My 70+ year old Cuban bongo (Project)

[Psych1]

If only these bongos could talk - what stories they could tell!

What I know: They are one piece Cuban walnut made in the 1930's. They belonged to The Nacional. They haven"t been played since the last owner died in 1969. Macho 6", Hembra 7 3/8". They are tall, 7 1/2". They were tackheads but along the way someone drilled holes in the shells and fitted them with cheap hardware.

The macho is in good shape. The hembra was split and had a lot of vertical stress cracks, most following the grain. I have repaired all the cracks but I don't believe this old hembra can take the stress of modern hardware now. I considered, then rejected, the idea of reinforcing the inside with fiberglass. Now I'm thinking about gluing 6 or 8 spruce struts spaced vertically around the inside of the shell - something I saw in one of the old conga threads.

At some point I'll probably send it off to one of the pros to make hardware for it but I have some more work to do first. One of these days she will sing again!!!

[PRDRconguero]

It'll be nice to see how she comes together.

Where did you pick those up? Around your way in Turkey?? Online?

[Omelenko1]

It will make a very nice Changui bongo'. It proably accompanied the great sonero Ignacio Piñero back in the glory days of Cuban son.
EL SON ES LO MAS SUBLIME, PARA EL ALMA DIVERTIR!

dARIO

[Psych1]

I got them from someone I met on this board. He knows more about the history. Maybe he will add more.

Dario - Yes they were used by the Septeto. They may even be the ones that made the historic trip to Spain!
Like I said - "If only they could talk."

[Anonimo]

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[Psych1]

Leedy2 - Thank you for that update.

For some history see - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_%28music%29

[Anonimo]

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[Psych1]

They are going out to Matthew Smith tomorrow.

Leedy2 - Thank you for putting me in touch with him.

[Anonimo]

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[Anonimo]

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