congaplace.com

Bongo Cubano hand made from Guantanamo (where son and changui were born). Made in the 60's very strong, one of a kind exotic Cuban hardwood. Macho 7",
hembra 8". Brand new heads, chivo on macho, mule on hembra. Lightweight incredible sound, great condition for almost a 50 year old bongo. Never seen one like it, unique,exotic, rare. Considering selling it. Private email.

Dario

Wow! Those are some seriously thick staves for a bongo! How's the sound?
PC

Yes. the staves are thick, however, they are lightweight. They sound incredible, very crisp macho sounds, great bottom from the hembra. I have many bongos, these are very unique and built very strong. They are almost 50 yrs. old. In great condition. Not Vergaras or Requenas, made in Oriente province, where son montuno and changui came from. Have not seen one like it.

Dario

The shape on those reminds me of Valje bongos a little bit.

May I ask why you are selling such a rare beauty? I would surely sell the wife, mother in law, kidney or lung before selling this if it were mine!

The wife and the mother in law went. Too many bongos, not enough gigs. Tipical Miami situation. Moving to smaller quarters.

Dario.

Bummer, I though you might have been able to keep the house after the divorce, does that me no more killer conga and bongo pics by the pool?
PC

Here is a clearer photo of the Cuban bongo'. Is from Oriente province, Guantanamo. Vergaras and Requenas where made in La Habana. This is an early 60's bongo Guantanamero. Is very comfortable on the knees and everything on it is original, it does look somewhat like like early Valjes, of which I have had a few, but is built much stronger and has a bigger fuller sound. I have never seen another. The wood is very hard like oak, but is not oak, nor is it mahogany. It might be Cuban majagua, a wood they made baseball bats from.

Dario

Would you be willing to freight to me? At my expense of course.... Hit me up con los detalles meng.

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[/quote]I would not be surprised if Valje's Tom Flores copied from that design and refined it to what it look like today.whom ever buys can refine inside ,cut down on a lave to thin it out make even liter and even out inside .Like what was done to Caribbean Rhythms .[/quote]

I can't see, for the life of me, why anyone in their right mind would want to buy this obviously very special instrument and change the wonderful and unique characteristics of this awesome bongo. Omelenko already said that they are comfortable and that they sound great.
My .02 cents.

Why would I want to change this bongo' ? Why would I want to make it look like a Valje when it sounds better than a Valje and it's very unique. Instruments should retain their originality, this set is 100% original. Only new heads were added, chivo on macho and mula on hembra. Thank God I don't need money (billete no necesito), I only put it out there because my 4 bedroom house with a pool will no longer be housing all my congas, bongos and timbales. I'l be going to an apartment and if I show up with 12 congas, 6 pairs of bongos and 3 pairs of timbales no one in their right mind will rent to me. These are life cycles we all go through, sometimes you have to let go of your treasures. La vida es una caja de sorpresas.

Dario

That's really one of the better Cuban made bongos I've seen. I'm tempted but I've got all the bongos I need! Hey Dario, I live in an apartment too! I feel for you man. I've just got 9 bongos and 3 congas, that's hard enough right there.

Omelenko1 wrote:Why would I want to change this bongo' ? Why would I want to make it look like a Valje when it sounds better than a Valje and it's very unique. Instruments should retain their originality, this set is 100% original. Only new heads were added, chivo on macho and mula on hembra. Thank God I don't need money (billete no necesito), I only put it out there because my 4 bedroom house with a pool will no longer be housing all my congas, bongos and timbales. I'l be going to an apartment and if I show up with 12 congas, 6 pairs of bongos and 3 pairs of timbales no one in their right mind will rent to me. These are life cycles we all go through, sometimes you have to let go of your treasures. La vida es una caja de sorpresas.

Dario

Sin duda! La vida te da sorpresas! The bongo is a beaut, but it's just a material item, the love of the music and playing is something nobody can take away!