, from, I believe, the mid 80's to mid 90's. Someone else here will no doubt have better knowledge of this last point - they could have started a bit earlier.

Also, a note on the how the size is measured, as there is some variation from maker to maker. Technically, these sizes are for the outside diameter of the shell across the top, before the bearing edge is done and the skin put on.




Edited By taikonoatama on 1171252464

PostPosted: Mon Feb 12, 2007 4:43 pm
by burke
Thanks very much taikonoatama!

Even if this is all I learn from my post - that's great info!