Budding UK Bongocero would appreciate your wise words!

[Slothrop]

Hello Everyone,

I've been lurking around this forum for a week or so now, lapping up what I can. This is a good forum and I've enjoyed reading your passionate words!

I once owned a pair of unutterably awful bongos (£40 Staggs) which I loved to bits as a youngster. Now I want to study this instrument seriously and I have about £250 to spend ($404.57 apparently). I live in the UK so I don't have easy access to the bongos I would really love… Colombia Percussion (I'm half Colombian:), Gon Bops, Isla's etc. The shops in London tend to go with Meinl, LP…you know how it is.

I'd like to know whether you think the LP Galaxy Giovanni Series Wood bongos are a worthy investment. I was considering some Dandy's, but they are proving difficult to find.

What has just come up is a set of Tycoon Master Series Antique Finish Bongos on ebay for £120 (that's $193.96). Is anyone able to compare the Tycoon Masters to the LP Giovannis?

Please bear in mind that I am very eager to start playing as soon as possible…i.e within the next few days. I have rhythms chopping through my head and I reckon I'm driving a few people mad with the table-tapping and leg-slapping. Also, I'm going to be in Colombia within the year, when I will more than likely head down to a certain workshop to pick up some CPs.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated and I look forward to sharing my experiences with you all.

[caballoballo]

Welcome to the forun Slothrop. I know you are very anxious but I would suggest to way until you land in Colombia, there my choice would be 3A Percussion Bongos instead of CP, I have own Cp and currently hace a 3A. Cp are solid piece and when they crack is difficult to repair. Also you have El Piernas, good sound but heavy weight although by been there you may find one not too heavy.

As you have read on this forum,there are some very fine artisans who can make you a great Bongo but you have to wait for them to finish your order.

Of the Bongos you mentioned the Giovanny has the worse bearing edge (Iron pot style ) I have play and the factory skins are only good to hold nuts and bolts so you end investing more on better skins. The Dandy is a lot better with superior skins but also have a flat bearing edge but more comfortable to the hands than the giovany. You may be able to order a set of Matador Custom Bongos, they are cheap and with a good set of skins will do the job. That way you could calm your anxiety and way until you go to Colombia or order one from a respectable Artisan which are listed in many post here in the forum .

[Slothrop]

Thank you for your advice Caballo. Much appreciated. I am in the fortunate position that by the time I reach Colombia I will be able to invest again in a great set. Quite possibly a 3A Percussion set

In the meantime though I'd like the best set I can get at the moment. The Dandy isn't too likely to happen here, unfortunately.

Does anyone have any experience of Tycoon Master Series?
Or the LP Generation III?

[niallgregory]

Hi Slothrop , welcome to the forum .There are lots of really good drums than can be bought from all the main drum stores including the makes you mentioned i.e toca , meinl , lp , pearl . I recently bought a set of pearl folkloric bongo for a very reasonable price .Beautifully made drums with very good heads .I would be inclined to buy one of these if i where you , i would also be inclined to replace the macho head with a good remo synthetic skin . Ideally hide is the way to go but in this part of world they are just impossible to get and as we all know you replace the heads on a regular basis . You will get a cracking sound with a pair of high end factory manufactured drums with decent heads .You could always pick up some artisan drums and some amazing hides when you get to colombia . Enjoy your bongo journey man

[Anonimo]

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[Slothrop]

Again, thank you all.

I think for the moment I will pick up an LP or Tycoon set that is within my range. I am a novice and so it will really be a good thing to learn on a high end factory produced drum. Then, when I've earned my stripes I will invest in an artisan drum.

I'll be posting again soon with my progress.

Out of curiosity, what do you lot all play at present? And where did you start out

[Anonimo]

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[Slothrop]

Leedy,

Where in the world are you?
It is a shame that there is no money there for the true bongocero (and true musician in general), but in some way I suppose it might be good that money is seperated from music. Certainly in England money and music mix badly in the mainstream. Seldom do we see on television or hear on radio the likes of those who are discussed on this forum. We have empty "talent" shows instead. But we find our joy searching the internet for the many, many diamonds that are out there in the rough. This forum in particular has been a gold mine and has certainly opened my eyes.

It is always a shame though when the true artist cannot live off of their art.

I have always felt it, but only now am I really beginning to comprehend the true voice of the bongocero.
And now I find myself searching the city so that I might see real musicianship in person.

Does anyone know of any bongoceros in London?

[niallgregory]

Hi Slothrop , One of the best bongoceros currently playing at the moment in the uk ( London ) is Dave pattmann . He plays with snowboy and dilanga rumba .He has played with anga diaz and cachaito lopez , omara purtoundo etc .I have the pleasure of learning from him and hearing him play a few years ago .Nice bloke and a top player .He knows his shit !

[Psych1]

Hello Sothrop, Welcome. You found the right place!

IMO the best of the new LP line is the "Dandy". Any shop that sells LP should be able to get one for you. But, there are a lot of others. that you can't go wrong with, and could always sell later. No one here has mentioned the rims - I recommend sticking with traditional rims and stay away from the comfort curve that so many now have.

Enjoy the trip!

[Anonimo]

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