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Posted: **Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:49 pm**

Hi to all. I recently picked up a set of JCR Bongos and they are the large size with beautiful Mahogany shells. My question is..if there is anyway to know about how old they are? Thanks.
p.s.. I can post a picture a lilttle later today so you all can see it.
Thanks very much.

Posted: **Tue Feb 19, 2008 2:16 pm**

I can give you an idea when you post the picture.

Here's a sneak preview of some of the new ones
we're now making. This one is a smaller traditional cuban size:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgwGv2f55z0

ISAAC
Sales JCR PErcussion Co.
jcrpercussion@gmail.com or TradicioPercussion@gmail.com

Posted: **Tue Feb 19, 2008 5:36 pm**

Thank you Isaac. My digital camera's memory card developed a problem and I have to go buy a new one today so that is why I could not post the picture right away. Bear with me a little while longer. Thank you.

Posted: **Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:41 pm**

Hello Isaac...here are the pictures. I hope they are satisfactory. With heads on., the tops measure just under 9" and just under 7". Can you tell about when they were made?
Thanks.

Posted: **Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:47 am**

I had an identical pair that I bought from Rolando at "Do Re Mi" Music in 1981, at the time the only Florida rep for Cali. I paid $225 back then. You have a masterpiece in your hands. You can't get nothing better.

Enjoy,

Dario

Posted: **Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:35 am**

Thanks very much for that info Dario. I really appreciate it. I can imagine that they will poduce a nice sound from the Mahogany wood. I have some nice mule skin that I plan on using on them. By the way....does any one have any leads on some tuning hooks for them? They came with some hooks that I know are not original. I guess it is not that critical at this time, but I would eventually like to make the set 100% original. Again, thanks for the inputs as I am a novice when it comes to jcr bongos and you guys are seasoned veterans on the subject.

Posted: **Wed Feb 20, 2008 9:45 pm**

Those are gorgeous !
Please send me one more shot of the other side if you can.

These are older JCR Dominican Republic Caoba Mahogany Shells - from the
late 70s to late 80s.

It looks like the hardware was more recently redone which I detect
from the welding style on the bottom rims.

JCR switched to another lighter weight tropical wood since then...
and they still sound awesome.

ISAAC

Posted: **Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:42 pm**

I will take a few more pictures in a few minutes and get them out..

Posted: **Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:26 pm**

Hi everyone..here are the other pictures I took of the Bongos, and Isaac, I hope these other pictures are what you meant.
Thanks very much.

Posted: **Thu Feb 21, 2008 1:12 pm**

Wow....those are truly beautiful bongos....hey Isaac, does Cali still make any of his larger drums cylindrical, o sea, like old LPs which are straighter on the sides, not conical?...

Saludos!

Edited By maelopr on 1203599611

Posted: **Thu Feb 21, 2008 7:24 pm**

Yes we still can, but none like that are in the works now.
The taper on the new ones is not that much of an angle.
I'm doing the designs...so please email me.

~ ISAAC
jcrpercussion@gmail.com

Posted: **Mon Feb 25, 2008 5:35 am**

Fyi to everyone.........Since my newly aquired JCR Bongos have a few scrapes here and there I have decided to....................Restore the shells. Wait until you see these when I am finished with them. They will be my crowning achievement!! ETA............about 2 to 3 weeks.

Posted: **Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:06 am**

THE BREEZE,

YOU ARE SO LUCKY TO OWN THOSE. THEY REPRESENT A PIECE OF HISTORY, AND ARE ALREADY GORGEOUS. SO I'M SURE, THEY ARE GOING TO BE "REAL BEAUTIFUL GEMS" AFTER YOUR WORK ON THEM IS COMPLETE :;):
HAVE FUN BRO, AND PLEASE DON'T FORGET, TO SHOW THEM OFF AFTER YOU ARE DONE

CHARLIE "EL COQUI" VERDEJO

Edited By yambu321 on 1203941076

Posted: **Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:19 am**

Thanks. I am really looking forward to doing this project. I will definitely post some good pictures.
I am even going to use new tuning lugs, and a mule skin I have on standby for the Macho.

Posted: **Wed Feb 27, 2008 6:19 pm**

Here is a photo of a JCR like yours (late 70's,early 80's) refinished and with new hardware from Resolution Drums. Con cuero de mula.

Dario

Edited By Omelenko on 1204136534

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... rdware.jpg

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JCR Bongos - Any way to tell their age?