Meinl collection or freeride 400

[Victorius]

Helo!

I was wondering what's the different between collection and freeride 400 bongos of meinl. I know that first is made of white ash, but what's the different in practice. Is it much better or it's only a little! And what about the price? For example in Germany collection bongo is more expensive about 70 Euros. Is it worth this price?

And what about it in comparison to LP Gio's bongos?

[korman]

Meinl's 400's are made only with SSR rims (meinl's marketing name for comfort rims) whereas woodcrafts come with traditional rims.
If you're playing them between your legs, trad rims are more comfortable, weigh less, and supposedly ring less. If you only play on stand then it's not that important, I guess.

I own Meinls ash bongo and I quite like it. I had chance to play the 400 and in my opinion the difference is not big, but still you can notice that woodcraft projects slightly better and rings less.

[bongosnotbombs]

I have a woodcraft bongo and it's a great drum.

I much prefer the traditional rim over the ss confort curve rim.

The traditional rims are lighter and less wide, the ss rims make the drums wider.

Some people also think the ss curve add to the ringiness often heard in the hembra, but i don't have firsthand knowledge of that, so take it for what you will.

Meinl makes a good bongo! the freeride system is very sturdy.