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Posted: **Fri Aug 10, 2007 1:00 am**

I'm new, so I apologize for asking for something this early. I'm trying to find out about this set that I have.

My father gave these to me, and I plan to have them restored. He believes they are cuban, and from the 40's. The only markings are the number "12" on the top and bottom rims of the macho. The washers on the bottom are obviously not original. I wish this bongo could talk. Anyone have any input?

Posted: **Fri Aug 10, 2007 1:07 am**

Candido Requena made these, im quite sure. and it is a nice set, at that.

Way to go, he was the man on Bongo in Cuba in the 40's, 50's

He was the first to make the tunable metal hardware we all use today.

Ask Dario, he knows much more about him than i.

Tony

Posted: **Fri Aug 10, 2007 1:09 am**

Caribbean cedar, probably

Posted: **Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:42 pm**

Those bongos were made by Candido Requena,like Tony said in the early 50's. Requena was the bongocero for the Casino De La Playa Orchestra in Havana in the 40's,he was also an artisan that made bongos and congas. There was another artisan by the name of Gonzalo Vergara,who also made bongos and congas. In my opinion,Vergara made a higher end product than Requena,Vergara's bongos were made out of Cahoba and were one solid piece,Requena's bongos like yours are staves and were made out of Cedro (cedar). As far as sound,they both sound incredible. I don't think there is a bongo' today that sounds as good as a Requena or a Vergara. Saludos, Dario

Enclosed:
One of two Requena bongos that I have.
Mongo's Vergara bongo', solid Cahoba 1954. I got it from Mongo.

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... equena.jpg

Posted: **Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:50 pm**

My Requena # 2. Dario

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... ongo_2.jpg

Posted: **Fri Aug 10, 2007 5:52 pm**

Mongo's Vergara 1954. Solid Cahoba

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... _Mongo.jpg

Posted: **Fri Aug 10, 2007 6:09 pm**

My recommendation. Take the Requena to Cali Rivera (JCR),since you are in NY. Cali is in the Bronx, near Yankee Stadium. Have Cali or his assistant, who is a mean timbalero,reinforce the Requena hardware. Cali is the best guy in the world,and for us pecussionists, his place is like a museum. He's got photos of every major percussionist. I gave him a few Mongo photos,Tata and Changuito photos. Cali reinforced my Requenas (hardware) and have him chrome plate them for you. You are going to spend some bucks, but you are going to have the best sounding bongos in the Apple. While there,have Cali mount some mule skins on them.

SONERITO,SUENA TU BONGO'. Dario

Edited By Omelenko on 1186769875

Posted: **Fri Aug 10, 2007 6:30 pm**

Is the Indian not the arrow. Why are those Bongos the best sounding ever made ? JCRs & JR tirado as well as some Colombian like edison Pasterizo Bongó are made of solid wood not staves. So why are the requena the best ? Hard to convince me.

Posted: **Fri Aug 10, 2007 6:57 pm**

Caballo, tu eres mi socio. Aside from that, I loved Junior, I have his congas and bongo. Junior made staves not solid bongos. I love Cali I have his bongos,his are solid. They all followed the Vergara tradition. Mongo's Vergara are from 1954, that makes them 53 yrs. young. You have said many times in your posts that vintage wood bongos are like "old wine or cognac",like your Piernas,because the wood is perfectly cured. I know is not the arrow,but the indian. However, I doubt any solid bongo made today sounds better than Mongo's solid Vergara's that are 53 years old, y estan curao' esta los cojones !

Te quiero asere. PR y Cuba, tesoros del Caribe. Pasteles,frituras, yuca y tostones. Sabrosuras.

Dario

Posted: **Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:03 pm**

PRDRconguero wrote:

Man, look at those wing-nuts used for tuning! I've never seen those before!

You'll have to use pliers or a vise grip to tune this baby. I guess an open wrench will work too.

Edited By mjtuazon on 1186776597

Posted: **Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:26 pm**

Omelenko,tranquilo,sabia que te agitaria enseguida. Hay que tirar la pulla para darle candela al asunto. Now for the english speaking,Omelenko,relax,I knew you would get hot because of my coment. Yes vintage is apart from the rest, I know now that I can see the pictures that those Bongos in the hand of a skillfull player are a killer,I wonder how they will look after restoration and with a set of mule skins. The owner is lucky to have that treasure. Talking about wine, I have started to look at a bottle I got over the counter.

Este montunito esta pa servir agua por seña por que de Borinquen es la Ceiba y de Cuba la Siguaraya.

Posted: **Sat Aug 11, 2007 1:15 am**

Omelenko wrote:My recommendation. Take the Requena to Cali Rivera (JCR),since you are in NY. Cali is in the Bronx, near Yankee Stadium. Have Cali or his assistant, who is a mean timbalero,reinforce the Requena hardware. Cali is the best guy in the world,and for us pecussionists, his place is like a museum. He's got photos of every major percussionist. I gave him a few Mongo photos,Tata and Changuito photos. Cali reinforced my Requenas (hardware) and have him chrome plate them for you. You are going to spend some bucks, but you are going to have the best sounding bongos in the Apple. While there,have Cali mount some mule skins on them.

SONERITO,SUENA TU BONGO'. Dario

Thank you everyone for all the input. It's really interesting to know what history is behind these drums.

My father knows Cali, and has had him do some work for him. I think I'm going to swing by JCR soon and drop them off. I am looking forward to meeting Cali, which I have yet to do. I think the cost of restoration will be well worth it.

A good friend of mine needs a bongo bell. Anyone know how much Cali's run?

Posted: **Sat Aug 11, 2007 2:24 am**

Aloha PRDRconguero,

Beautiful Bongo's. I also like your Avatar you're using. I have that Kandis Cota painting hanging in my house!

Keep on Poundin :cool:

... Aloha, maSSivdrums

Posted: **Sat Aug 11, 2007 4:54 am**

You can use an open-ended wrench to turn wingnuts.

However, if you are handy, you can make your own turning tool for less money and probably one that fits the wings of that nut tighter. Basically get a piece of thick metal plate (about the thickness of a wrench), and cut a long slot into one end. Like an open-ended wrench, but a slot that has just enough room for the wings.
Or make one similar to the tool in the link below (the one they sell will be for large cast wingnuts, not small hardware wingnuts like what's on that bongo):

http://www.wingkey.net/

Edited By Whopbamboom on 1186808338

Posted: **Sun Aug 12, 2007 9:18 pm**

i have been going thru this forum, and i have seen some nice bongos very very very rare. but i have to questions
1. is this a forum for collectors?
2. or is this a forum for bongo players?
i read everybody's replys and it looks like everybody is a collector. come on is time to hit them skind.BONGOS WERE DESING TO PLAY THEM.VERGARAS, JCRS, VALJES, CP BONGOS, ETC ETC ETC SOUND BETTER IF YOU PLAY THEM.IF YOU ARE SCARED BUY A CHIHUAHUA
JULITO
FT WORTH TX

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Bongo ID. Help! - Cuban, 1940's?