congaplace.com

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:47 pm**

I bought these Junior congas (macho y hembra) last year at a pawn shop in the Bronx, NYC. Having been a personal friend of Junior, I immediatly recognized them but the people in the pawn shop called them "two really beat up wood congas". I noticed the shells were intact with no cracks, minor splits. The harware was dirty and a bit rusty,the side plates were messed up by constantly tightning dead skins and the lugs had about 20 washers each. I said to myself,what a find, late 60's Junior Tirado congas! I bought them and they just came to me, after spending about a year in Matthew Smith's conga hospital and workshop. They are made of Honduran mahogany. Matthew made new sideplates identical to Junior's but stronger, he put 5 bands on each conga and I had the crowns chrome plated. They sound like the 2 Stradivarius that they are. Enclosed find after and before pictures. Moforibale al tambo'.
Dario

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... C_001F.JPG

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:53 pm**

Late 60's (close to 40 yrs. old) Junior Tirado conga and tumba 11 & 12 inch. Notice how thick the "v" in the crowns are, these is tipical of 1968/69 Juniors.
These Stradivarius were refinished by Matthew Smith, "the new kid on the block". Here is another angle.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... C_003F.JPG

Posted: **Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:57 pm**

Here is how they originally looked when I saw them and bought them, but I immediatly recognized the Junior Tirado trademark. Rompe,que rompe tambo !
Dario

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... Repair.jpg

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2007 2:30 am**

Nice rework!!

T

Edited By Tonio on 1182565877

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2007 4:13 am**

My drums are going to have a lot of "mojo", they "rubbed shoulders" wirh these...

These are awesome...

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2007 1:02 pm**

GREAT SAVE....You can't put a price tag on something like this. I'm sure you have a large investment made ...but to keep them Alive is the bottom line. They will Now easily live another 40 years and no doubt be passed on. Keep the providence of these drums so the next person appreciates Mathews' and your efforts

Bravo

Peace

Bongo

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2007 3:26 pm**

Wow! I could've sworn I saw those drums on e-bay in the original condition. they sure do look good now! Man, I'd love to have some congas made of honsuran mahogany, or some of those old sonocs made of the caoba wood.
PC

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:16 pm**

I have another set of Junior Tirado conga and tumba,these I 've had for a number of years. The macho belonged to Julian Cabrera, who played with Machito, Mongo and Charlie Palmieri, the hembra is from 1969, like the ones pictured before. These are also Honduran mahogany but are stained darker. The crown for the hembra has the wider "V" like the ones in the first picture. The macho (Julian Cabrera's) is 111/4" and has 6 lugs, notice the "v" on the crown is thinner. The macho was made 2 yrs. later in 1971. The sound of Junior congas is exceptional. I have SONOCS and Skin on Skin, which also sound great, but there is something about Juniors. Saludos, Dario

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... assics.jpg

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:27 pm**

Here is a picture of my Skin on Skin cherry wood. They have 6 lugs each. Macho 113/4,hembra 121/2. They have a very melodic sound and are a thing of beauty. Jay made them in Sept. 1999, as years go by the cherry wood looks nicer.
Dario

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... C_005F.JPG

Posted: **Sat Jun 23, 2007 9:35 pm**

Here are my SONOCS, made in La Habana Cahoba wood,incredible sound. What Tata Guinez and Lod Muñequitos play. The problem is that every two years thet split. It has to do with the poor quality of the glue in my native country. The Cuban cohaba wood (on the endangered species) is a thing of beauty.
No wonder my wife gets pissed with so many congas.I'm a manic complusive,but so are you guys !
Saludos, Dario

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... Sonocs.jpg

Posted: **Mon Jun 25, 2007 3:07 pm**

Omelenko, all your drums look great poolside. Manic compulsive? Don't all guys drool over vintage conga drums? :laugh:

congaplace.com

Late 60's Junior Tirado Congas - Refinished by Matthew Smith