My 50+ Years Little Giant

[Omelenko1]

I will like to highlight my "Little Giant", which is a senior citizen over 50 years of age. This guy is 6 1/2" macho, hembra is 7 1/2". Is probably the first Gon Bops generation bongos ever made, from around 1954 to 1956. Mariano Bobadilla started his operation in LA in 1954. Armando Peraza saw a photo of this bongo and said is from the fisrt batch Mariano made. Armando was in California with George Shearing and Cal Tjader at the time. I have a collection just like a lot of you guys, including Mongos 1954 Vergara and Dandy's early 60's oversized concert Valje bongo'. This particular early Gon Bops projects the most amaizing sound of any of the bongos I have. Its a delight to play between your knees because is very light. This little guy can stand up to any big JCR, Piernas, Giovanny's Galaxy, Moperc, Matthew or SOS. Is very compact but delivers a tremendous punch. Enclosed for you bongo nuts, like me, to admire. SONIDO BESTIAL!

Dario

[RitmoBoricua]

When are you going to get “Little Giant” an AARP card? So if Little giant is 50 then Mongo’s Vergara must be approaching social security age. That’s remarkable in reality they can be treated as heirlooms and pass from generation to generation. Little Giant is a nice looking old school bongo set. Is Little Giant a mahogany set? Looks like it. I think LP’s first bongos in the 1960’s have a close resemblance to those old school Gon Bops. Malanga Amarilla Con Picadillo Es Lo Que Hay!

[Omelenko1]

Vaya Ritmo,

The "Little Giant", old school Gon Bops, is mohagony. Is vey well made, compact but very sturdy, its very light weight and a pleasure to play. The sound of the "contra tiempos" you get out of the hembra are very rich and melodic and when you combine them with slaping the macho and its crispy sound, you get an incredible sounding "mazacote" (groove). You could play this little guy in a big band like Machito's and the sound will come through loud and clear. I have never heard another Gon Bops sound like them. Ask Vinnie, our Moderator, he played them and couldn't believe the sound coming out of them.

Dario

[RitmoBoricua]

That bongo has that come and play me look going for itself. A First Ballot Hall Of Famer Bongo Set for Sure!

[PRDRconguero]

God gave us two testicles so that we can trade one for something like this. This bongo....yep...worth a testicle.

[Omelenko1]

Cual de los dos, el derecho o el izquierdo?