Bongo Quality - What is acceptable quality?

[mcraghead]

I decided to venture into the world of hand drums. I ordered a set of the Richie Flores Series bongos and I just got them on Friday.
Since I have never owed any bongos or handled anything other than "toy" type bongos I have a couple of questions about the quality that I should expect.

The bongos seem a little loose at the post that joins them together; I can twist them slightly. I wasn't sure if this was normal. I guess I could take a wrench to it and tighten them up but didn't know if I should. Should it be a little loose or should I tighten it?

I also noticed on my bongos that on each drum body there is a crack that runs from the bottom of the drum about 1/4 to 1/3 up. It's only on the inner portion of the shell and doesn't extend to the outside of the shell. Is this common?

If these are really flawes then I'm surprised because I thought the Pearl Elites were a high-end drum (at least entry-level high-end if that makes any sense). One of the reasons I went with the Pearls was because I have been so pleased with my MQ Series timbales.

Hopefully someone on the forum can set the record straight for me. Thanks.

[caballoballo]

Mcra,
Yes you should tight the inner block and NO,there should not be any cracks on the shells. The quality, In most industries,only so many items are inspected of a batch so that is why you get some instruments with flaws. If I was you ,I will return the instrument to the vendor for an exchange and ask him to make sure he inspect before shipping. Read on the Bongó forum for the opinion on different brands in case you want to buy some better one. You can get better hand made Bongos in U.S,made to your specs,superior quality,better sound. Check Timba,GonBops,Moperc,Mountain Rhytm,Volcano Percussion. Check Mercadolibre.com and e-bay,sometimes they have good bongos there.



Edited By caballoballo on 1146480169

[Raymond]

The crack is probably the "division of the wood stalves". The tightening of the bolts inside is something that should not happen. The quality should be number 1 but you had one of those exceptions. I am passing your comments straight to the source at Pearl......

If you find anything else, let me know.

Saludos

[neftali.rosado]

mcraghead,

I have some Pearl Bobby Allende Bongos, I had the same problem with the drums fealing loose @ that post. I solved the problem by adding another washer. As far as the wood being cracked take them right back the last thing you want is to hold on to them and not be able to return them later.

Saludos,

Neftali Rosado

[rumbaman]

Hey how are you guys doing today great i hope . I have a pair of lp armando perazas' . The first pair that i bought were cracked inside also , the rose wood is brittle . I returned them quickly back , and they changed them for me . I do'nt even touch those nuts that are inside anymore i learned my lesson . I over tightend the otherones .


rumbaman

[mcraghead]

Hey how are you guys doing today great i hope . I have a pair of lp armando perazas' . The first pair that i bought were cracked inside also , the rose wood is brittle . I returned them quickly back , and they changed them for me . I do'nt even touch those nuts that are inside anymore i learned my lesson . I over tightend the otherones .


rumbaman

I'm in the process of trying to return mine as well. The vendor has given me a return authorization number but I need to double box for some reason, even though it was only single boxed when it was sent to me.

Thanks for the responses.

[rumbaman]

hy how you all doing . hope all is fine . thats why i do not like buying expensive stuff over the net , because it can be a hassle to return . i bought mines at a music store , they were realy good about it . they just questioned me about them and that was it.

good luck man ,

rumbaman

[mcraghead]

I finally got a replacement a few weeks ago. Based on the packaging it looks like the original was probably a set that was returned. I think the replacement may have been shipped directly from Pearl.

The new set is in better condition than the first although the macho is still cracked in the same spot but the hembra is not. I'm not going to fight it as it is not worth the effort. Even though the dealer paid for the return shipping the last time, they requested that I double box the bongos sending them back. That cost me about $12 in packaging.

Maybe next time I will get a "better" set. This purchase was made because I thought it was a good deal. The bongos are kind of secondary to me as the timbales are my prefered instrument. If I develop any talent for the bongos I'll do another purchase later. For now the Richie Flores' will have to do.

Thanks for all of the help and suggestions.