GOAT SKINS for Bongos / Changui Bongos ?

[Isaac]

I have often have access to haired & unhaired clean goat skins...
and there's never been a health issue. They're properly
inspected and must go through customs which also scrutinizes
hides if shipped in bulk. They're good for Bomberas,
Pandeiros, Pandarettas and Doumbek or a Cuica. A Merengue Tambora
also needs to get one side of cow and the other side traditionally ought to get a double layer
of thin goat, so no use in overspending on African goat. They're from the
Middle East. I believe Changuii Bongos are also meant to be goat.
Can someone confirm this, I'm not positive. I have had some Changui Shells
awaiting heads in the new year, to be mounted without hardware, and any recommendations
would be appreciated. "BongosNotBombs" sent me some excellent photos last year that I used
for measurements. Thanks.

I also get a more limited supply of already hairless West African
skins, but they cost more than double for the high quality reputation and strength.
On some instruments it makes less of a difference. It depends what you'll want to do with it.
They can last much longer. For bongos, even the best goat skin
has a short life due to their being overly elastic and getting tightend to the max.
One good pro player I met at JCR who insists on goat for his macho (very old school sound) burns through them
every 3 months, but he's getting the exact super dry sound he's after. I've been told
by pro African Djembe masters that you should never oil
or lubricate a goat skin - it only weakens them.

ISAAC

[No.2-1820]

I love the sound on a bongo macho, but I have never been able to make then last, I know of a very old song from Cuba where you can very clearly hear it's a goat skin on the bongos. If I could make it work I'd use one on a set, I have a Jamaican 'Kette' drum that is like an elongated bongo macho with a goat skin and it's lovely, very earthy but clangy sounding, Nyahbingi drums are goat skinned and nothin else will do for the correct sound.

Barrie

[bongosnotbombs]

I believe Changuii Bongos are also meant to be goat.
Can someone confirm this, I'm not positive. I have had some Changui Shells
awaiting heads in the new year, to be mounted without hardware, and any recommendations
would be appreciated. "BongosNotBombs" sent me some excellent photos last year that I used
for measurements.
ISAAC

The person I know that knows the most about Changui and changui bongos would be Matthew Dubuque the
organizer for the Bongogroup on the yahoo groups. Your a member there right Isaac? You should post over
there for him.