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I have a set of LP Performer Bongos. I can replace the heads with Remo Nuskyns for about $35. Is that a good investment for these bongos? Or should I just hold off and get some higher level drums when I have the $$? I'm still stuck with the inferior hardware and the slightly smaller size. I've broken two lugs because the washers smash into the threads and then they don't turn very well.

You can get a used set of decent bongos really cheap nowadays on ebay, 75.00-100.00 for some matadors, I would suggest saving your money and getting a decent set.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BEAUTIFUL-MATAD ... 336fa085b4

http://www.ebay.com/itm/MATADOR-LP-WOOD ... 43abd85ea3

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Afro-Percussion ... 336f991c9b

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Older-LP-GALAXY ... 4cfcad66b2

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Matador-Bongos- ... 3a6e09fabb

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Cosmic-Percussi ... 2eba014e23

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Percussion-/101 ... 581&_pgn=2

Just a sampling!!

I have a few of those on my watch list right now!!! I'm eye-ing up the matadors in natural finish. That's my 2nd option. thanks.

The matadors are soild, they will be a huge upgrade from the performers.

Saludos Busyflyin,
I'm not certain if you ever expressed your skill level on bongos whether it is beginner, intermediate or advanced but If you're interested in purchasing a higher end set of bongos may I suggest to try and contact this person:
(Naty Rocha Galvez <naty8324@hotmail.com>)
Her father is Hector Rocha and he is the founder of the HR "EL PIERNAS" percussion line. It would help you a great deal if you can communicate in Spanish to let her know what you wish to purchase. I've included a photo of the set I'm about to purchase in January 2012. Bear in mind there was a logistical problem this year getting her inventory up to stock but just recently she had contacted me to see if I still wanted the bongos I had ordered from her way back in February. The whole deal is at a cost of $250, well at least this is the selling price she gave me. With that price I'll get the set of bongos, a bell with a beater and a soft padded case. I've included a photo that she had sent me of the set I wanted. This may be an option you may seek if you can swing the money amount. Shipping may be a little extra. Past reference reviews of this brand of bongo listed on this forum was of good quality but may crack due to changes in weather (colder climates). This is only to give you an idea of the tech specs so to speak of the brand. I personally like what I've read from past threads and have always wanted a handmade non-mass produced instrument and this fits my preferances well enough to take a shot at this brand of bongo. Good luck in your final decision. Peace,

Jorge

Saludos,

Here's my opinion , it really depends how much you are gonna play, the performer series aren't that bad, I had a set with fiberskyn and they sounded pretty good. A matador is a good workhorse set but eventually your gonna have to upgrade the heads just like the performer series.. a HR el piernas bongo is top of line bongo but that's really for the professional\expert bongosero (in most cases)... I would just upgrade the heads.. depending on your situation...

I found a great deal on some heads so I'm going to give those a try. Nothing ventured.. nothing gained I guess. If these don't work I'll buy a new set of Volcanos with that extra $1,000 I have stuffed under the bed

OK... that didn't work so well.. Anyway, I found both heads, Remo Skyndeeps at SamAsh for just a tad under $30.

busyflyin wrote:for just a tad under $30.

Not too bad, a good deal... they're the skyndeep S-series right?

S - series in deed. I am trying to keep this real. I'm 55 yrs old and in a band that plays a larger variety of music and I use a variety of instruments from congas to bongos, cajon, djembe, plus other smaller instruments. I also play harmonica and occasionally play guitar. I am the jack of all trades and master of none! I am not a hard core bonguero or conguero, but I do like to play. Truth is that the band doesn't know the difference between mule skins and deer hide as long as it makes a sound that resembles a hand drum. We are not professionals and play many gigs for free ie; Relay for Life (cancer), Hospice, church gigs, etc. Once in a while we actually get paid!! So I need to invest in my equipment wisely. But my bongos are the weak link right now and tuning them isn't making any difference. I paid $40 for them on CL and don't have much of an investment into them. I'll post my "opinions" after I receive them and get them mounted up.. should be a week or so. If it doesn't work out I'll donate them to a neighboring church and then go get those Volcanos!! Actually at that point I'll go with some used Matadors.

Busyflyin:

I think u made the right choice, u don't need a $400+ bongo for a group that isn't going to be using bongo patterns for every song... however $1,000 for a volcano bongó? Hmm I don't wanna offend volcano or its endorsers, but i'd rather buy a $300 bongo and donate\sponsor the rest to childrens fund..my 2cents

That was a good deal for your set because of the diameter of your set's shells. In my particular case I had to opt for the R Series which was more expensive and for the larger diameters of the LP Dandy's I own, but great sounding heads nonetheless.