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Hello Bongoceros,
I mounted new skins, ( Cow ) in July and play them regularly along with detuning after playing and have recently noticed what appears and feels to be either a buckle or wrinkle at the bearing edge of the Macho skin on my Bongos when they are relaxed.
When it is tuned for playing the wrinkle disolves and I it feels smooth to the touch. Also, the underside is smooth, unbroken all around. I keep the drums in their bongo bag in my prctice room with no exposure to the elements, and haven't done anything differently in my routine sonce mounting the new skins. However, three weeks ago, I got the opportunity to play with a renowned percussionist and his band and for that situation he recomended that I tune my Bongos Higher. Since he was trying them out and complimenting the skins, he tuned them himself and they sounded really good in that context. I didn't even need a Mic to be heard in the mix. I mentioned to him that I had never tuned them so high because of playing in accustic, small ensemble settings up to that point and he said that they could take it. Well, two weeks later I notice these, ( I don't want to say cracks ), wrinkles.
I'm not sure if this has anything to do with the wrinkles, but it's the only plausible thing that I could think of that could have had such an effect on the skins.

All thoughts, wisdoms or remedies are well appreciated,thanks!

Good Vebrations,
Blavonski

Hello Blavonski, I'll give it a go, other may differ.

Thoughts: I have had the same experience - many times. Every time I let a great bongo player near one of my prized bongos they crank the macho up way more than I usually do. When I start to hear that cracking sound I worry that the shell will crack, the skin will rip, the lugs will strip, and/or the crown will bend.

Wisdom: Well, they do sound better that way. And, good bongos can take the stress better than I can. Always detune.

Remedies: A good hembra skin will last for many years. Macho skins stretch out and need to be replaced much more often. I don't like the synthetic skins but they do sound good and behave better than animal skins. I often practice with a bongo-cajon, doesn't sound as good but easy and worry-free.

!! Don't worry, Be happy!!

Saludos,that have happens to me many times even with a new skin. The type of music I play(Salsa) demands a very high pitch from the macho and some times without warning a natural skin cracks.It is another reason of why I switch to sinthetics,they take a lot of tension and not crack in the midle of the gig.

Mount another macho skin, or buy one mounted, and carry either one or the other as a spare to all gigs. Tune up and play how it sounds best and when the skin rips, be sure you have your spare skin, a paper towel to clean the lug threads and your hands, and a wrench to quickly mount your spare. Don't use grease or manteca de corojo or anything to lubricate the macho skin at the bearing edge, that can soften it and reduce its lifespan. Macho skins rip, and yours may rip soon (or not) but for now, just play it.

Thanks for the replies!

What I gather from them is that there is no remedy and that, the skin will eventually tear.
Also, I think it is safe to assume that the damage was the result of the skin being suddenly and unusaully tightened as compared with a gradual higher tuning. If that is the case, then it is equally safe and wise to assume that the Percussionist was wrong in assuming that they could take the very high tuning all at once. Having a Mic would have very likely prevented the damage. I think I'll play it as suggested until it tears. That's a real drag though, it's not even six months old.

Good Vibrations,
Blavonski

Blavonsky, I keep all my bongos detune even the syntethic macho head because I find no reason to keep unnecessary tension on the shell. So, they are set that with two complete turns at once on the macho he is ready to go,the hembra is a matter of tuning to the acoustic of the club or the place where the gig is held or to your taste. IMHO a macho natural skin is going to rip apart soon or later regardless of easy tuning little by little or at once. Some will last longer as natural skins are a a surprise some times.

Saludos caballoballo,
I hear what your saying. I detune my Bongos after every playing. And my usual tuning on the Macho was at two revolutions, maybe another eighth or so depending on the atmosphere, but that Conga player cranked it up another two+ revs on top of that. At any rate, I'll eventually have to mount a new skin...live and learn, and I ain't lettin' knowbody else come colse to tuning my drums again but me!


Good Vibrations,
Blavonski

I encourage you to try skindeep from Remo. Trust me ,there should be no different in sound. I still have a bunch of ready mount natural skins and none of them will sound alike been the same color or thickness etc,etc. Some have a dull sound while skindeep always have the same color of sound and loudness. Also they last longer even if you go over the 2 1/5 of the turns or higher. Now,for the hembra a thick cow skin is my choice, a syntethic just can not provide the old school sound.

Yeah, I've read a lot people like the those remo heads, but I think I'll stick with the natural hides for now.

Good Vibrations,
Blavonski

In case this info is benneficial to others....

The former Congaplace member Leedy 2, commented on my video that the head is not damaged, but slightly over stretched and that it will not crack or tear. To maintain it, he suggested that I keep it taught, when not playing, but not tuned and to put Coco butter, or (what I have for it), Shea Butter on it from time to time. I've been doing that the past few days, the butter I applied only once, and everything is going smoothly. When I tune the head up for playing the wrinkles disapear as before and it is now smoother to the touch, no surface breaks at all, so I think this solution will do the trick. Needless to say, I'm very greatful for Leedy's volunteered, professional advice, because I was really drug about the prospect of having to mount a new skin anytime soon.

Good Vibrations,
Blavonski

Agreed, but I still think if bongo is your primary instrument you should carry a spare macho skin to all gigs.

Hello Jorge,
Alto Saxophone is my primary instrument. However, I have come to accept the reality that the Bongo will not be dissuaded in its reverberations towards winning my affections at becoming my other primary instrument. When and if I ever get to the point of playing enough gigs on Bongó that could jeapordize the life of my Macho skin, your recomendation is definately a sound one to keep in mind.

Good Vibrations,
Blavonski