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Chech this out, can anyone out there identify this drum? I can

Its a Cuban made conga by Requena, I asked the guy for the drum when I saw it but you must have been in LA, Lucky you Its a GEM. Enjoy and treat it as a great relic of Cuban and Latin Music in General.

I was inquiring because I had the opportunity to purchase this drum and guess what, I just bought it, Extremly rare Cuban Requena. I must say that I am excited about this drum but at the same time somewhat worried because of the current condition, this thing has been around the block if you know what I mean. The hardware is all there down to the original square nuts. As you can see one of the previous owners added a couple of galvanized bands, they look nasty. It is no doubt a major project. I forgot to mention, I’ve never restored anything in my life! But am determined to make it happen especially with all of the wonderfully talented and experienced brother congueros in this forum. I will post pictures as I progress.

Thanks for posting the pics, King Conga!

Interestingly, it has no alma ...

Thomas

Wow! Treasure! Great find!

You've got diamond in the rough there, to be sure, with this Requena. Mine was a cracked and battered wreck when I got it as well, but it cleaned up nicely with some (well, a lot) of work.

If you like, shoot me a private message with your phone number and we can talk about it.

Cheers,

James (in Berkeley)

Candido Requena was the bongocero for Casino De La Playa back in the late 30's, when Miguelito Valdes, the real Mr. Babalu ( not Lucy's Desi) was the singer. Requena played bongo' for La Casino for a number of years. He also made congas and bongos like the one you have that were sold at Casa Solis Music Store in Old Habana. His congas and bongos are definitely collectors' items, but are very fragile for today's standards. They are not as high quality as Gonzalo Vergara's congas and bongos. Requena congas (mostly quintos) sound good but you must put a thin head on it, as the staves are very fragile. Requena bongos are somewhat more sturdier. The hardware on both is not made to withstand heavy tuning. Definitely restore it, put a thin skin and used it as a quinto in your house, don't take it to any rumbas because the rumberos will crack it and make it go out of round. Today I keep a set of Requena bongos and they sound awesome, again I keep (pergamino) thin head on the macho. I no longer have a quinto, I sold it.

Dario.

After further evaluating the condition of my Requeña I have decided not to take on the project of restoring this drum ...I’m going have someone else with experience handle it. Upon removing the top band on the drum the thing sprung out like a "blooming flower" exposing more of the splits, man my jaw just dropped and it scared the heck out of me . so that’s my dilemma. I will let someone else handle the hard stuff, restoring and re-banding the shell and Ill deal with the hardware and skin. Attached are some pictures that after you see them am sure you’ll understand why someone with out experience would not take on such a project.

Here are a few more pictures. One thing is for sure, with the exception of the bands and inspite of the sub surface oxidation the hardware of this drum is in very good condition and should turn out very nice once re-chromed.

Sorry to see the extent of the splitting once you took off the bands - typical, but no less disconcerting. Ugh. However you do it or get it done, hope to see this drum renovated someday.

Here's an LP cover I have with a Requena like yours or mine:

Matthew Smith would be the man for job and it's certainely worth restoring it is a part of Latin percussion history.

Just spoke to the Man, Matthew Smith. He is going to restore this drum. Drum restoration is secondary to making his drums which means that this drum will be on the back burner for a while. Dario you were totally right, he told me to ship the drum and to just forget about it for about one year but he also assured me that I would not be disappointed when I get it back . I can tell you, it’s going to be a long year . I'm excited about bringing this historical relic back to life, that it will once again produce that wonderful sound/heart beat that it once did.

You will love it my friend his work is second to none. It may be a difficult wait but rest assured you are waiting for an important piece of history these drums are becomng very rare and you will have a treasure in the end.

Just got off the phone with Matthew Smith. He described the condition of the Requeña as “typical”, I must say that hearing those words brought some relieve, knowing that it was not bad enough to where it could not be restored. He told me that the wood is Cedro he also told me that he was going to try and completed within two month, wow, now that’s awesome . He explained that regardless of the restoration that I would still have to take it easy with it , I am going to need to install a thinner head on it. I'm ok with all of that .
I do want to be able to play it once in a while, I want the drum to be “alive” again.
I asked him, via e-mail, if he could take a couple of pictures of the in-process restoration so that I can post them, I also asked if he would sing the inside once he completed the restoration. Ok Ill keep all of the conga junkies posted. Adios.

Took the hardware to a local buissness for strip and re chrome, Im scheduled to have it back by the Dec. 22 I will be sure to post pictures. Im confident that the hardware will look good, other than a little oxidation it really is in good condition right down to the original square nuts, which are typical on the Requeña Conngas. I am hoping and waiting that Matt will send me some in process resoration images, if I do get them Ill be sure to post those too.
I am wondering if I should put the handle back on it, which by the way is also being chromed, what do you Conga junkies thing
Peace.
Juan