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i need to make three of these. what's the best wood to use?

3/8 scrap plywood. Not pretty, but it works. Stapled non-slide rubber matting to one side so that on wooden or smooth flooring they won't move while I play. Cost? $0.00

Luis, when you decided what wood to use, you want to copy this design by Meinl.

I got one that I put my Tumba on. The grooves greatly improves the sound

Thanks for the tips. I made them out of 3/4 inch high grade plywood. The grooves look like a good idea.

Derbeno wrote:Luis, when you decided what wood to use, you want to copy this design by Meinl.

I got one that I put my Tumba on. The grooves greatly improves the sound

Derbeno,

Thanks for sharing the above photo. I saw this new design by Meinl a few months ago and sort of regretted having bought my Pearl Reso-Plates (years ago) which I use when I choose to play my congas seated. But, I didn't have the option to buy the Meinls then. So, other than fabricating the resoplates myself, I really didn't have any other option.

I really dig those concentric grooves of the Meinls. I can imagine how they can greatly improve the sound--particularly the projection. Plus, I love the symmetrical design.

All the best,

There are even flaky things like this one:

But on the whole I would stick to selfmade wooden reso plates - far less expensive.