Page 1 of 1

Posted:
Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:41 pm
by Omelenko
I just got two timbas Ismael from a friend in California, we worked out a deal for some bata drums. Ismael Ramos, just like Gonzalo Vergara in Cuba, was a pioneer conga maker from Puerto Rico. Ismael and Vergara were the trend setters.
Enclosed 10.75" macho, 12" tumba from the early 70's.
Saludos,
Dario
Attachment:
http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... Ismael.jpg

Posted:
Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:44 pm
by Omelenko
Enclosed:
Ismael super tumba 13" and Junior Tirado Iya.
Saludos, Dario
Attachment:
http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... C_027F.JPG

Posted:
Fri Feb 15, 2008 11:47 pm
by Omelenko

Posted:
Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:58 am
by RitmoBoricua
Oye Omelenko. Are those Timbas "Cahoba Boricua"? Tu lo que tienes en tu casa es canya brava, mi hermano.

Posted:
Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:33 am
by Omelenko
They are Cahoba Boricua. Here is a picture of me with Ismael's wife and son taken 2 yrs. ago at their store in Bayamon.
Dario

Posted:
Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:34 am
by Omelenko

Posted:
Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:43 am
by Omelenko
I could have bought these congas that day for $1,000, but I was on vacation and they didn't take American Express. I did offer Junior (his son) $500 cash for a 50's bongo that belonged to Monchito Muñoz from Tito Rodriguez band that he had given the old man more than 40 yrs. ago to restore and Monchito never picked up. Ismael Junior said the bongo was not for sale and I didn't act on the congas. Me jodi por no tener el billete en efectivo.
Dario.
Enclosed: the congas
Edited By Omelenko on 1203130129
Attachment:
http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... C_018F.JPG

Posted:
Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:47 am
by Omelenko
Enclosed Ismael bongos from the late 50's, belonged to Monchito Muñoz from T. Rod and T. Puente (bongocero).
This was a real treasure. Gozalo mulato !
Attachment:
http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... C_017F.JPG

Posted:
Sat Feb 16, 2008 8:21 pm
by Changuiri
GRACIAS POR LA FOTOS OMELENKO, WOULD YOU HAVE ANY OF THE ANACAONAS MADE BY ISMAEL OR ANY PICS? I WAS TOLD THAT ONLY FIVE SETS WERE MADE, ONE OF THEM BELONGING TO LITTLE JOHNNY. THESE WERE SOME BIG TUMBADORAS, THE QUINTO ALONE HAD SIETE LLAVES! SUAVE.

Posted:
Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:17 pm
by zumbi
beautiful tumbadoras, dario.
peace & blessings!

Posted:
Sat Feb 16, 2008 11:37 pm
by RitmoBoricua
Thanks Dario. I knew a number of local percussionists back in the 70's in my neck of the wood in Puerto Rico who had them Timbas Ismael, but their sets were over sized, they had them custom made. I believe there are clips on youtube of Papo Pepin playing this oversized sets with Roberto Roena back in the late 70's. Ese Bongo Me Dejo Frio Y me Puso Los Pelos De Punta ..What a Beauty, Esta Cabron! ! Is right up-there with your Vergara. I think when I was stationed in Roosevelt Roads in Puerto Rico late 80's early 90's a friend of mine got me bongo heads from Timbas Ismael. Thanks for the photos. Take Care!

Posted:
Sun Feb 17, 2008 12:55 am
by Omelenko
According to Junior, Ismael son, his father told him that Monchito Muñoz brought those to the shop around 1963/64", when he was Tito Rodriguez bongocero. He told Ismael to refinish them a bit with varnish and put new heads on them. The original charge for all that was $50 in 1964. Monchito never came for them, Ismael died aound 1990. Ismael's son kept them. He told me, if Monchito walks in with $50 he can claim them, otherwise they are not for sale. I offered him $500 cash (en la mano) and he kindly say "do not insist". My wife told me "you are sick", "estas loco pal' carajo". Those bongos are still in PR, I know Ismael's widow died sometime back and the store in Bayamon was closed. I still dream about them bongos !
Suave,
Dario 

Posted:
Sat Feb 23, 2008 1:50 am
by Thebreeze
Just took at look at those Bongos and saved that picture. About the most beautiful Bongos I have ever seen. Something about the shape of the shells and the color.

Posted:
Sat Feb 23, 2008 2:35 am
by Omelenko
Not only beautiful, they also sounded really sweet. The macho had an incredible crisp sound and the hambra had a nice bottom. Ismael made those around 1959/ 60, according to Junior, his son. Rich P Rican Cahoba wood. A true classic !
Dario

Posted:
Sat Feb 23, 2008 1:00 pm
by Gallichio
Dario scores again! Nice.
Edited By Gallichio on 1203771634