congaplace.com

Here are mine, circa 1967. Old style center piece, two rectangular blocks, and original factory made Cuban style LP bottoms. To me this is like a 5 year old in a candy store. Light weight and incredible sound. A collector's orgasm. (Galagarza U THE MAN).
I know Markito has one in prestine condition as well. I think Docarroyo has one also. Showcase your throphies so the conga world can see and learn some interesting facts about LP before Thailand. Made in good old AMERICANA.

Dario

I've had mine since early 70's and they traveled with me all over the world while I was in the NAVY for 20 years. They have played extensively in all types of music and have gotten many years of play. These are my second set of LP's from the early years I brought them at either Mannys or Sam ASH on 48th street brand new after I got my Mahogany set. I think they were about $150.00 which was alot considering Junior sold his congas at that time for about $150.00. But everyone was into LP at that time. They look a bit rough but those are battle scars and each nick and dent represents great memories for me. The color has darkened through the years I remember they were brighter when I first got them. I never new they were colectible but new they were desired since at gigs guys were always trying to buy or trade them from me. The bell you see in the photos is an old LP from the same time incredible sound. I used to say the wood was called Tiger wood until someone here told me they were refered to as Zebra wood and had them already for over 35 years your never to old to learn something new, and if you think you do know it all as many here do guess again, LOL. Have a great Thanksgiving or Dia De Gracias to ALL.

I'm feeling deprived

So am I - those Zebra beauties are real diamonds.
I cannot imagine that there are many of those around at all.
Rare beauties!

Dicemanb wrote:I'm feeling deprived

Y, of an audio clip. I mean, I love the drum porn as much as the next man (well maybe not as much as some) but it must be possible to let us hear these beauties in this day and age.

I don't mean to single you out Omelenko, but you do have some of the best...

Yes indeed!

Omelenko1 wrote:To me this is like a 5 year old in a candy store. Light weight and incredible sound. A collector's orgasm.

Dario, we would like to share all those feelings

Honestly, I wonder how different their sound is compared to mahogany PP bongos.

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

Way back I used to do R & D for OM Percussion( no longer in existence,) and played with different types of woods.
There are 3 types of Mahogany, the density for all three varies, Honduras, Philippine and African Mahogany the last being the hardest and less sound absorbent, Zebra wood is also very dense , so I would think they sound very similar, I think i have a small piece of Zebra in my stock. It is a very attractive wood. One thing tho hardwoods are heavier and take a toll on your tools.

Peace
Olsongo

Dandy with his Zebras, late 60's with Ray Barreto's band. Suena tu bongo' !

OLSONGO wrote:There are 3 types of Mahogany, the density for all three varies, Honduras, Philippine and African Mahogany the last being the hardest and less sound absorbent, Zebra wood is also very dense , so I would think they sound very similar, I think i have a small piece of Zebra in my stock. It is a very attractive wood. One thing tho hardwoods are heavier and take a toll on your tools. Peace Olsongo

Do not forget the most aftersought and the real McCoy mahogany, the mahogany that grows in Cuba and Hispaniola, nothing like it not even close.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahogany

The mahogany you refer to is Caoba, it grows trough out the Carribean and I belive Venezuela. I own and have owned several Caoba bongos and although I loved them I cant say that its the best. Its rareness and beauty makes it valued, just like Koa from the Pacific Islands. But I have drums made of different woods which offer better projection. You must also take into consideration the shape of the shells and also the skins used. Denser woods absorb tone less so theres better projection, a straight shell vs a conical gives different tones, bearing edges also helps determine tone. Then theres skins thinner vs thicker, bovine vs mule. There many factors involved in instrument making and your personal taste in musical and playing styles is the most important. I have a set of Cuban Vegara bongos (caoba solid shell) which Cali (JCR) loves and I use in small conjunto and trio settings, but when playing in a larger latin band or R&B ensemble they would get lost. Its just like heads alot of guys put down synthetic heads but when your a working musician doing five sessions a week in all types of weather nights in clubs days in studios it take a toll on your skins, nothing better than synthetics in my opinion. So to sum it it up the real deal and the best is in the ear of the player, setting, application, and of course the listener.

No problem Doc. I was not referring to the sound of the caoba as much as the beauty and rarity of the caoba wood. I owned (2) sets of them caribbean rhythms bongos made out of solid shell caoba and both sing, specially the macho.

I hope this isn't too off-topic. I don't have a zebrawood bongo to show, wish I did, mine are mahogany, the cajon is by SpiritInTheWood. But the table they are sitting on is zebrawood.

I bought that table and chairs about 15 years ago. I don't remember how much it cost but it wasn't very expensive. It is very heavy. It stays outside, uncovered, for about 9-10 months a year. It has been through every kind of weather you can imagine. When It gets dirty I clean it off with a hose. There is no finish on it and I have never put any oil on it. Every kind of food and drink has been spilled on it. The surface has faded a bit over the years from being out in the very intense Turkey sun but there are no dents and no cracks. I can't comment on it's sonic qualities but it sure is one hell of a wood.

Wow, that looks like an an awesome patio to sit and play bongos of an evening !

Barrie

Thanks Barrie - yes, it is an awesome place.

Hey Cadenza, If you are is Istanbul it is only a hop to Cappadocia - think about it. In the meantime, get a film called CROSSING THE BRIDGE, Netflix has it, it is about the music scene in Istanbul - but they left out the KUBA CLUB - a real Russian mafia Cuban bar in Istanbul. I will PM you with travel tips but the movie is good for all.