congaplace.com

I finished putting this drum back together tonight. It was completely unplayable a few weeks ago - two splits in staves and staves separated a one spot.
I cleaned it up - glued it back together and put a new finish on it. It sounds not too bad with the original head but it does need a new one. I'll tuck one at some point. I'm happy with the outcome. It was my first attempt at gluing staves together and it went fairly well. You can see where it was separated - I never got it totally to match up but I'm happy with it. I fit the rings on finger tight (didn't bash em on with a mallet). The drum may be able to breath a little without popping the ring rivets. The drum will be in my home with not much of a temp or humidity change (Vancouver Island BC Canada). If it does break I'll fix it.....with the help of you good folks on this Forum - Thanks for the help.

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

Beautiful.

Congratulations. The drum looks sweet but it looks like it could use a new Cuero, Skin .
Cheers.

Thanks - ya - like I said - I will be tucking a new head. I may go with Mule for a change - don't know yet. But, i really like the cowhide heads. I have buffalo on my Valjes - I do think that I will eventually tuck cowhide (steer?) on the Valjes again in the future.

KING CONGA wrote:Congratulations. The drum looks sweet but it looks like it could use a new Cuero, Skin .
Cheers.

If you are going to mule , better be a thin mule 'cause you may be opening a new can of worms if you put a thick head.
Peace
olsongo

Very excellent and beautiful refurbishment! I agree with Olsongo, for this type of drum go with a skin that is not going to cause too much stress on the drum. Mule skins are tough on conga shells. I think a cow skin maybe a little on the thinner side would be best for this old Gon Bops.

Yeah, nice job. I agree, don't go too thick on the skin. That style of old Gon Bops hardware is not very strong. If you put a thick skin on and crank it up too high, you can bend the lugs or lug plates, bend the rim, or even break something. Also, put the skin on with the rim much higher. The top of the rim should be maybe 1/4" to 1/2" down from the bearing edge if you are putting a thin skin that will stretch more. That skin you have on there has obviously stretched a lot, and now takes much more force on the lugs to tune it up to playing pitch. If the rim is much higher it takes less tension on the lugs to tune it up.
Regarding the bands, looks like you got them on straight, although the angle of the pic is not perfect to see that. Tape between the metal and wood, not too tight, use the tacks to hold them in place (minimal impact on the wood), and see how they do over the next year cycle of climate changes in your area.

bongosnotbombs wrote:Very excellent and beautiful refurbishment! I agree with Olsongo, for this type of drum go with a skin that is not going to cause too much stress on the drum. Mule skins are tough on conga shells. I think a cow skin maybe a little on the thinner side would be best for this old Gon Bops.

I agree about the cow skin too. Also the wood is a softer wood than most other congas on this type of Gon Bops. Mule will create greater stress on the shell compared to cow skin.

Very nice job Kona. Did you refinish the shell? What type and color of stain did you use?

Thanks for all the tips guys.
I didn't use the cloth tape under the rings - just got in too much of a hurry - but I think it is a good idea. I pulled the rings down just snug-finger tight. In fact the bottom one is loose - but it's not going to bother me....right now. The 'climate' in my house is pretty steady all year = not too hot (I don't haev air conditioning but the downstairs is nice-n-cool in the summer) and moderate temp in the winter. I'll keep an eye on it.

I know what you mean regarding think hides. I will be going with a cowhide for this drum. For fun I think I will soak the old head and see if I can get enough 'edge' to tuck it again.............I'm not too hopefull in that regard but the head is pretty much useless as it is so it won't hurt to practice. I've tucked lots of heads. Tucked (wrestled) some T-Rex on my Valjes in the past.

Rings lined up:
I used the old tack holes as a guide so the rings are lined up as they were when I got the drum..........straight I think.

THE FINISH:
I used Varathane Teak stain and some Oak stain hear and there to give it a little 'fade'......it didn't work totally the way I wanted but it was my first try at it. I used Varathane Clear Gloss lacquer - 5 coats. All oiled base.

Great Job.
Enjoy!