congaplace.com

I’ve been playing TIMBA bongos for more than two years, 9” Hembra. As you may know, the’re going out of business. http://www.timbapercussion.com/ The original skin is best on the Hembra – a strong flat “thud”, no ring. I use a Remo Newskin as a backup. I use a Remo Fiberskin on the Macho for the best sound projection. I play behind a LOUD salsa DJ. It’s amazing how my unmiked bongos still project on the dance floor. Far and away the best bongos I’ve ever played.
Any New/other opinions on TIMBA bongos? Straight from the shoulder/ the truth! I can take it!
I’ve been thinking about JCR’s. Any opinions between the two? Thanks – Bennett.

I've never played timbas but I've heard they sound great if you can get away from the problems they had separating. Some of the early congas the wood apparantly was not cured right and the staves were separating, customer service in these cases was reported to be horrible. Didn't know they were going out of business though.
PC

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Thanks so much for your responses! Readers, please keep more coming- Bennett.

I've had this set here for at least 5 years now, might be a bit longer I can't remember, they have been fine drums, loud voiced, comfortable to play and have experienced no problem with them as far as quality of build. They have a louder, deeper voice than the JCR's pictured with them but I'm completely happy with both, the JCR's are very traditional sounding, bright and cutting. I have a medium thin bleached steer on the macho and a thicker, recycled mule on the hembre, I like these for funk etc. The JCR's have mule on both, the macho is perfect, I believe the hembre could be switched out to a cow for a deeper thud, but it's not a big issue, I'll do it when I can use the thin mule on another macho, perhaps an interchangeable spare for the timbas.

I've heard a lot about quality issues and Timbas but can only speak of my own experience and I've never regretted picking these up. I went after these when I learned they were styled after Mongo's set that Dario has. Both my sets have 9" hembre's.

Barrie

Thanks so much Barrie - Just the information I've been looking for. Thanks again for taking the time - Any other readers, please keep it comming - Bennett.

Cyrus at Bongomania.com loves his.

http://www.bongomania.com/eng/articles/ ... html#galax

I got mine through Cyrus, great guy.

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Wow! What a website! Tremendous depth of knowledge and a kick ass helpful community. I’m a NY Jew living in California. Different generations – My Dad always had his Italians, I’ve always had my Puerto Ricans. Afro-Cuban – “like this rhythm there is no other”. Thanks again, keep JCR/Timba opinions coming.

Barrientos, the owner of Timba, mentioned that he catered his bongos after the Gonzalo Vergara Cuban design. Attached find Mongo's Vergara bongos with 9" hembra (made in 1954 per Willie Bobo's instructions). These are a solid piece of Cuban caoba (no staves). I think Timba bongos are staves and not solid. Timba design does resemble Mongo's Vergara somewhat.

Dario

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leedy2 wrote:Timba Copied these bongos from Gon bops old designs that a 60s model not from Vergara someone b s you with that story.nothing to do with Mongo.

Leedy, I believe that Omelenko is just mentioning the fact that Mongo owned these bongos not that he, Mongo, had anything to do with the shape/design of the Timbas.

With the 9in hembre and the overall look in the poolside picture, I am happy in the knowledge that these are a somewhat close approximation of a set of bongos that Mongo played, regardless of whether the history of their design is fact or folklore. It's no doubt as close as I will ever get to owning a real set of Vergaras!

Barrie

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