congaplace.com

A wonderful gentleman getting back into playing congas just dropped off these fantastic old Gon Bops at my house to get some new skins installed. They have such a beautiful patina and the original heads have turned that special gold color. Anyways, I was inspired to share. these drums are going to be getting some new skins from our favorite supplier L&H. I thought I would share them while they still have that special look, also a pic with some other Gon Bops just for fun. I'm guessing these drums are 25-30 years old.

My God,so beautiful....

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." I think the skins on those older GBs were the best ever, You just might be able to palm oil them and bring them back to life. If not, you might be able to sand them and use them as bongo heads. If not, you may be able to --------

Real nice BnB!! ....we are so lucky to have access to these older Gon Bops here in the bay area......will post pics soon of my re-skinned oaks......btw,I'm looking for an 11" oak with the wooden band...if you know of one for sale.

harpon wrote:Real nice BnB!! ....we are so lucky to have access to these older Gon Bops here in the bay area......will post pics soon of my re-skinned oaks......btw,I'm looking for an 11" oak with the wooden band...if you know of one for sale.

ah ah ah, If I knew of one I'd be buying it myself, my good man!

well....can't blame a guy for trying.... lmao

Psych1 wrote:"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." I think the skins on those older GBs were the best ever, You just might be able to palm oil them and bring them back to life. If not, you might be able to sand them and use them as bongo heads. If not, you may be able to --------

+1, gotta heartedly agree..If they're sounding good and can be tuned to a good pitch. Oil, hmmm I think it could kill it if you put too much on. I;d go for some bleached skin if possible vs. regular cowhide/steer needs to be thick (not too thick) for older GB's to sound nice. It creates a sustain and brings out a overtone ring from cranking it up.

Something about the bleached skins just has such a warm tone, and wet "POP" for slaps Man, I really miss that ol' GB sound

Thanks for sharing G.

T

Pure eye candy, this set, thanks for posting, Geordie!

Unless the skin are not totally worn out and thus dead in sound,
I would not replace them either.
Cleaning the dirt and grit with a cold-water sponge and nurturing the old and dirty skins with a small amount
of shea butter would also be an option in my opinion.

Well, the problem with installing really thick new skins might be the question if the shells can take that.
Or you might try those bleached VGA skins http://www.vgadrums.com/products
- at least the sound might get close to THE original Gon Bops sound.

Well guys, these aren't my drums, and the owner wants new heads, but I hear what you all are saying. I'm putting medium thin skins on these for him because he is just starting out, so that thickness should help him with his technique and also be gentle on the drums. He could probably get away with the conga skin as it is now, but the tumba needs a new one. The sound the skins give now are are really very mellow, I think he wants a more versatile sound and livelier skins. I'm not charging him for the work. I never charge for changing skins for people. The music is payment enough. Being able to put my hands on these venerable drums is a bonus.

bongosnotbombs wrote:The sound the skins give now are are really very mellow, I think he wants a more versatile sound and livelier skins. I'm not charging him for the work. I never charge for changing skins for people. The music is payment enough. Being able to put my hands on these venerable drums is a bonus.

I am with you there, that is a rewarding activity indeed!

bongosnotbombs wrote:A wonderful gentleman getting back into playing congas just dropped off these fantastic old Gon Bops at my house to get some new skins installed. They have such a beautiful patina and the original heads have turned that special gold color. Anyways, I was inspired to share. these drums are going to be getting some new skins from our favorite supplier L&H. I thought I would share them while they still have that special look, also a pic with some other Gon Bops just for fun. I'm guessing these drums are 25-30 years old.

I like how the guy has a newer GB quinto to add to his set, he has 3 generations there but missing the Molinari Era models / badge. The new quintos I would actualy buy, all my previous GB & Valje quintos developed warped side lugs from the torque so for many many years I rejected them & sold them off as I cycled through every conga that was a new challenge to me. I now use 1998 GB and they still look as new & sound as great as any thing I ever played, I am tucking new heads for them, the orig heads served me so well only because I care for them correctly. Good ole Gon Bops are still singing !

Ernesto Pediangco wrote:I like how the guy has a newer GB quinto to add to his set, he has 3 generations there but missing the Molinari Era models / badge. The new quintos I would actualy buy, all my previous GB & Valje quintos developed warped side lugs from the torque so for many many years I rejected them & sold them off as I cycled through every conga that was a new challenge to me. I now use 1998 GB and they still look as new & sound as great as any thing I ever played, I am tucking new heads for them, the orig heads served me so well only because I care for them correctly. Good ole Gon Bops are still singing !

The two oak ones on the left are mine, the new DW Gon Bops and the other oak one. The two on the right are the ones I'm putting heads on for someone else who has owned them for probably 20 years or so and still have the original skins on them.

OK, Its "SHOW me yours, I'll show you Mine " time ( GON BOPS drums that is ) These are my 1998 Molinari era Gon Bop's w/ Steel bands, not aluminum, & I added Lp handles & conga mounts for use on Lp stand & my own stand that has features Lp did not & I and built my timbales to use the same stand. These have a rare red & black stain on Ash wood shells, I once had a black w/ silver finished GB of same era & w/ blk hard wares but could not find a match so I traded it away ( LIKE A FOOL that I am at times )

In storage for over 30 years, early vintage original Gon Bops. Ideal sizes 11 1/2" & 12 1/4". AVAILABLE. PM if interested.

Dario

Just a follow up on this project. Mike's L&H skins turned out great of course, as they always do. My "customer" was very happy. Turns out he bought these drums in 1973 when he was 17. Anyways here they are.