BEST SYNTHETIC BONGO HEADS ?

[Thebreeze]

Hello everyone. With so much discussions lately about mule skins, cow, etc,. I wanted to go a different route and decided to try a set of synthetic bongo heads on a set of my Bongos. The Bongos I have in mind are my Meinl "Live Sound" Series. They are made of wood, The heads measure 7" macho and 8 1/2 " hembra. I have never had synthetic heads and have very little experience with them, but I did do a little research on past threads here on the forum. The main products discussed were Remo "Nuskyn", Remo "Fiberskyn 3" , and Evans "Tri-Center" . As best as I can tell, it looks like the majority liked Fiberskyn first, with Evans Tri-Center second, and not too many people seemed to like the Remo Nuskyn.
I took a look at these products on the Remo and Evans Websites and what I see is that Remo uses one size for LP matadors, and lp valje bongos for instance. Both have the same head sizes 7 1/4 and 8 5/8. The problem I see is that the size of the remo Fyberskyn 3 tucked heads are 7.15 and 8.50. To me this would make for a very tight fit no? Remo does not even have Meinl listed on it's availability for heads. It seems to me that these heads just might work for my meinl bongos?

The Evans web site shows a set of heads for meinls fwb400 which are 7 and 8.5 but Evans actual head sizes are 7 1/4 and 8 5/8. This seems like a better fit for LP than for meinls. I think if I got these that they would be too loose on top?

Please let me know what you guys that have synthetic head experience think ok?
Thanks very much.

Will.

[bongosnotbombs]

Hey Will,
You might want to swing by a music store, I know they have a lot of these syn-skins you're talking
about in stock, you know, just to get a feel for them in your hands. Probably you could bring in your
shells to and see how they work out. I know Haight Ashbury music has some and Guitar Center probably
has even more...............

[Mike]

Hi Will,
those Livesound bongos must be somewhat older if I am not mistaken. As far as I know, this Meinl series has been discontinued since the late 1990s I am not sure there, but they have got a nice shell contour for sure!

The main products discussed were Remo "Nuskyn", Remo "Fiberskyn 3" , and Evans "Tri-Center" . As best as I can tell, it looks like the majority liked Fiberskyn first, with Evans Tri-Center second, and not too many people seemed to like the Remo Nuskyn.

Well, Nuskins dampen the overtones to some extent, which can be an advantage if you do not like the tinny sound of some synthetics. On the flip side, synthetic head like fiberskyns are said to cut though the mix more easily. It depends which sound you want.
I once had a fiberskyn on my Afro elite bongó and I was not really satisfied in the end. The surface was a bit TOO smooth, the sound a bit TOO ... synthetic Honestly I did not like it. Sold the Afro anyway and ended up with Steven´s LP Generation I bongó with Isaac´s mule on macho and a thick cowskin on hembra...
But of course I DO know about the advantages for the performing bongocero who does not have to care about tuning and climate etc.

Evans: Well, this does not sound too bad: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=850&hilit=meinl+bongos+synthetic+skin

I would really do what BnB suggests anyway: Consult your local music store and try them on your Meinl Livesound bongó, as they are from a time when there weren´t that many synthetic heads around.
It would be a nuisance for you to order some syn-skin and get dissatisfied with a rather expensive skin that does not fit.

Good luck&take care
Mike

[Thebreeze]

BNBs....I will take your advice and take my bongos and rims to a music store to make sure I get a good fit. Thanks very much for your sound advice, always valuable.
Mike...yes I think these are older because I can't find much info when I look in the web. I had a set of live sound fiberglass congas and they were made to last, great quality. I read the thread you linked about evans and I just might try them out. Either those or maybe the "tucked fiberskyn" . I will probably go to guitar center since they will probably have a good selection. I understand that the Evans heads are Etched on the surface and I would prefer that to a smooth surface. Also, the fact that I am not a performing percussionist, it will not be as critical for me to have the loudest sounding heads etc.. I will let you all know what I end up with and will post pictures of them when I get the heads.
Thanks you guys for the tips and info.

Will.

[maelopr]

Hi guys! Just wanted to say I have a pair of those same bongos (different color) and I've found that the synthetic skins that worked best for me were the crimplock Remo Fiberskyns-good sound and projection and they fit perfectly. I tried the Evans once-didn't life the sound (too dead) and somehow didn't like the way they fit, seemed like they wouldn't hold more than a few tunings...just my 2 cents.

-Ismael

[Thebreeze]

Ismael....you are the Man! Then that is what I am going to get for my bongos. Thanks very much for adding this info!

