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Today my Matthew Smith Requinto arrived.

I dont know how to start this off, Im just blown away by this masterpiece of a drum.

It arrived heavilly packed and protected, multiple layers of foam and thick bubble wrap, plywood top and bottom for added protection, heaps of padding. You wcould bounce the package on concrete!!

The workmanship is spectacular, the finish amazing. The hardware is fantastic. Lugs are nice and thick 3/8" (same size as LP GIovanni/Palladiums), the skin is beyond words, nice thickness, and smoothe.
The drum plays itself, I took it up to Requinto levels and its screams, the tone projection is like nothing I have EVER seen, heard or played before in my life. It sounds as though the drum is mic'd up, the resonance and tone is incredibly rich, it sings, and the slaps... like a whip cracking while being aplified through a world class PA system.

Thank you Matthew Smith for creating this one off, amazing drum for me. I will get a vid happening in the next few days. This baby is going to tear shit up at the next rumba! Got it just in time before I head off to Cuba next week!

As it began.....

Also got a spare skin, selected, cut and premounted by Matthew.

Not quite as dark as the one on the drum currently, slightly lighter in colour, but amazing texture and nice thickness also.

NICE DRUM!

that's how he packages, no box , 7 layers of foam & grosserie style paper, no box ?

good thing it got there safe, no dings

yep about 7 layers of foam, then the paper and cardboard plus about 10 layers of extra thick bubble wrap, plywood round cut outs top n bottom, etc.
With box or case, wouldve cost about an extra $500 in freight. Trust me the drum was extremely well packed in there.

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Me thinks your dog likeee! Nice stuff.

Conga size drums are a pain in the butt to find, and pretty expensive. I actually think Matt is on to something there.

What a Drum!!!! beautiful work,happy for you Abakua.cant you load some video to ear that oustanding soud?

Oh yes, and fantastic drum. I see you got it with a handle too. I love handles on congas.

Thanks for the breath-taking pictures, Abakua.
If the requinto sounds as awesome as it looks,
it must be a real killer.
Congrats anyway!

Mannnnnnnn!!!
All I can say is "HIJO E SUUUUUUUUUUU"
Now that's a Conga drum!
Now you too will be HATED by many
I am very glad for you hermano.
Glad that you joined the ranks of ownership of a "Genuine, hand made by one of the greatest masters, High quality, second to none" Conga drum.
Please don’t keep us in suspense and make a video son
Felicidades once again.

Hi guys,

Finally I am able to log in for the first time. That's is on great looking drum! Congratulations on your latest toy!

Marcelo your photos remind me of when undressing a beautiful sexy woman.
You just KNOW the anticipation of what's gonna happen!
Glad to hear that "she" is a screamer

Great looking drum, can't wait to hear it.
Perhaps El Misterioso de la Rumba will appear from the southern continent and do a review of the sound?

That's a drum !!!!!

Very nice, and the sound must be amazing !!!

Congratulation,

G.

Abakua---Nice drum---Beautiful!!!
Enjoy---Matthews drums are some of the best and made to last.
Your drum looks like a real screamer!!!
Congratulations,
KK