congaplace.com

Just picked up a set of the Acuna special editions, couldn't refuse the price, less than 500 shipped to my door, conga and tumba. I recently sold my Ca. series to purchase some cuban drums that Matt is currently working on, so I figured what the heck, for the price it was a worthwhile investment. these drums have the black remo heads on them, I must say from what I can recall about my CA series I actually think these are better sounding drums, the CA series have a nice dry tone, but lack sustain, these definitely have a nice warm sound, even with the plastic heads, and have a great tonality that I was missing in the Oak drums. A bit too dry for my tastes. Anybody out there done a side by side? These acuna drums are great tubs, especially for the price. I would highly reccomend them to anybody looking for a professional set for less than 800. I've also heard that they were designed more on the traditional Gon Bop shape, which is great since I have a 10.5 inch old oak. I figured I might try to clean it up and stain it like the ebonies, since it's flat sawn I think the grain would mesh well with the ash.


The old and the new!













PC

PC, you planning on putting on some real skin?
I almost got a set a while back, before the Ebony ones came out, but didn't find any reviews.
funny thing, the Acuna model appears to have more of the ol' GB belly, but you mentioned the CA model has less sustain? The ol' GB's character (IMO) was the no sustain, or is it the fiberskin speaking on your Acuna's ??


T

very cool.... the synthetic heads even look cool.
What is the a noticable sound difference between heads?

Was that a internet retailer that tou purchased those from PC? If so,do you mind telling us which one.

Thx

Tonio- I'm leaving the synthetic skins on, these are gong to be my gigging drums, no hassle no worries, especially with the weather here in Houston. The CA. models were much brighter than the old gon bops, but dry, almost tinny. These do have the old bops belly on them I remember an article in which they stated that the Acunas were modeled after the traditional gon bops while the CA series went through many prototypes before they decided on the final design. It could be the fiberskin speaking or the ashwood and modern construction. Can't really tell, my CA series Tumba had a fiberskin, but it didn't sound as good as these do, at least not to my ears.

Myk- the old GB has a muleskin on it, much dryer with a clear pop and meaty tone.

Dangler, I actually go these on e-bay, two separate auctions that ended at 202 with 38.00 shipping on each drum. Lucked out!
PC

Like the finish on them. I brought an repair job new one from E- Bay . I don't like the head on it so i will change to a thicker head. Looking to buy a tumba for a match set. Funny i never was happy with the Gon Bop's oak series either. My quinto was made in the late 70's got it brand new but i thought it was too dry sounding so i put a 45 degree angle inside the drum cause i like the sound my Juniors had. I also re cut my cheapo L.p's to Junior spec's it helped but that Asian wood just suck's.

pcastag : If you do decide on staining the quinto there's a tool you can use that will give you those strip's like the Acuna series. It's a rubber mold with crazy patterns on it. You would have to practice on some scraps of wood first to get that pattern. I believe what they do on the Acunas is put a torch on the wood to get the strip look ( Popping grain look).

That's a glaze. You put a few coats of lacquer on and then apply the glaze. Let it set up and wipe away what you don't want. Its a heavily pigmented product that will stay in the more open grain lines. If you make a mistake just use mineral spirits (paint thinner) to remove it. After it dries you have to topcoat it. It won't do much good on the plain sawn oak, not enough sap wood. I use Mohawk/Behlen glazes. It looks like a dark one, possibly dark walnut. Good luck, Buck

Video of La Mole tocando Acunas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3kBNmIk ... _embedded#!

PC

La Mole on the the Alex Acuna Gon Bops - congas only!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f14NxypHDEU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x6b8B18KX0