SHOW ME YOUR ZEBRAS

[FidelsEyeglasses]

I know Markito has one in pristine condition as well.
Dario

I'm finally getting around to re-skinning them in the next few weeks.. I'm really curious to hear how they will sound.

[Mike]

Awesome, those shells! Congrats on that refurb!

[Omelenko1]

Markito,

They look stunning!

[Mike]

Now here is what I got today from
local ads, not really a fortune,
but I am fortunate to own one too
- even if came straight out of a cold and damp cellar,
cobwebs all over it... No, I am not talking about a
bottle of fancy old wine

In fact I might get rid of the Remo Fyberskin macho, certainly the hembra,
as the still original skin is pretty thin and has had its life already.

[RitmoBoricua]

Nice find. Your has a center block some of them zebras
do not have a standard center block. The one on the beginning
of this thread has cuban bottoms. Same zebra shells but configured
a little different.

[Mike]

Ritmoboricua, that´s right, that model
seems to have been configured differently,
but I am still quite happy.
I scored something that is valuable for me at least.

[FidelsEyeglasses]

The center block isn't the Lp factory original, unless Lp later started using a solid center block.
Dario or Cuco would probably know.

Still no question... you made a very nice buy.

Markito

[Mike]

I see, Markito, well, for me the center block is OK.
Perhaps the bongó is an in-between model? I wonder
if some installed the block deliberately, for example when
he wanted to mount the bongó on a stand.

BTW what happened to the skin of your macho? Why does the rim
not sit snugly on it in your second picture I wonder.

[Psych1]

I got one too! Looks like Mike's. Original center block.
If there were only 100 of them made, looks like this board has really a lot of them!
You can get one too - just have to be obsessive and willing to spend $$$
But, never find another deal like Mike just got..

[RitmoBoricua]

That what I was saying that looks like LP configured the zebra bongos in different ways.
Some with solid center block others with cuban steel bottoms. Is all good.

[FidelsEyeglasses]

BTW what happened to the skin of your macho? Why does the rim
not sit snugly on it in your second picture I wonder.

Those two photos were among several that the original seller showed in his auction (Ebay).
The Macho had the original semi transparent verrrry PAPER THIN 'Kip' skin (real 'Kip') on it, but was torn.
I took off the original skins. I'm going to put my own skins on.

M.

[Omelenko1]

According to Cohen, in a radio interview in Miami in the mid 80's, he said he got the zebra wood during the Vietnam conflict (late 60's) and that only about 100 pairs were made between the late 60's and up to like 1972, when the stock ran out. At the time I had a Maywood, NJ early pair that he had made, it belonged to Juan Maendez, Pacheco's bongocero in "Viva Africa", I thought it was "the bomb", but Cohen downplayed it and said the real trophies were the ZEBRAS.

Dario

[docarroyo]

Nice Zebras Mike I love mine I have kept them original since I purchased them new back in the early 70's. My set came with the two piece block made also of zebra wood. Your set also have the early signs no trade mark stamp on hardware and foil/paper lable. Many players mod thier bongo such as with center blocks or different hardware to suit thier taste but as I remember some did come with solid center blocks. In any case they look GREAT and I know they sound Fantastic, I played mine out the night before Thanksgiving and was asked if I wanted to sell them, I just smiled and said no thank you. You got a great deal I hope I never have to sell mine enjoy you wonderful new Vintage Latin Percussion Zebrawood Bongo Bro

[FidelsEyeglasses]

According to Cohen, in a radio interview in Miami in the mid 80's, he said he got the zebra wood during the Vietnam conflict (late 60's) and that only about 100 pairs were made between the late 60's and up to like 1972, when the stock ran out. At the time I had a Maywood, NJ early pair that he had made, it belonged to Juan Maendez, Pacheco's bongocero in "Viva Africa", I thought it was "the bomb", but Cohen downplayed it and said the real trophies were the ZEBRAS.

Dario

This was the original skin on the Macho, very thin semi transparent Kip.
With Lp "Maywood N.J." stamp.
Scanned it with a Quarter behind it.

Thanks for that info D.

M.

" Cuero Na' Ma' "

[RitmoBoricua]

Mr. LP himself talked a little bit about the company he created.

http://www.descarga.com/cgi-bin/db/archives/Interview5

http://www.pas.org/experience/halloffam ... artin.aspx