congaplace.com

A picture is worth a thousand words. I can't believe I have these! I will take better pics in the day light. Jacqui

very nice, had not seen any like that before. How do they sound?

Wow!!!! Where? How? Tell us more!

Wow, what strangeness. It looks like you can twist them around and separate them. Which brings up the question; Which is the Bong and which one is the Go

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

I saw Candito's in NYC when I visted my daughter about 4 years ago. This is the second one I've seen. I know they are very heavy.

Dario

Hey ...I found these on Craigslist....I was the first to respond to the ad. I was just hoping that they were the real deal because no pics were provided. An older gentleman was given them as a present 40 or so years ago. He was the sole owner. I really really got lucky on this one....seeing it very soon after it was posted. I know they are rare and I have def. never seen one ever. I was so excited when he pulled them out of his car and I saw the hardware. I will take more pics tomorrow. The skins are completely gone, dried, etc. Would love to have some advice as to what type of skin would be best for these. I know these helicopter type lugs don't have the greatest range for tuning...What would you experts suggest? They are heavy but not heavier than other bongos I have held. Anyway, I think they are in incredible condition. I am so happy about them I don't know how I will sleep. Anyway...I know Dario has seen one...have you seen any Leedy? Were they common in the NYC stores back in the day?

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

I saw those on CR and thought about it but I have to thin my heard out a bit. I had a set just like that I still have the conga with the same finish in Puerto Rico. I sold them in 78 I never got used to the wieght or discomfort but they sounded great as I remember they are very loud with a dynamic projection. Also one of the turnbuckles was wearing thin since I tuned them with a screw driver and the sharp edge on the tuning hole torn a pair of slacks while at a show, very embarising. But none the less a great set of bongo which are now very scarce enjoy them Jaqui. And be carful when you change the skins after struggling to get the skin on when trimmimg with a razor I cut too deep and ruined the head on the Hembra, LOL its funny the things you remember that you almost forgot.

So does anyone else have an Eco tone bongo? Have other forum members ever seen them or owned them? I would love to see more pics of them. The only one I am aware of other than my pics is the one posted by Dario. And Docarroyo if you ever want to sell that matching eco conga I would love to have a chance at it for a trade or sale. JAcqui

Very nice drums. I saw them too but you beat me to it!

Really busy...Here are some better pics:

Ecotones were fiberglass / kind of thin by todays standards and used parts that were seen in some avionics & marine applications w/ turn buckle tension rods. Simple tuning w/ a rod through the turn buckle but was awkward . Fiberglass shells can delaminate from heavy tensions & is why Lp had to thicken & re inforce the top portion of their glass shells. These bongos used thin heads as was common in the day with many models. Ecotone congas were COOL & King Kongas were also a great glass comga drum drum, but were built w/ left & right side shells fused into one shell, where Lp's and other Asian models like Zim Gar, Tocas etc used a top & bottom molded shell fused into one drum shell. Kings had a simular yet far stronger straight rod tuning system that tuned from the bottom like all other conventional types. I never saw King Kpmgas in a Bongo though !