Will.

[Thebreeze]

I just went into the Remo website and it looks like the Crimplock heads are now only available in conga sizes, but seem to have been replaced by the "Tucked heads". so I think I will go ahead and get the fiberskyn tucked heads.

Will.

http://www.remo.com/portal/products/3/1 ... specs.html

http://www.remo.com/portal/products/3/1 ... specs.html

[umannyt]

I just went into the Remo website and it looks like the Crimplock heads are now only available in conga sizes, but seem to have been replaced by the "Tucked heads". so I think I will go ahead and get the fiberskyn tucked heads.

Will,

Just a little caution on the Remo Fiberskyn Tucked heads: I have them on my pair of beater Toca Player Series fiberglass congas (10" and 11") and I don't like how a certain section of the tucked portion (on my 10" drum) is slightly spread out after the head is tuned. And, seemingly, no amount of adjustment could make it go away. As a result, I've had to turn the head slightly around so that the spread-out section is moved away from under any of my hitting hands. Otherwise, there's a real possibility of one's hand accidentally hitting this edge, especially during vigorous playing, which can cause a cut on the palm.

I'd therefore recommend that you stay with Crimplock or, if available, the newer Crimplock Symmetry. You might be interested in the information below which is found on the Gon Bops website: http://www.gonbops.com/heads.asp

Gon Bops Replacement Heads
REMO heads within 1/16" over or under size:
20DH0700R Bongo head 7", Nuskyn
20DH0880R Bongo head 8.80", Nuskyn

They're Crimplock (possibly Crimplock Symmetry), but as indicated above they're Nuskyn and not Fiberskyn. Nevertheless, if you're still interested, you might have to contact Gon Bops directly to inquire as I neither see these heads being sold nor recognize these part numbers anywhere else.

As you may have already heard the 2008 Gon Bops CA Series congas (possibly bongos too) are now spec'd with Remo Nuskyn Crimplock Symmetry heads. The GB bongos come in the same head sizes (7" macho & 8.5" hembra) as your Meinls.

I, too, recently have been seriously considering stocking myself with Remo Nuskyn Crimplock Symmetry heads for both my GB CA congas and bongos so that I can sometimes use synthetic heads while still keeping all my stock animal skins.

Not having to retune your drums during live gigs would be a huge convenience for me. Besides, if synthetic heads are good enough for such greats as Dandy Rodriguez and a growing number of others, then it's certainly good enough for me.

Good luck,

[Thebreeze]

Hi Manny. Thanks for the great info. Now I seem to be back at square 1 again. I am going to try to find out if the Crimplock are still available for bongos somewhere. I don't want to have that tucked problem happen. Thanks again for the info.

Will.

[umannyt]

Hi Will,

No problem. Glad to be of help.

I just remembered that I had this additional information at the back of my head: Columbus Percussion of Columbus, OH (http://www.columbuspercussion.com/store/index.php) carries a wide variety of Remo heads.

The following link will direct you to the page showing some Remo Crimplock Symmetry heads for 7" and 8.5" bongos: http://www.columbuspercussion.com/store ... 20a&page=3

They're actually the new Remo R Series Skyndeep Graphic M6 Type available in "Calfskin", "Puerto Rican Flag" and "Tiger Stripe" graphics.

You might want to inquire from them if they still carry Remo Fiberskyn Crimplock heads that you're interested in.

I, myself, plan to give them a call this week.

Again, good luck,

[Thebreeze]

Manny...I looked at those heads and I seem to like the Calfskin model. The PR flag and Tiger Stripe just don't make it with the yellow color of my Bongos, but I am leaning on the Calfskin model. My guess is that Remo must have been getting enough complaints about heads not fitting just right so they came up with this new style that will fit more bongos of different makers. I think they will do and I am thinking about ordering a set on line, but might just wait and do what BNBs suggested and try them out in person with my bongos. Seems like the smart thing to do for sure.

will.

Crazy huh? all this brain strain for about 60 dollars.

[umannyt]

Manny...I looked at those heads and I seem to like the Calfskin model. The PR flag and Tiger Stripe just don't make it with the yellow color of my Bongos, but I am leaning on the Calfskin model.

Will,

Me, too. I like the Calfskin graphic. I'm more of a minimalist and like things simple but elegant.

Crazy huh? all this brain strain for about 60 dollars.

Not really. Might as well do it right the first time and avoid any regrets later on.

[Thebreeze]

Good Point Manny.

Will.