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Last night I checked Craigslist for drums and stumbled upon these in Hoboken, NJ not too far from me. I wrote him last night and he called me this morning So I went and picked them up. They look like they were never played, original heads, lugs, chrome, all look great no splits or repairs not even a single mar on the finish. It has a wood two piece center block or joiner which my LP's from the late 60's have. Can anyone guess as to the date on these? Thanks

Yeah........he told me you came in a Benz........lol
jc

I ask Tom, the guy who sold them to you and he said the son of the man who made them in L.A. told him they're from the 1970's
jc

I have a similar pair of Valje bongos that I got from John "Dandy" Rodriguez, (T. Puente, Tipica 73" Ray Barretto), in my book the tastiest bongocero in the business for the last 30 yrs. I sent photos to Ralph in Resolution Drums (Tom Flores son) and he told me they are from the late 60's (67/69). Mine have the extended collar,(about 1" below the bottom hoops) which were called concert bongos. Enclosed see photos,including "Dandy" with them.

Dario

Yea Thats me in the Benz, convertable too, LOL buts its hard to carry congas in it. He also told me that Ralph said the 70's but they just seemed earlier to me. They sound great by the way. Im going to save the heads get some new flesh rings from Cali or Matthew and mount some Caballo hides on them y me voy a montar.

I have the same bongo, I got them from the previous owner's girlfriend.
Late 70's, not 60's. I belive Dario's are the earlier model, and these ones
the later.

Aloha Gang,

Can anyone tell me what time era these Bongo's came from? I know the hardware is rare, and I believe the shells are walnut. I noticed the label is on the shell, and noticed other Valje drums has the labels on the hardware.

Keep on Poundin' and Happy Easter! Aloha, maSSivdrums

I had that bongo' and now Faustino (Cuquito) in New Jersey has it. I had Jay (SOS) make the center piece. I have the original two cylindrical chromed rods that came with it. Is a Valje Jack Costanzo, circa 1957 per Valje price sheet from that year. By the way, it sounds incredible. This is a photo of when I had them. I pasted a Cuban flag emblem on the center piece Jay made for me.

Dario

Aloha Dario,

Mahalo for the vital information on this piece of history. I bought this Bongo from a collector here in Honolulu about 5 years ago and now keep it on my shelf in the same shape as I bought it . I am honored to own a piece of history. This Bongo is older than me!!!!

Keep on Poundin'... Aloha, maSSivdrums

Another shot from the inside...

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