Best Bongos to go for – Pearl/Meinl models

[manteca]

Looking at getting some new bongos and I've kind of got it done to these few -

Pearl Bobby Allende Bongos

Pearl Elite Series Mahogany Bongos

Meinl Fibercraft Designer Series Bongos

Anyone got any of these and how have you found them?

[caballoballo]

Saludos, once I bought a pearl elite fiberglass type, could not make it sound to my taste because of the fiberglass. Pearls are well made with strong hardware. Meinl, I do not like that middle metal piece that they claim make the sound better, BS, playing in the middle of the band you will not notice any different, also their wood is too thin. In Both of them you have to invest on new skins adding to the price. Would be wiser to buy a Matador CUSTOM, cost less and with the right type of skins will sound great.

[manteca]

Saludos, once I bought a pearl elite fiberglass type, could not make it sound to my taste because of the fiberglass. Pearls are well made with strong hardware. Meinl, I do not like that middle metal piece that they claim make the sound better, BS, playing in the middle of the band you will not notice any different, also their wood is too thin. In Both of them you have to invest on new skins adding to the price. Would be wiser to buy a Matador CUSTOM, cost less and with the right type of skins will sound great.

Thanks Caballoballo.

The Pearl Bobby Allende Bongos come with Remo Fibreskyns as standard so would fine with those skins.

I might need to changed the skins on the Pearl Elite Series Mahogany Bongos if I went with them, probably to Remo Fibreskyns, and they are a little more than the Bobby Allende to start with.

The Bobby Allende are fibreglass compared to the Pearl Elite in Mahogany (bonded with an inner layer of para wood) – not sure if fiberglass bongos, even of this quality, would outlast the mahogany, which is another consideration?

[caballoballo]

Manteca,yes you are correct about the fiberglass longevity but wood Bongos have the old school sound,fiberglass has more volume but lacks that low end tone provided by wood. Also wood will last if it is treated with care. I have and El Piernas Bongó from the early 80s and also an Lp from the New Jersey palisades era ,both are wood made. Fyberskins are good for the Macho but their sound on the Hembra does not compare to a natural thick cow,mule or steer skin.

[congabonga]

I disagree with the person who said that the Meinl shells are too thin.
I WANTED thin -- after all it doesn't have a resonant shell as big as a conga or a bigger head putting out more sound pressure. . . so why should bongos be thick shelled? I don't think they should.
I bought a set of those discontinued Meinl FWB300 NT bongos and was very glad to find that they had thinner shells when they arrived. I think Meinl knows what they are doing.

These Meinl's are deluxe, with the traditional hoops which are always extra cash, even select cow hide heads and that shell isolating joiner is a great idea too. Deluxe sound too that will only get better.

there are a few pairs left at only $100 at
greenbriarmusic.com

These Meinl's are one of the underpriced deals of the decade and an incredible set for someone low on cash and a set you won't outgrow.

Terry
Valje Tumba, Gon Bops Quinto, gon Bops bass bongo and Meinl bongos.

All I need now is a Gon Bops Super Quinto or "requinto" with a 9.75" head

[caballoballo]

Welcome to the forum congbonga. If you ever get a hand on a boutique type Bongó they are about 5/8" to some times 1"thick. For example Moperc makes the Macho shell 1" thick & very close to a 3/4"" Hembra. El Piernas make them 3/4" thick just to mention a few top brands,also I have one made by Timbas del Valle which is 5/8" thick. For the music (salsa) which I have play for many years the Macho requires a very high pitch and tension so one Bongó too thin will not last long. Your opinion is respected as we individuals have our own likes and dislikes. Enjoy your Bongó