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Meinl Woodcraft - quality oak !

PostPosted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:53 am
by Mike
Finally, after a local carpenter repaired the nasty crack in the shell of the tumba,
(see viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8416&start=15#p78128 ),
I am now able to enjoy the full potential of this outstanding set of drums.
The build quality is just awesome, VERY heavy construction throughout (Tumba weighs 17kg!),
beautiful oak wood, traditional barrel style.
P1110045.JPG
P1110047.JPG

I had to rearrange some of the bands that were loose and rattled
due to the shrinking of the wood over the last 14 or so years.

Re: Meinl Woodcraft !

PostPosted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 11:09 am
by Mike
The original skins are pretty amazing, despite being water buffalo. After careful tuning,
the congas produce a surprisingly focused sound with some ring due to the water buffalo,
but not too much, nice open tones.
And the conga is slappable like nothing, and that at a size of almost 12" (11.9").
Most congas I have played on are usually undersized (i.e. less than 11.75" diameter of
playing surface), but not this heavy monster. The tumba is really 12.5" and yields an earthy punch.

P1110048.JPG
P1110055.JPG

So this is a gorgeous set that does not leave anything to wish for
- except maybe or rather definitely new (cow) skins one day.
For the time being, these oak barrels kick a** ! 8)

Re: Meinl Woodcraft - quality oak !

PostPosted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 2:08 pm
by Mike
Well, on second thoughts: There drums do deserve better skins,
even if the "True Skins" factory skins on it are quite OK.

Here are two short clips I uploaded:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeQNqFgT ... e=youtu.be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0Z13k3Q ... e=youtu.be

Unfortunately the sound quality is pretty bad.

Anyway, I have just ordered some very nice cow skins from the south of Germany,
which will take several weeks to deliver. So wood and skin will be all homegrown
then once the project is completed. :D

Re: Meinl Woodcraft - quality oak !

PostPosted: Sat Dec 29, 2012 8:27 am
by ABAKUA
Conga-tulations Mike! Good to hear you got the repairs sorted out. They are awesome drums.

I think those skins are fine brother, just need some good tuning. The tuning on the drums in your vid could do with some adjusting... Just my opinion.

Re: Meinl Woodcraft - quality oak !

PostPosted: Sun Dec 30, 2012 7:23 pm
by Mike
Basically you are right, but the water buffalo hides had been hideously badly treated, uneveny tuned and hardly detuned, and I cannot tune up the conga like I want.

Re: Meinl Woodcraft - quality oak !

PostPosted: Mon Dec 31, 2012 4:20 am
by torpedo tom
Are the new Woodcrafts made in Thailand or where? The new Zebra stripe finished ash ones on their website sure look sweet.

Re: Meinl Woodcraft - quality oak !

PostPosted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 12:43 am
by congamyk
^ they sound pretty good too.
http://youtu.be/txKZ0rdMXbw

Re: Meinl Woodcraft - quality oak !

PostPosted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 7:47 am
by Mike
Well now, after some trial and error phase
viewtopic.php?f=14&t=8688
I am done with reskinning those vintage Meinl Woodcraft congas
with quality skins from Banux, the company specialized
in top-notch German cow skins.
The result is really nice, the skins produce an
rounder, earthier sound (know what I mean?) than the original water buffalo skins
the drums came with (which were by no means bad).
But the whiteish skins also look better to me:
Meinl Woodcraft set with Banux skins.JPG

Meinl Woodcraft reskinned with Banux skins.JPG

It is hard to beat the look of those oak shells anyway... 8)
Meinl Woodcraft w Banux2.JPG


I´m loving this set! :D

Re: Meinl Woodcraft - quality oak !

PostPosted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 9:38 am
by joaozinho
Mike.... they are gorgeous!!! beautiful set,man those skins look real nice,they must sound real good.Very nice job :wink:

Re: Meinl Woodcraft - quality oak !

PostPosted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 2:35 pm
by KING CONGA
Conga-tulations Mike, you have a beautiful set of drums there for sure. Good job on the re-skin, they look great.
I have no doubt that you will enjoy those beauties for many years to come :D .
Cheers.
K.C.

Re: Meinl Woodcraft - quality oak !

PostPosted: Sat Apr 20, 2013 2:39 pm
by Omelenko1
Me like. NICE!

Re: Meinl Woodcraft - quality oak !

PostPosted: Sun Apr 21, 2013 11:30 am
by Mike
Thanks for your kind replies.
I am really enjoying those beauties.

Re: Meinl Woodcraft - quality oak !

PostPosted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 9:43 am
by Mike
I banged on my drums early in the morning,
just for you to get an idea of they sound now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TjU1Qq1 ... e=youtu.be

Re: Meinl Woodcraft - quality oak !

PostPosted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:16 pm
by skinslapper
Hey Mike
Great conga's , my friend used to have them i've played them many times .
The old ones, where be about 20 years old and had the old style meinl hardware !
Exactly the same oak tubs though
Indeed the are verry heavy but the have a great sound .

Re: Meinl Woodcraft - quality oak !

PostPosted: Mon Apr 22, 2013 7:34 pm
by Mike
skinslapper wrote:Hey Mike
Great conga's , my friend used to have them i've played them many times .
The old ones, where be about 20 years old and had the old style meinl hardware !
Exactly the same oak tubs though
Indeed the are verry heavy but the have a great sound .

THanks for the kind words, skinslapper.
Yes, they are very heavy indeed, not
the type of drums you want to move around a lot.