congaplace.com

Figured mahogany, 10 lugs. Macho 6.75 inches, hembra 8.75...I feel very privileged to get it....

Those look beauties , nice one fella,

marco

HEY COCO,
CONGRATS!!!! YOUR SET, AND MY SET ARE BROTHERS, FROM THE SAME TIME FRAME OF SPECIAL ORDERS FOR BONGO'S.


MATTHEW SMITH, IN MY BOOK, IS THE MAN! I TOO FEEL VERY FORTUNATE.

MY PAIR IS MADE OF CHERRYWOOD. THE ACTUAL SIZES OF THE SHELLS FROM BEARING EDGE TO BEARING EDGE AS MEASURED BY ME IS: MACHO IS 6 1/2", WITH A 8 3/4" HEMBRA, AND 10 LUG DESIGN.

CHARLIE.

Those are great looking bongos. I like how he spaces the drums close together,
that's got to make them easier to hold.
I've never played or seen a 10 lug bongo, does that make them easier to tune
or something?
Really sweet looking bongos guys, just beautiful.

Spectacular is not worthy a word to describe those beauties. Incomparable.
Sincere congratulations brother. I cant wait for my set of 4 congas in the same Mahogany.

I know there are guys in our forum waiting for Matthew to deliver their orders, I know we all get impatient. The man is a one man operation, he puts his heart and soul into every drum he makes. When the boxes finally arrive and you open them, the words are like COÑO, PAL' CARAJO!!!! I know there is no one out there today in the conga, bongo, and bata making process that makes a better product. He is very inovative and is constantly improving and beautifying his designs in the drum itself and in the hardware. Another factor is that he is fairly young and his energy level is at the peak, older craftsmen are not that motivated to be more creative. When the product arrives, you guys will be more than satisfied and your existing inventory will be playing second string to the newly acquired rookies.

Saludos,

Dario

Attached: A Matt Smith black walnut bongo' that he made for my friend.

Dario speaks the truth....I have been waiting going on 8 months now for ONE oak tumbador. Every time I call Matt up he pushed back the date, but I understand he's been busy, and let's not forget people....it aint easy making a drum. In any case anyone thats ordering a drum from matt knows the deal, and even though the wait can be long, like Dario said, when you open up that neatly packed box...you'll pinch yourself...


I can't wait to get my tumbador...Abakua...i know when 2012 comes around you will be just as happy bro. !!!!!!

They are certainly beautiful, the only question I'd have would be with the 10 lugs. Why 10 ? My bongos sound perfect with 8, surely it's just extra weight and discomfort when gripping between the legs.

Barrie

Barrie,

I agree with you. I have a 10 lug Gon Bops and a 10 lug Ismael. I just had Cali (JCR) make standard 8 lug hardware for the Ismael. I now love it even more, before it was too heavy, unconfortable on the knees and the crowns were too high, which made it a killer on the fingertips. Right now is perfect.
The 10 lug bongo' was a creation of Rogelio Iglesias (Yeyito), who played with Cachao on the Descargas and with Conj. Casino. What it provides is a very even tunning and Yeyito liked a very crisp sound on the macho. It became hip and avant garde to own a 10 lug bongo', but it is definitely unconfortable and heavy to play 3 sets with such an instrument. My 2 cents.

Dario

Attached: My 10 lug Gon bops and 10 Lug Ismael

Well far be it from me to second guess Yeyito ! He rapidly became the bongocero I most studied and worked to emulate after discovering him, his sound is incredible, I was listening to 'Our man in Havana' this morning which also credit's Willie Bobo on Bongo but you can easily hear Yeyito's stand out playing on 'Vengan Pollos' for example. Talk about gun shot slaps !

Barrie

Barrie,

I'm with you on Yeyito also. You know I loved Mongo like a father, I know Armando real good and I also know Candito (Candido) real well. I admire and respect these gentlemen to the fullest, but my # 1 on bongo' has got to be Yeyito. Mongo told me the story of "Our Man In Havana" recording and how he hand picked all the Cuban musicians, he said it had to be Yeyito on bongo'. He mentioned how Willie Bobo had impressed all the Cuban musicians with his percussion skills, he mentioned how Niño Rivera was blown away by Willie. Mongo, Armando, Candido, Papa Kila and Yeyito are from the same school, but Yeyito I think had an edge. The late Cachao, a personal friend and an exceptional bongocero himself told me "all of them are great, but Yeyito has my vote".

Saludos,

Dario

ralph wrote:Abakua...i know when 2012 comes around you will be just as happy bro. !!!!!!

I wouldnt bet on 2012... A brother has to keep some secrets...

THIS IS A PHOTO OF THE INSIDE OF MY NEW MATTHEW SMITH CHERRY WOOD BONGO'S, HEMBRA.
THANKS,
CHARLIE.

ONE MORE OF THE HEMBRA.

CHARLIE.

An Angled Lower View.