congaplace.com

Anyone know where/how I can get a set of El Piernas lugs? They have a 9/16 nut and are cut from 3/8 stock - Bauer may use the same lugs but I am not sure. I can't find a machine shop here that can make the exact lugs. I would really like original HR lugs if I can get them.

You may try to contact 3A percussion, they use the same gauge (3/8") of lugs. by3apercussion.com/.

Thank you Caballoballo . I sent them an email via their contact link on the web site. They do look like the same shape as the HR lugs.

yo soy la hija de hector rocha si tu quieres yo te puedo conseguir los tornillos q estas buscando y todo lo q necesites referente a los instrumentos de nuestra compañia hr el piernas mi email es naty8324@hotmail.com o el hectorrocha@live.com

Super! 3A doesn't answer their email and I really want the HR lugs. El Piernas really is a great bongo! Sent you an email.

Hey Psych1. Have contact El Piernas daughter ? I got a reply with the price. $100 for 8 Lugs and a set of Maracas shipped. That is the problem from Colombia, the parts are not too expensive but the shipping kills the deal.

Caballo - I got a reply but she said she was waiting for a delivery and would get back to me. No price. I only need 4 new lugs and if it is half the price $50, that would be great. But, then I might only get one maraca! Those lugs are so heavy and look so strong but the ones I have stripped pretty easily even with lube and detuning.

Psych, has been a long time since I have stripped a lug, I find very strange that to happen to your El Piernas. Have you tried to get the lugs repair by a machine shop ?

Heres a picture. Maybe it was just a bad batch. 3 of them are like that. I went to a machine shop to try to get new ones but maybe I'll just get them cut down so I can put 1/2 nuts on them.

That don't look nothing like stripped man.........that's looks like somebody banged the caca out of it.

Yes,this lug looks pretty roughed up
I have just bought an HR bongó second-hand.
Hopefully the lugs are still in good shape...

Vaya Mike, finally you got it,congratulations . It looks like is a heavy boy. I sold the blue 1 I had to a friend so I do not feel too bad about it because is in good hands. Still have the vintage old one.

Psych,The other day I spoke to Alejandro from 3A and complained about him not answering e-mails, he said sometimes it is hard to take care of the mail. He is suppose to receive some merchandise down here where my lugs are included.

caballoballo wrote:Vaya Mike, finally you got it,congratulations . It looks like is a heavy boy.

Thanks, hermano, I have been lurking for a really solid bongó, and, having read your numerous posts on El Piernas, I do believe this heavy boy will cut through on stage quite well. I also dig the Cuban style bottom rims. Probably I will use them on a stand due to their weight. I have got itchy fingers, and I am also curious about the skins. BTW do you happen to know what wood type my bongó could be?

caballoballo wrote:I sold the blue 1 I had to a friend so I do not feel too bad about it because is in good hands. Still have the vintage old one.

Yes, we all take really care about the path instruments take that we had to leave to somebody else, I know that feeling and I am happy to hear your blue bongó is in good hands indeed.

Sorry for threadjacking, just had to share my joy with someone who understands

Mike they are made of Guayacan, scientific name is Lignum vitae which is a trade wood, also called Guayacan or in Europe known as pockenholz, from trees of the genus Guaiacum. This wood was once very important for applications requiring a material with its extraordinary combination of strength, toughness and density.


Other names for lignum vitae include palo santo (Spanish for "holy wood") and greenheart; lignum vitae is also one of the numerous hard, dense woods referred to as ironwood.

Lignum vitae is hard and durable, and is also the densest wood traded; it will easily sink in water. On the Janka Scale of Hardness, which measures hardness of woods, lignum vitae ranks highest of the trade woods, with a Janka hardness of 4500 (compared with Hickory at 1820, red oak at 1290, and Yellow Pine at 690).

The Skins on youe El Piernas should be top ones, be aware that the macho skin could be a thick one, if it is,you should change it for a thinner one thus preventing wood cracking.

Last week as I mentioned 3A was down here promoting his products, he had a conga bag full of guiros maracas and campanas. Also he was showing his new Bongó art work, I called art work because the shells and the skins were painted with the same art. Skins look like the remo skin deep type. Very, very interesting but then I questioned,what about in the event of skin split ? how difficult would be to obtain the same pattern ? Because the problem we have with instruments made in Colombia is the shipping cost.

Hi Mike,

You made a good buy. El Piernas is really a great bongo - you're going to love them. And you know how Caballobello feels about his! I believe HR uses only local (Columbian) wood. I've been told that my set is made of Palo Santo or what they also call "Holy wood". But my set is made from a darker wood then yours so yours may be some other variety of Columbian wood. The HR hardware is really incredible - super heavy duty and heavy. A stand really helps whith these but if you have the same center block as mine the Sonor stand won't work without cutting the block down a little. Keep us posted.